Lions and Pistons win by double digits on same day for the first time since 1973

Teammates congratulate Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
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DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons each won by double digits on the same day Sunday, the first time that’s happened since October 1973.

It’s also the first time the Lions and Pistons beat teams over .500 on the same day since December 2010, and the first time they won on the same day -- period -- since November 2017. Bally Sports Detroit tweeted those factoids from the folks over at Sportradar.

The Lions handled the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals 30-12 in Week 15, their second win in three weeks. The Pistons beat the Miami Heat 100-90, snapping their brutal 14-game losing streak.

Lions coach Dan Campbell perhaps said it best after his team’s win:

“Hey man. Welcome to Detroit. Welcome to Detroit.”

On October 28, 1973, the Pistons beat the Seattle SuperSonics 115-93 while the Lions blanked the Green Bay Packers 34-0. The Pistons, led by Davie Bing and Bob Lanier, went 52-30 that season, making the playoffs, losing in seven games to the Chicago Bulls in the first round. Those Lions finished 6-7-1, missing the postseason, with Bill Munson and Greg Landry sharing quarterback duties.

It’s been a tough stretch for fans of Detroit-based teams, without question, so take this as a little gift heading into the holiday season. The Pistons (5-24) head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday, while the Lions (2-11-1) head to Seattle in Week 16.

Related headlines:

Watch a fired-up Dan Campbell celebrate Lions’ upset win against Cardinals: ‘Welcome to Detroit’

Lions grades: Detroit’s defense stifles Arizona Cardinals every step of the way in 30-12 win

Saddiq Bey, Pistons sink timely shots to stave off Heat

Pistons snap 14-game skid, down Heat 100-90

Don’t worry about the draft pick. The Lions needed a culture change, and they’re getting it under Dan Campbell. (column)

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