Oct 22, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups (1) shoots during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 99-96. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
In an exciting game at the Palace, the Pistons took control of a winnable game at home on Tuesday night. Led by Greg Monroe and Chauncey Billups, the Pistons came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. After a Tony Mitchell double clutch lay-in connected at the buzzer to end the first quarter, the Pistons found themselves ahead of the Wizards 37-25. They scored one more point in the first 12 minutes of Tuesday’s game against Washington, then they did in the entire first half against the Magic on Sunday (scored 36).
After Kyle Singler, Greg Monroe, and Chauncey Billups started the game off strong for Detroit, the Piston starters passed the torch to the second unit, led by spark plug guard Will Bynum. Will had four alley-oop assists within the second quarter. One to the rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the break, two to Tony Mitchell, and one monstrous jam by Andre Drummond who flew through the lane like a jumbo jet. After the gigantic jam by Drummond, Andre stuffed the Wizards big man at the rim with a thunderous block.
At the break the Pistons took a 22 point lead to the locker room; 65-43. Greg Monroe and Kyle Singler led Detroit with 11 points apiece, Will Bynum followed with 7 points and 5 assists, and Drum-Drum had 4 points and 7 boards at the half.
To start off the third, the Wizards took control of the game. The Pistons found themselves becoming selfish with the ball, not moving or spacing the floor, as well as giving up second chance points. This resulted in the Piston lead to dwindle down to just 10 points heading into the final quarter of play. Washington finished the third on a 8-0 spurt, giving them some momentum to start the fourth.
In what turned out to be the Kevin Seraphin show in the fourth, the Wizards managed to claw all the way back. After drawing even with Detroit halfway through the fourth, the Pistons seemed to regain their sense of urgency. Out of the timeout, Detroit answered the Wizard run quickly with back-to-back triples courtesy of Kyle Singler and Mr. Big Shot. Chauncey was not done either; he would come back and hit another clutch triple in the final minute of the game, his fourth and final of the contest.
After a contested shot that just grazed the rim by Glen Rice Jr. at the buzzer, the Pistons locked up just their third win of the preseason with just one remaining.
Greg Monroe finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Chauncey Billups played a preseason high 31 minutes for Detroit, scoring 12 points, and dishing out 6 assists.
BOX SCORE:
Detroit Pistons:
– Chauncey Billups: 31 MIN; 12 PTS; 6 ASTS; 4 3FG
– Greg Monroe: 35 MIN; 18 PTS; 7 REBS; 5 ASTS; 1 STL
– Andre Drummond: 35 MIN; 9 PTS; 14 REBS; 1 BLKS
– Kyle Singler: 24 MINS; 14 PTS; 4 REBS; 1 STLS
– Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 16 MIN; 5 PTS; 6 REB; 1 STL
– Peyton Siva: 22 MIN; 5 PTS; 3 ASTS; 2 TO
– Jonas Jerebko: 22 MIN; 11 PTS; 2 REBS
– Charlie Villanueva: 3 MIN
– Tony Mitchell: 16 MIN; 8 PTS; 1 REBS
– Josh Harrellson: 5 MIN; 4 PTS; 2 ASTS
– Will Bynum: 25 MIN; 13 PTS; 9 ASTS
Next up for the Pistons are the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Detroit plays their final preseason game of the year. Detroit (3-4) will look to get back to .500 before the exhibition season draws to a close. Josh Smith, who sat out Tuesday for rest, will look to get in on the action on Thursday. The game will be broadcasted yet again in Metro Detroit, on Fox Sports Detroit. Make sure to tune in at 7:30 for tip-off.
INJURY UPDATE:
– Charlie Villanueva, who played a total of just three minutes in the first half, left the game due to soreness in his back. He did not return to the game in the second half.