Detroit Pistons defeat LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers

The Detroit Pistons end their two game losing streak with hot shooting after defeating the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers 111 to 97.

After two embarrassing crucial losses against Brooklyn and Miami, The Detroit Pistons flew back home to take on the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James.

Not only were the Lakers were without LeBron. They were also without Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.

Reggie Jackson was questionable for tonight’s game. But a late time decision cleared Reggie to play with the starting lineup.

The Pistons lost the first meeting 110 to 113 against the Lakers back in January. A game where Kyle Kuzma scored a career high 41 points in three-quarters.

LeBron missed the game back in January. So the Pistons knew that the Lakers could steal another win away from the Pistons without LeBron.

The game started slow for both teams. Neither team could find an offensive rhythm. The Lakers could not take care of the ball. And the Pistons were just flat-out missing shots.

It would be late in the quarter where the Pistons picked up the pace and took a 27 to 22 lead into the second quarter.

Going into the second the pace had been picked up. But it slowed down again as the Pistons couldn’t get good offense going. The Lakers took the lead 33 to 32 with 5 minutes remaining in the quarter.

The Pistons would eventually find some rhythm with Langston Galloway knocking down some threes. Wayne Ellington and Reggie Jackson contributed with some threes to give the Pistons a 40 to 46 lead into halftime.

Andre Drummond was dominating the glass in the first half and eventually the entire game.

Langston had 12 points at halftime to lead the way for the Pistons

JaVale McGee and Rajon Rondo were the only offensive threats for the Lakers to keep them in the game.

Second Half

The third quarter was back and forth for half of it. It would take some Reggie Jackson hot shooting that gave the Pistons some breathing room.

Reggie scored 10 points assisted on 3 buckets in the third quarter. Pistons went up as many as 18 points during the third quarter. Ellington splashed in two threes in the quarter as well.

It would be the fourth quarter where the Lakers would make the game interesting for a couple of minutes.

Former Piston’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso sparked the Lakers to bring the lead back down to 9 points.

Kyle Kuzma looked like John Stockton and was assisting on almost every bucket for the Lakers in the fourth.

But again Langston Galloway’s hot shooting would shut down any Lakers run in mind. He made back to back threes to ice the game.

Key Notes

Blake Griffin continues his struggles. He had 13 points, 9 assists, and 4 turnovers on 3 for 12 shooting.

Reggie Jackson looked to move around fine on the court after being ruled questionable with a foot injury. He scored 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 6 for 18 shooting.

Wayne Ellington splashed in 4 threes.

Andre Drummond dominated with 19 points, 23 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was a team high +25

Langston Galloway scored 23 points off the bench. The bench scored 43 points total.

JaVale McGee scored 20 points and 13 rebounds on an efficient 10 for 16 shooting.

Rondo flirted with a triple-double with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Kyle Kuzma with a career-high 10 assists after scoring a career high 41 points against Detroit in their first meeting.

Reggie Bullock made his return back to Detroit. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. But he struggled scoring only 4 points.

Pistons Owner Tom Gores watched tonight’s game. He talked to the media at halftime.

Pistons had a 17 to 6 made threes advantage against the Lakers; a 33 point advantage for the Pistons.