After trailing by as many as 14 points earlier in the game, the Detroit Pistons battled their way back to force overtime. But the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 110-108 victory over the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.
Despite strong performances from their role players, the Detroit Pistons came up short against the Brooklyn Nets, losing 110-108 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night.
Langston Galloway led the Pistons with 24 points, scoring 10 of them in the second quarter to help Detroit erase an early 14-point deficit. Nets’ guard D’Angelo Russell finished with a game-high 25 points, and hit several clutch buckets down the stretch.
Detroit is now 1-2 in preseason play.
Reggie Jackson (six points, two assists) and Blake Griffin (17 points, nine rebounds) each made their preseason debut in limited minutes. Both needed ample time to shake off some obvious rust. But most importantly, they remained healthy.
Fellow starter Andre Drummond (14 points, 10 rebounds) struggled mightily, going 6-for-21 from the floor. He was outplayed by Brooklyn center Jarrett Allen, who posted four blocks on the night. Drummond missed a potential game-tying layup from the left side with 2.2 seconds to play in overtime.
But it was the once-forgotten Galloway who kept the Pistons alive in the first place.
His driving layup at the 2:11 mark of the third period not only capped off a 13-0 Detroit run, it tied the game at 74. Galloway’s quick release made him the ideal target for a Pistons team that compiled 31 assists. Their drive-and-kick sets were working to perfection.
Reserve guard Ish Smith also had himself a solid outing, posting eight points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
The Pistons once again fired at will from beyond the arc. But unlike the previous two games, they shot a respectable 39.5 percent on 15-for-38 shooting. For those of you keeping score at home, Drummond missed his lone 3-pointer.
Detroit returns to action on Wednesday night, when John Wall and the Washington Wizards come to town. Tipoff from Little Caesars Arena is slated for 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit.