Detroit Pistons drop third straight, lose to Wizards 102-97

Once again, the Detroit Pistons were within striking distance during the final moments at home. But John Wall (32 points, nine assists) proved to be too much, and the Washington Wizards defeated the Pistons 102-97 on Wednesday night.

You live by three, you die by the three.

Or by the dribble penetration you allow. Or the shots you miss at the rim. Or…well, you get the point.

Plenty of things killed the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, who fell to the Washington Wizards 102-97 at Little Caesars Arena. But it was John Wall who dealt the final blow.

His jumper from the right elbow with four seconds to play solidified a Wizards’ victory. Wall led all scorers with 32 points on 12-for-23 shooting, while adding nine assists and five rebounds. He carved up Detroit’s interior defense, relentlessly driving, dishing, and finishing at the basket.

Of course, the Pistons 3-point shooting didn’t help either. They shot 12-for-45 (26.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Detroit has now lost three straight, with just one game remaining until the regular-season opener on Oct. 17.

Andre Drummond scored a team-high 17 points and came away with 20 rebounds. The center went 0-for-3 from 3-point range, while one attempt came on a desperate heave from the top of the key as the shot clock expired.

Reggie Jackson (three points, three assists) only played for 10 minutes, and left the game early in the third quarter. According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Jackson experienced muscle tightness and returned to the locker room to stretch as a precaution.

Ellis also reported that the point guard spoke to reporters and is alright. As for Detroit’s offense, it was anything but.

The Pistons committed 16 turnovers, many of them due to lack of communication. Drummond (six turnovers) mishandled a couple of entry passes inside. Stanley Johnson shot 1-for-13, and missed both of his free-throw attempts. To his credit, Johnson grabbed 11 boards.

Blake Griffin (16 points) struggled from the field, but drew plenty of shooting fouls. The power forward took advantage of his size in the post, and made seven of his nine free-throw attempts.  When all else fails, going to Griffin in isolation is hard to pass up.

The Detroit Pistons will close out the preseason this Friday when they meet the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Detroit will technically be the road team. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit.