Pistons vs Wizards final score: Detroit wins a chippy one against Washington

The Pistons win 1 of 2 consecutive games against the Wizards.

The Detroit Pistons had a favorable matchup tonight against the Washington Wizards – Washington was playing their second game of a back-to-back and Detroit were 15-point favorites. You’d have a cashed ticket if you took Detroit’s spread tonight – they outmatched the Wizards throughout the entire game and beat them 123-103. Though my expectations continue to rise as this successful season continues, it’s nice that this team continues to meet them. It’s thoroughly enjoyable watching them grow out of the bottom of the NBA since last season.

The first five minutes of the game was rough – neither team was hitting shots and the game was tied 6-6. JB Bickerstaff called a timeout to fire his guys up, and they responded with a 29-15 run to end the quarter. Detroit took a 35-21 lead at the end of the first after Simone Fontecchio had a tip-dunk at the buzzer. There was a clear rebounding advantage for the Pistons as they outrebounded Washington 22-11, including nine offensive boards.

The first half certainly got chippy – double technical fouls were given to Jalen Duren and Khris Middleton in the first, and Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Smart each received their own in the second. Detroit led by as much as 18 in the quarter as Washington tried to keep it within single-digits, but the Pistons took a 66-49 lead heading into halftime. Cade found Duren for a no-look lob where JD put Khris Middleton on a poster – a nice exclamation point for him after their double technicals earlier:

Duren was very active on the boards, and on both sides of the floor in the half. He had 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, including one where he pinned Jordan Poole off-the-glass right before the second quarter buzzer. His play over the last few months has certainly warranted conversations about what an extension for him this summer would look like. Give it to him!

Cade was on triple-double watch at halftime with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Nobody on Washington could guard him as he was able to get to his spots whenever he wanted, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. Beasley, Harris, and Hardaway Jr had all of Detroit’s seven first-half three-pointers – it’s such a useful piece of roster construction to have veteran players that can shoot.

When you have a 17-point lead at halftime, I think the team needs to come out of the half with the goal of winning the next quarter (puppy point!). A small mindset change to not get lazy, and continue to be competitive on the court regardless of your lead. That wasn’t going to be the case for the third quarter as Washington was able to hang with Detroit, but Malik Beasley hit a patented shimmy three at the buzzer to win the quarter by two. Ausar also gave us this beautiful sequence despite him having an off game:

Washington clawed back to get the deficit to 11 with five minutes left. The first half’s antics continued late into the game as two Pistons took elbows to the chin – Ausar Thompson caught one from Richaun Holmes that got him a flagrant-two and an ejection, and Marcus Smart got Tim Hardaway Jr on a drive a few possessions later for a flagrant-one.

Detroit made a late push and closed the game out on a 19-10 run to win 123-93. The Pistons outscored the Wizards in all four quarters to win all four puppy points – that’s how you know it was a night of magic!

Detroit improves to 37-29 overall – Cade Cunningham led the way with 27 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. His lob partner Jalen Duren added 15 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks. These two teams will run it back again on Thursday night.