The Detroit Pistons came into this game looking for their fourth win in five games. The New Orleans Pelicans, losers of eight straight, were looking to snap their losing streak tonight. The Pelicans, prior to tonight’s game, won 12 of their last 14 meetings against the Pistons. The Pistons (10-14) were able to defeat the Pelicans (6-18) on the road 105-103 and the Pelicans losing streak continues, extending to nine after tonight’s defeat against the Pistons.
The Pelicans started the game on a 16-6 run. Luke Kennard and Andre Drummond started the game with two quick fouls for the Pistons in the first quarter, forcing the Pistons to call on their bench for early support. The Pistons, who at one point trailed the quarter by as many as 11 points, were able to cut the Pelicans lead to just four (29-25) to end the first quarter thanks to a few spark plugs off the Pistons bench. Pistons guard Langston Galloway (6), Derrick Rose (4), and Pistons’ center Christian Wood (4) all contributed to a late first quarter Pistons run. The Pistons bench came into this game third in scoring, trailing only the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers in that category. Pelicans’ forward Brandon Ingram attacked the Pistons early and often. Ingram finished the quarter with 14 points.
In the second quarter, Pistons guard Sviatoslav (Svi) Mykhailiuk knocked down a three-point shot to cut the Pelicans lead to just one. Andre Drummond, on the opposite end of the court after the three from Svi, received his third foul 47 seconds into the second quarter and was forced to the bench to avoid fouling out for the remainder of the first half. The Piston, who at one point was down 45-37 to the Pelicans, went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead by the Pelicans to just two. The Pelicans stopped the bleeding and were able to take a 53-47 lead into the half.
Ingram, who had 14 first-quarter points, finished with 17 at the half. For the Pistons, Christian Wood led the way off the bench with eight points and six rebounds at the half.
The Pistons went on a 15-4 run at the beginning of the third quarter to take the lead 67-61, forcing the Pelicans to take a timeout. Drummond picked up his fourth foul and was again forced from the game for the remainder of the quarter. Ingram picked up where he left off in the first quarter, scoring 10 points in the quarter. The Pistons were able to take an 81-74 lead to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Pistons scored a couple of quick baskets to take the lead to 88-76 early into the final quarter. The Pelicans were able to go on a 13-4 run to cut the lead to just three. The Pistons and Pelicans traded blows but it was the last shot that decided the game. With the game tied 103-103 and with 14.7 seconds left in regulation, Derrick Rose was able to hit the game-winning shot off of an isolation play to give the Pistons a 105-103 victory.
Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 21 points and seven assists. Andre Drummond was able to finish tonight’s game with another double-double despite being in foul trouble for most of the game, scoring 13 points with 10 rebounds. Today marked Langston Galloway’s 28th birthday, and he finished tonight’s victory with 16 points off the bench for Detroit. For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 31 points to go with six rebounds.
Pelicans’ prize rookie Zion Williamson is still nursing a knee injury and was unable to play in tonight’s game. For Detroit, Reggie Jackson is still nursing a back injury and will be re-evaluated in the upcoming days.
The Pistons will have the next two days off before facing Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in Mexico City at 9 PM.
