The Detroit Pistons were fully healthy for the first time all season long on Saturday as Cade Cunningham returned after nearly a three-week absence. Still, Detroit couldn’t win consecutive games for the first time as the Pistons fell 118-104 to the Washington Wizards on Saturday afternoon.
Cunningham, the Pistons’ leading scorer and assist man, finished with 20 points and 12 assists for his eighth double-double of the season. He was 7 of 17 from the field and 2 of 3 from the 3-point line in 35 minutes. One of his three-pointers was a buzzer-beater right before halftime, giving the Pistons a 63-62 lead.
Cade knocks down the pull-up three to beat the halftime buzzer🔥#DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/PW9KYI4jYU
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 27, 2024
But turnovers were again a problem for Cunningham, as he finished the game with seven. Cunningham has committed five or more turnovers in 16 of his 36 appearances this year. Granted, he had done a better job protecting the ball.
Cade Cunningham Puts Up Double-Double After Lengthy Absence, But Brian Keefe Gets First Win As Wizards Turns Up Defense
This game was highly competitive until the fourth quarter.
“We lacked poise and execution,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “There were times where we were down two or three points, and it felt like 20. We weren’t doing the things we should have done.”
Detroit entered the last period down 87-85, though the Pistons scored the first four points of the frame to take a two-point lead on a Kevin Knox dunk. However, the Pistons managed just four field goals over the final 11 minutes as the Wizards outscored them 31-19.
Kyle Kuzma led the way for Washington, scoring eight of his team-high 30 points and grabbing three rebounds in the fourth. Kuzma finished the game with six boards, four assists, one block, and one steal in 32 minutes.
But it was Washington’s (8-37) second-half defense that turned the game in favor of the Wizards. The Wizards held the Pistons to 41 points on 37.2% shooting, including 2 of 16 from beyond the arc, over the final 24 minutes. During this stretch, the Wizards also forced the Pistons into seven of their 17 turnovers.
“This is the new standard,” Kuzma said after the game when talking about the Wizards defense.
The win was the Wizards’ first since interim coach Brian Keefe took over for Wes Unseld Jr., who moved to the front office two days ago. It also snapped the Wizards six-game losing streak. Washington has also yet to win consecutive games and have lost 32 of their last 38 outings.
“This is obviously very cool, and the best part is the way we played defense,” Keefe said. “Two days ago, we talked about having to become a better defensive team, and we did a good job today. There’s a long way to go, but these are the habits we have to build.”
Jordan Poole added 17 points as Washington got double-figures from all five starters, with Daniel Gafford posting a 15-point and 13-rebound double-double.
Stats from the W:
📊 Kuz: 30 PTS, 6 REB
📊 JP: 17 PTS, 3 3PT
📊 DG: 15 PTS, 13 REB
📊 Marvin: 13 PTS, 8 REB
📊 Tyus: 12 PTS, 9 AST
📊 Deni: 10 PTS, 5 REB pic.twitter.com/Xpbxydkkab— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 27, 2024
Marvin Bagley III, who has been terrific since being acquired from the Pistons, added 13 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. Bagley has scored in double-figures in all six appearances with the Wizards while also posting three double-doubles.
Before today’s contest, Detroit (5-40) won two of their five games since making a trade with Washington. The Pistons offense was clicking during this stretch, ranking ninth in the NBA in offensive ranking during this five-game stretch. They also hadn’t lost by double-digits since Jan. 10.
Detroit’s bench, led by Alec Burks, also had been humming lately. But the reserves combined for 23 points while making 23.8% from the field against the Wizards.
Pistons New Starting Lineup?
Detroit’s starting lineup of Bojan Bogdanovic, Jaden Ivery, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, and Cunningham marked the second time those five players have started together this season. And those five were highly productive this afternoon, producing 81 of the team’s points as all five starters scored in double-figures.
Bogdanovic led the way with 30 points on 10 of 19 shooting from the field, including 4 of 10 from the 3-point line. Meanwhile, Jalen Duren was again dominant down low, finishing with 10 points and 18 caroms. Duren has 22 double-doubles on the season, which includes six games of 15+ rebounds,
Cunningham had missed the previous eight games with a knee injury. Monte Morris, who spent last season with the Wizards last season, made his season debut on Wednesday for the Pistons.
Detroit is now 1-2 against Washington this season.
