DETROIT, Michigan− With both teams playing their second straight night, the Detroit Pistons (5-14) hosted the reigning NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers (14-5). Both teams came into the matchup looking to rebound from road losses on Wednesday; the Pistons let a late single-digit lead turn into a 15 point-blowout loss to the Cavs, while the Lakers dropped a devastating, 1-point loss in Philadelphia.
With about seven minutes to go and a 1-point Pistons’ lead, forward Blake Griffin drew a one-on-one matchup with Montrezl Harrell. Griffin used a size-up dribble, stepped back, and drilled a momentum seizing three-pointer, putting the Pistons ahead by 4. The Pistons were able to ride that momentum to a 16-0 run to put the game away, defeating the Lakers 107-92.
In Blake Griffin’s first game back from injury, the star forward was the top performer for the Pistons. His 23 points led the team, while also adding 6 assists and 2 rebounds. Drawing the defensive matchup with LeBron, he played a crucial role down the stretch as the Pistons put away the reigning champs. After a strong performance in the first half, Griffin held LeBron to just 1 made shot on his last 12 attempts.
The Pistons move ahead of the Wizards in the Eastern Conference standings; they now sit at 14th. With the Lakers loss and Clippers win, the two LA teams are tied for 2nd in the West.
LeBron starts strong, struggles after halftime
With Anthony Davis missing the game with a bruised quad, the Lakers needed a stellar performance from LeBron to win on the road. He came out firing, finishing the first half with 20 points and the Lakers holding a 2-point lead.
However, the second half was another story. The Pistons held LeBron to just 2 points for the rest of the game, leaving the Lakers looking for another player to control the offense. Unfortunately for them, they could not find that player. Kyle Kuzma matched LeBron’s point total at 22, but the Lakers’ offensive struggles were too much to overcome in the final quarter. The Lakers’ finished with 92 points, their second-lowest point total of the year.
Pistons solve turnover issues for time being, offense looks efficient
Against the Cavs, the Pistons let their sloppy passing and ball-handling turn into 22 turnovers; the Cavs capitalizing on those to score 30 points off those turnovers. On Thursday, the Pistons turned that narrative around in a big way; they committed 9 turnovers, resulting in only 5 Lakers points.
Limiting turnovers was key to the Pistons’ victory, according to head coach Dwayne Casey.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity; we didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” said Casey.
The new value of the basketball allowed the Pistons’ offense to work effectively and get multiple players involved. Five different Pistons scored in double-figures, and they shot 46% from the field on 27 team assists.
Wayne Ellington continued his hot-shooting streak, finishing with 20 points on 6-9 shooting from three. Mason Plumlee finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Derrick Rose added 14 points and 2 steals off the bench.
Up Next
Pistons vs. Warriors, Saturday, January 30, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA Lakers vs. Celtics, Saturday, January 30, TD Garden, Boston, MA
