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Recap: Spurs defeat Pistons in potential NBA Finals preview

Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to open a three-game night.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs defeated the Pistons to open our doubleheader on Peacock.

What we know about Monday’s games:

  • The Spurs defeated the Pistons 114-103 to open our Peacock doubleheader, as Victor Wembanyama (21 pts, 17 reb, 6 blk) out-battled Jalen Duren (25 pts, 14 reb, 2 blk) in the paint to lead San Antonio to its ninth straight win.
  • The Rockets beat the Jazz 125-105 behind Jabari Smith Jr. (31 pts) and Amen Thompson (20 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl).

FEBRUARY 24 // 12:05 ET

Monday’s results

Victor Wembanyama (21 pts, 17 reb, 6 blk) is your top performer of the evening.

FEBRUARY 23 // 11:58 ET

Rockets defend home court

125-105,  as Jabari Smith Jr. (31 pts) and Amen Thompson (20 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl on 7-of-9 shooting) dominated for Houston.

Lauri Markkahen (29 pts) was the leader for the Jazz, while Brice Sensabaugh (26 pts) racked up points off th bench.

The Jazz were 8-of-44 (18.2%) from 3-point range on the night.

“We could never settle ourselves down,” said Coach Will Hardy, noting the team couldn’t make above-the-break 3-pointers, opening up the fast break for Houston.

Kevin Durant added 18 points and 12 assists for Houston. He’s had 12+ assists 11 times in his illustrious career.

FEBRUARY 23 // 11:28 ET

One time for Wemby

Legendary company for the French superstar, who’s led the Spurs to nine straight wins.

FEBRUARY 23 // 11:14 ET

Amen stays smooth

Rockets up 89-63 over the Jazz with 3:26 to go in the third on Peacock. Houston’s locked in so far tonight, shooting 60.6% from the field.

FEBRUARY 23 // 10:44 ET

Rockets up at the half

68-47, as they’ve controlled the contest against the Jazz so far on Peacock.

Jabari Smith Jr. (22 pts on 9-of-11 shooting, 6 reb) has it going so far, countering Lauri Markkanen (18 pts).

The Rockets are shooting 64% from the field so far in H-Town.

FEBRUARY 23 // 10:31 ET

Kings defeat Grizzlies

123-114 on the road.

Russell Westbrook (25 pts, 7 ast) and Precious Achiuwa (22 pts, 12 reb) led the way for Sacramento, while Daequan Plowden and DeMar DeRozan added 19 points apiece.

Javon Small (21 pts on 6-of-8 shooting) led six Grizzlies in double figures in the loss.

FEBRUARY 23 // 9:55 ET

Spurs take it in Detroit

114-103 to open our Peacock doubleheader.

Victor Wembanyama (21 pts, 17 reb, 4 ast, 6 blk) was a force, while his teammates rained from 3-point range (18-of-40, 45%) to take control of the contest in the second half.

“We knew they were going to be a challenge. They’re a great team, with a great coach,” said Devin Vassell, who led the Spurs in scoring (28 pts). “We’re super-talented. We’ve got many great players… We all play for each other, we’re super-humble, and all we want to do is win.”

Jalen Duren (25 pts, 14 reb, 2 blk) held his own in the battle of All-Star centers, while Cade Cunningham (16 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast) ground his way through a tough battle.

But the Pistons shot just 7-of-36 (19.4%) from 3-point range, giving the Spurs the advantage.

FEBRUARY 23 // 9:39 ET

Wemby protects the rim

The NBA’s block leader (2.7 blk) is at it again, as San Antonio leads Detroit in the fourth quarter.

FEBRUARY 23 // 9:19 ET

Papa Pippen would be proud

Scotty Pippen Jr. (2 pts, 7 ast, 5 stil) is stuffing the stat sheet.

But the Kings are up 63-61 as the second half begins in Memphis.

FEBRUARY 23 // 8:58 ET

The Spurs in sequence

Wemby’s fluidity here is “unbelievable,” as Austin Rivers put it.

Get to Peacock for this potential NBA Finals preview!

FEBRUARY 23 // 8:50 ET

Maximum! Effort!

Oliver-Maxence Prosper puts up a 76.9 on the Dunk Score scale — tops on the evening.

FEBRUARY 23 // 8:15 ET

Spurs up 57-55 at the half

After a gritty, physical first half.

Devin Vassell (18 pts on 6-of-8 shooting, 5 3PM) powered the San Antonio offense, while Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 6 ast) and Ronald Holland II (11 pts) ground it out for Detroit.

The Spurs are 11-of-22 from 3-point range so far, but the Pistons have a 34-20 advantage in points in the paint.

Stephon Castle (4 pts, 6 ast) contributed two at the rack here.

FEBRUARY 23 // 7:30 ET

Cade’s two-way impact on display early

23-21 Pistons with 3:03 to go in the first quarter on Peacock.

Ronald Holland II leads Detroit with 9 points, but Cade Cunningham (3 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast) turned in this fabulous sequence earlier.

FEBRUARY 23 // 6:30 ET

Two of the league’s best teams go at it

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are in Detroit to take on the Pistons tonight in a clash of two of the league’s top teams.

  • When: 7 ET
  • Where to Watch: Peacock

The Detroit Pistons (42-13) are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, boasting the NBA’s second-best net rating (+8.5) and second-best defensive rating (108.3). They’re delivering typical Detroit basketball — hard-nosed, tough, physical — featuring the skill of a talented playmaker.

Taking on the legacy of stars like Dave Bing and Isiah Thomas, Cade Cunningham (25.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 9.8 ast, 46.3 FG%) has become one of the league’s top offensive engines. He’s first in the league in total assists, 15th in points per game and seventh in fourth quarter scoring.

He’s also a stalwart, physical defender, holding opposing shooters to 42.9 FG%.

Following their leader, the Pistons get after it — they’re tied for second in fast break points (18.4) and second in points in the paint (57.1), imposing their will with energy and strength. They also lead the league in blocks (6.3) and steals (10.6) per game.

The San Antonio Spurs (40-16) are No. 2 in the Western Conference, standing at fourth in net rating (+6.6) and third in defensive rating (110.7).

Victor Wembanyama (24.3 ppg, 11.2 reb, 2.7 blk) is the latest brilliant center for the Spurs. He has the best personal defensive rating in the NBA (102.3), as well as the best defensive rebounding percentage (33.6), exerting control in the paint.

Wemby put up 16 points and 12 rebounds in his only game against the Pistons, on Jan. 10, 2024. He faces fellow All-Star Jalen Duren tonight in a clash of two of the league’s top bigs.

Cunningham, who put up 25 points and 12 assists in his only career matchup against the Spurs on Feb. 21, 2025, will battle the stalwart Stephon Castle.

Which of these top teams will come out victorious tonight?

FEBRUARY 23 // 6:00 ET

A special HBCU broadcast for Kings-Grizzlies

FEBRUARY 23 // 5:30 ET

Welcome to a three-game night in the NBA!

Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs take on Jalen Duren’s Pistons in the opening half of our Peacock doubleheader.

We have a Peacock doubleheader for you tonight, featuring Spurs-Pistons (7 ET) and Jazz-Rockets (9:30 ET).

Here’s the complete schedule:

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