The Athletic NBA Daily Upside down night in the NBA + LeBron keeps streak alive
Dec 2, 2025
Hunter Patterson, NBA reporter for The Athletic covering the Detroit Pistons, shares insights after Detroit's thrilling win over the Hawks. He dives into the team's unconventional closing lineup and the emerging connection between Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. The discussion also highlights the Pistons’ top-ranked defense, featuring key blocks and defensive strategies. Patterson assesses Detroit's playoff potential and future, while the hosts celebrate LeBron James's impressive scoring streak.
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Upset Night Shifted Expectations
- Upset night flipped expectations as several strong teams lost to weaker opponents.
- Dave DuFour and Zena Keita highlight unpredictability across multiple games as a theme.
Veterans Salvage A Surprising Win
- The Bucks loss to Washington reflected veterans stepping up when Giannis struggled.
- Zena notes Chris Middleton and C.J. McCollum delivered clutch plays to secure the win.
Back-to-Backs Hurt Momentum
- Houston looked out of sorts after a blowout win, showing how back-to-backs disrupt rhythm.
- Zena stresses fatigue and Keonte George's poor follow-up game as key factors.