Detroit Pistons Let Another One Slip Away in the Third

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 1: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts to a call against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on December 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 1: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts to a call against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on December 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons let the Wizards work their magic in the third, leading to their fourth loss in a row. Without further adieu, here are the game grades.

B. Ish Smith had an efficient night, shooting 63 percent, two of his misses being three pointers (eye roll). He racked up seven assists and a steal also. He played well, but his willingness to take random threes will always confound me.<p class=. PG. Detroit Pistons. ISH SMITH

C+. Avery Bradley didn’t have a bad night, but it felt terrible. He scored 15 points on 43 percent shooting and only grabbed a few rebounds and an assist. Smartly, Luke Kennard was given late game minutes over Bradley for what seems like the first time (it probably is).<p class=. SG. Detroit Pistons. AVERY BRADLEY

SF. Detroit Pistons. REGGIE BULLOCK. C. In 24 minutes, Reggie Bullock only had six shots, which he hit half of. He had nine points, two assists, and one block. It may have been smart to give him more shots, as it normally is.

Detroit Pistons. TOBIAS HARRIS. D+. Tobias Harris continued with another disappointing game, shooting only 36 percent on 19 shots. He shot one for seven from range. Despite his poor shooting and atrocious defense, he played for 31 minutes.. PF

A-. Any form of Andre Drummond slander should now be met with a harsh prison sentence. He had himself a beast of a night. He had 14 points, 21 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks. Quite the mouthful. Someone should call the police because Drummond was absolutely mugged in the all-star voting. The downside was five turnovers to go with his high usage, and he fouled out late in the fourth.. C. Detroit Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND

C. Dwight Buycks barely played tonight, netting only seven minutes. In those seven minutes he shot twice (scoring two points), garnered a steal, and a gave up a turnover.. PG. Detroit Pistons. DWIGHT BUYCKS

LUKE KENNARD. B. After tonight’s show of will, any unwarranted criticism of Kennard needs to cease. He showed an incredible desire to be the go to guy in the future. He shot four of seven from the field (60 percent form deep) and drained all five of his free throws for 16 points. A good chunk of them came in the fourth, and Kennard’s shooting gave us our last chance to comeback. Thank you Stan Van Gundy for keeping him in late!. SG. Detroit Pistons

C+. It feels like years since the last time Stanley Johnson’s appeared on the post game grades, it’s nice to have him back. He and Drummond were the only two Pistons to net a positive plus/minus rating, with Johnson’s at plus seven. He only hit one shot, excluding two free throws, but it was a big part in keeping the game close. His defense was what made him a spark plug though, as he got two late game steals in only 12 minutes. If Johnson ever fully develops his offense, he will be a dangerous wing.. SF. Detroit Pistons. STANLEY JOHNSON

ANTHONY TOLLIVER. C+. Anthony Tolliver had a relatively quiet night, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. He scored an efficient 11 points, six of them coming from the foul line. He was able to snag four rebounds and two assists.. PF. Detroit Pistons

C. Detroit Pistons. ERIC MORELAND. C. Eric Moreland only played five minutes due to Drummond’s 43, but it’s always encouraging to actually see him play some offense. He scored four points on two for two shooting and got a steal, but also gave up a turnover.

LANGSTON GALLOWAY. C-. Langston Galloway, after patiently waiting, has yet again gotten to actually touch the court. The rust showed, as Galloway missed all three of his three pointers, and hit two out of his five shots. Not a noteworthy performance for 11 minutes.. SG/PG. Detroit Pistons

Next: Sound the alarms Detroit Pistons fans, Kemba Walker is available

Final

Wizards – 122

Pistons – 112

Prediction

Wizards – 108

Pistons – 97