Emerging Pistons backcourt combines for 49 points, 18 assists
Something odd happened in Washington on Sunday evening. The Detroit Pistons won … easily. Behind its young, dynamic backcourt, the Pistons coasted to a 124-104 victory over the Washington Wizards and led by around 20 points for most of the final 1.5 quarters. After seven straight games that qualified as nail-biters, it was a welcome change of pace.
Cade Cunningham secured another triple-double as the Pistons scored their most points of the season so far. Cunningham finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and added five steals. Ivey scored a game-high 28 points and had eight assists.
Ivey was the star of the game and seemed to be in total control throughout. He was using his burst to blow past defenders, he could slow things up to create open looks for himself or others, and when the clock was running out, he could calmly find a gap in the defense and find space for an open perimeter. shot.
Ivey scored a buzzer-beating bucket at the end of the first and second quarters, and added another on a tough drive to the basket with contact with 1.8 seconds left in the third. It was just that kind of night for Ivey. It was beautiful to see.
Cunningham wasn’t as dynamic a scorer as Ivey, but his ability to be engaged on the defensive end and his enthusiasm for fighting through the bigs for a rebound while also having so much of the offensive responsibility on his back has helped Detroit compete night in and night out.
Now, it’s finally starting to lead to some wins, and for the first time all season, a comfortable win at that.
The Pistons didn’t seem like they would let themselves off easy in this one. They could effortlessly execute on the offensive end and build up a 10- to 12-point lead, but then suddenly, the Wizards would hit a few shots, and the lead would dwindle to five.
Detroit was able to really put the game away by dominating the third quarter, mostly thanks to Ivey’s stellar play.
Jalen Duren had a double-double and was clearly overpowering second-overall pick Alexandre Sarr, but Duren again had to navigate foul trouble and was limited to just 18 minutes. Isaiah Stewart delivered his typical brand of excellent defense and added his second three-pointer of the season. Malik Beasley scored 26 points and hit six threes as a starter filling in for the injured Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Wizards were led by 22 points apiece from Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole.
The Pistons needed a less stressful win as they are traveling home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday after three straight road games, including two that went to overtime. A win against the Bulls would bring the Pistons to 8-8 on the season.
Detroit hasn’t been .500 this late in the season since the 2018-19 season.