Detroit Pistons (49-19) beat Washington Wizards (16-52) 130-117 on the road on Tuesday, March 17.
The game, quarter by quarter
The teams matched each other with 32 points apiece in the first quarter, leaving it level at 32. The Pistons moved in front with a 31-25 second quarter, carrying a 6-point lead into halftime.
The Pistons won the third 37-26 to create some separation, taking a 17-point lead into the fourth. The Wizards took the fourth 34-30; the Pistons held on for a 130-117 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pistons grabbed 36.4% of their own misses, while the Wizards recovered 17.1%. The Pistons made 30 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 17.2 for the Wizards. The second chances kept adding up.
At roughly 101 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 129.1 points per 100 possessions to 116.2 for the Wizards.
The Pistons' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 59-25.
Who made the difference
Jalen Duren was the game's biggest individual force for DET: 36 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast on 13-17 shooting. His Game Score of 33.7 led everyone. His team was +15 with him on the floor.
Carlton Carrington led the Wizards with 30 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast on 12-16 shooting, good for a 25 Game Score.
Jalen Duren (36 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 85% chance.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, Detroit Pistons lead 3-2.
The Pistons are now 49-19, and the Wizards are 16-52. The Pistons last five before this game: L-W-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.