The short-handed Detroit Pistons (3-5) couldn’t take care of business tonight, losing to the Washington Wizards (2-4) on the road 115-99. The Pistons kept it close in the first half, trailing by just two points to end the first half after trailing by 17 but Washington pulled away in the second half and the Pistons weren’t able to recover from the Wizards onslaught.
Andre Drummond couldn’t find his rhythm on the offensive end of the court tonight, shooting 6-20 from the floor for 15 points. Drummond was able to help on the glass with 24 rebounds (his fourth consecutive game with at least 20 rebounds), but it wasn’t enough to stop the Wizards from winning tonight’s game. Luke Kennard continued his impressive run as a starter, scoring 24 points in tonight’s defeat. Former Wizard and current Piston forward Markieff Morris wasn’t able to get it done tonight, scoring only four points in 14 minutes of action.
Pistons second-year guard Bruce Brown Jr. made his second straight start at point guard and scored 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Bruce wasn’t as impressive this time around as he was over the weekend when he scored a career-high 22 points in the Pistons victory against the Brooklyn Nets, but Bruce may have done enough to receive additional minutes as the Pistons point guard going forward.
For Washington, it was All-Star guard Bradley Beal getting it done for the Wizards, scoring 22 points to go along with six assists. Wizards center Thomas Bryant added 14 points and 8 rebounds to help the Wizards secure their second win of the season.
The good news for Detroit is that All-Star forward Blake Griffin is nearing a return. He will be re-evaluated this Wednesday.
The Pistons have a chance this Wednesday to defeat the new-look New York Knicks at home. They have tomorrow off to think about tonight’s defeat, a loss that included zero second-chance points in the second half.
