Pistons collapse in 3rd quarter, fall to Wizards 109-91

For the second time this season, the Detroit Pistons (12-7) crumbled in the third quarter against the Washington Wizards (12-10). Washington erupted for 35 points in the period, while the Pistons managed to score just 15. Andre Drummond finished with 14 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in the loss.

When Tomas Satoransky halts your comeback attempt, it probably isn’t your night.

And it certainly wasn’t for the Detroit Pistons.

Satoranksy scored a career-high 17 points off the bench for the Washington Wizards, who decimated the Pistons 109-91 Friday night at Capital One Arena. The 26-year-old from the Czech Republic shot 5 of 6 from the floor, and 2 of 2 from beyond the arc. His buckets helped stave off a number of Pistons’ rallies.

Detroit has made a habit this season of stealing games in come-from-behind fashion. But they dug themselves a serious hole, and the Wizards (without John Wall) were more than ready to bury them.

The Pistons entered the third quarter with a 52-46 lead. Markieff Morris’ baseline jam to start the half ignited a 17-0 run for the Wizards. Detroit was completely lost on offense. They missed their first eight field goals of the period, and came away with only four offensive rebounds on the night.

A pair of Avery Bradley free throws with 7:07 remaining in the third momentarily stopped the bleeding. By that time, Washington’s lead had swelled to nine. The absence of Wall didn’t seem to matter, as the Wizards relentlessly pushed the ball in transition. At the end of the third quarter, Washington had an 81-67 advantage.

In a surprising move, Stan Van Gundy had reserve center Boban Marjanovic start the fourth quarter. He quickly forced up a hook shot from the right elbow. It barely touched the net. Marjanovic would make his next two field goals, but his interior presence offered little impact.

A Drummond dunk with 6:13 remaining trimmed the Wizards’ lead 91-82. Possibly sensing new life in the Pistons, Washington head coach Scott Brooks called a timeout.

But any hopes for a comeback quickly faded, as Satoranksy (a career 27 percent three-point shooter) sank an uncontested triple from the right wing with 6:00 left.

Tobias Harris led the way for the Pistons offensively with 15 points on 6 for 11 shooting. But it was Drummond who engineered another monster performance. The big man finished with 14 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists.

The Pistons will look to regroup tomorrow night against the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of Brotherly Love. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Fox Sports Detroit Plus.