Detroit Pistons (48-18) beat Memphis Grizzlies (23-43) 126-110 at home on Friday, March 13, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pistons had the better start, winning the first 37-35 to lead by 2 after one. The Pistons kept the pressure on with a 31-26 second quarter, carrying a 7-point lead into halftime.
The Pistons won the third 30-23 to create some separation, taking a 14-point lead into the fourth. The Pistons took the fourth 28-26; the Pistons finished the job for a 126-110 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pistons grabbed 48.7% of their own misses, while the Grizzlies recovered 28.3%. The Pistons got more from their shots, finishing at 60.9% effective field-goal shooting compared with 51.1% for the Grizzlies. The second chances kept adding up.
The Grizzlies did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 21.3 against 15.2. The Pistons made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 101 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 125.1 points per 100 possessions to 109.2 for the Grizzlies.
Who made the difference
Jalen Duren was the game's biggest individual force for DET: 30 pts, 13 reb, 0 ast on 12-15 shooting. His Game Score of 28 led everyone. His team was +20 with him on the floor.
Javon Small led the Grizzlies with 23 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast on 6-9 shooting, good for a 23.5 Game Score.
Jalen Duren (30 pts, 13 reb, 0 ast) and Cade Cunningham (17 pts, 8 reb, 15 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 90% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Memphis Grizzlies lead 2-1.
The Pistons are now 48-18, and the Grizzlies are 23-43. The Pistons last five before this game: L-L-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.