Hield helps Warriors bounce back from lopsided losses with 107-104 win over Pistons

In the United States, on Thursday night, January 9, 2025, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Detroit Pistons in a much-needed match after suffering two consecutive home losses. The Warriors had previously dropped games against the Miami Heat by a margin of 16 points and suffered a significant defeat against the Sacramento Kings, losing by 30 points. The game against the Pistons wasn’t straightforward, as the Warriors had to fend off a late push from Detroit, which saw them leading by as much as 18 points during the game. Buddy Hield played a crucial role in the Warriors' performance, scoring 19 points to help the team navigate through the challenges posed by the Pistons. While Golden State struggled initially, they managed to regain their competitive spirit as emphasized by coach Steve Kerr, who noted a lack of this quality in previous outings. In the game, despite Stephen Curry having an off night with only 17 points, other players stepped up, with Trayce Jackson-Davis contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dennis Schroder and Gui Santos each added 13 points while Lindy Waters scored 11, demonstrating the bench strength of the team. On the opposing side, Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with an impressive 32 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Malik Beasley also stood out, scoring 21 points but struggled with his 3-point shooting, hitting only 4 out of 14 attempts. The Pistons were looking to extend their winning streak as they entered the game having won five straight matches, but the defeat lowered their record back to .500. The absence of Jaden Ivey, who was out due to a broken leg, was felt as the Pistons tried to compensate for his scoring abilities. The key moment in the game unfolded in the fourth quarter when Draymond Green made an impact with a dunk, a charge drawn against rookie Ron Holland, and a crucial assist to Hield for a 3-pointer that pushed the Warriors ahead 92-78. The game concluded with Malik Beasley missing a 3-point attempt just before the buzzer, which could have sent the game into overtime. Overall, the victory was vital for the Warriors as they looked to break out of a rough patch following an impressive 12-3 start to the season that saw them falter by losing 15 out of their last 21 games.