Suns top Pistons for franchise-record 18th straight win
The Phoenix Suns are now riding the longest winning streak in franchise history and own the best record in the NBA after topping the Detroit Pistons 114-103 on Thursday for their 18th straight victory.
The 19-3 Suns had seven players score in double digits in the absence of star guard Devin Booker, who suffered a left hamstring injury in the second quarter of Tuesday's victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson led the home team with 19 points apiece off the bench as part of a 48-point haul by Phoenix's reserves. Deandre Ayton added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting along with 12 rebounds and Chris Paul had 12 points and 12 assists.
Jerami Grant led all scorers with 34 points and six boards in a losing effort for the Pistons. First overall pick Cade Cunningham added 19 points and five assists for Detroit.
The Suns shot 76% in the second quarter and commanded a 69-51 lead at halftime before the Pistons narrowed the advantage with a 17-0 run in the third quarter. Cunningham made a three to make it 80-79 for the Suns before Payne made two free throws and Landry Shamet sunk a triple to stop Detroit's rally.
Phoenix hasn't lost since Oct. 27 when Harrison Barnes drilled a 3-pointer as time expired to guide the Sacramento Kings to a 110-107 victory.
The Suns' streak surpasses the franchise's 17-game run from 2006-07. The team finished that season with the second-best record in the Western Conference (61-21) before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs.
Next up for Phoenix is a trip to the Bay Area to face the 18-3 Warriors on Wednesday.