Detroit Pistons (51-19) beat Golden State Warriors (33-37) 115-101 at home on Friday, March 20.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Warriors had the better start, winning the first 26-21 to lead by 5 after one. The Pistons moved in front with a 36-24 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 teams matched each other with 28 points apiece in the fourth quarter, and the Pistons closed regulation with a 115-101 lead.
What decided it
The Pistons took better care of the ball, turning it over on 12.7% of possessions compared with 24.4% for the Warriors. The Pistons got more from their shots, finishing at 55.2% effective field-goal shooting compared with 53.9% for the Warriors. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 103 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 112.1 points per 100 possessions to 98.4 for the Warriors.
The Pistons' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 46-34.
Who made the difference
Daniss Jenkins was the game's biggest individual force for DET: 22 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast on 7-12 shooting. His Game Score of 22.5 led everyone. His team was +13 with him on the floor.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 84% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Golden State Warriors lead 2-1.
The Pistons are now 51-19, and the Warriors are 33-37. The Pistons last five before this game: W-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.