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Detroit Pistons defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-106

By Leighton Chappell

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 7, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 7, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope‘s return to Detroit, 112-106. 

Monday night was a physical night for both the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers.

From Reggie Jackson receiving a shot to the throat to Blake Griffen fouling out, Detroit fought hard to defeat the visiting Lakers, 112-106.

Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons /

Detroit Pistons

Throughout the entire night, whistles were blown constantly against both teams: Detroit committing 26 fouls and Los Angeles committing 20 fouls.

Leading their teams in fouls were forwards Blake Griffen for Detroit and Julius Randle for Los Angeles. When sharing the floor, Griffen and Randle traded physical blows to one another and even exchanged a heated conversation before the fourth quarter’s end in which led to double technical fouls.

In terms of scoring, Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 20 points followed by 16 from Reggie Bullock and 15 from Andre Drummond, Blake Griffen, and Anthony Tolliver.

Stanley Johnson made the most of his minutes on the floor through a series of beautiful assists as he finished with six as well as eight rebounds and four points.

Andre Drummond continued to prove himself as the league’s leader in rebounds with 18 boards while also recording another double-double: second in the league behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

Off the bench for Detroit was Ish Smith adding 12 points and two assists while further showing off his improved three-point shooting (including a turn-around, buzzer beating three before half) as well as James Ennis III, Luke Kennard, Eric Moreland, and Anthony Tolliver (as mentioned earlier).

Luke Kennard opened the game struggling to connect from the field, though finished with a three and four points in the paint while shooting three for seven.

James Ennis was part of a scoring rampage with Anthony Tolliver in the third quarter and tallied seven points plus two steals.

Eric Moreland only played four minutes in Monday’s matchup as Blake Griffen’s foul troubles forced Drummond to playing extended minutes and Stan Van Gundy to use a combination of Ennis III and Tolliver to handle Laker’s Julius Randle.

Overall, Detroit came away with a much needed win against a tough Laker opponent and are now five games back from the eighth seed with only eight games to go.

Next: Detroit Pistons: What is Andre Drummond’s ceiling?

The Pistons will welcome home Thursday the Washington Wizards which is expected to be another much-needed win and physical, dog-fight for Detroit.

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