Cade Cunningham has triple-double; Detroit Pistons dump Wizards

On By Littum

Detroit – The Detroit Pistons have come a long way since Kyle Kuzma insulted them with a tweet that read“At this point, it’s like ‘don’t be that team’ during their historic losing streak last season.

In Sunday’s contest at Capital One Arena, the Pistons showed how they have outperformed the Washington Wizards in their respective rebuilds.

The Pistons recorded their second straight win in a 124-104 victory over the Wizards (2-10). Detroit has now won four of its last six games while inching closer to a .500 record (7-8). After a nail-biting win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, the Pistons also finished their three-game road trip with a 2-1 record.

“I thought the guys did a good job playing the majority of the 48 (minutes),” coach JB Bickerstaff said. “Doing all the little things that helped us create that separation was a good one for us.”

Bickerstaff left Washington satisfied with the combined effort shown by his players. Five players scored in double figures as Jaden Ivey led the way with 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting and 4-of-7 from deep. He also added eight assists. Cade Cunningham recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 21 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. They scored 14 points in the first half, leading to a 65-53 halftime lead. Cunningham scored 12 points in the second quarter.

Malik Beasley started for the third straight time in place of Tim Hardaway Jr., who suffered a head injury in Tuesday’s win over the Miami Heat. Beasley made six 3-point field goals en route to 26 points.

“Growth was the most important thing tonight,” Beasley said. “We got the win, but we should have won by a good amount. Twenty points, that’s what we should do against teams like that. My biggest thing for our group is learning to become a good team – not just a good team .”

Outside of an early 2-0 lead for the Wizards, it was a wire-to-wire win for Detroit. Jalen Duren scored the Pistons’ first point of the game at the 11:23 mark of the first quarter. He connected on an and-1 attempt and ignited an 11-2 run en route to an 11-point, 10-rebound night.

The Pistons were able to maintain their dominance through all four quarters without giving up a double-digit lead. Tobias Harris was close to a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Isaiah Stewart added nine points, six rebounds and two blocks off the bench. His turnaround jump shot with 3:22 left in the third period led to a 24-point lead (92-68) – Detroit’s biggest of the night.

Detroit was able to maintain its dominance against one of the best fourth quarter teams in the league. The Wizards entered the night averaging 32.6 points in the period – first in the league. The Pistons held the Wizards to 24 points in the period. Kuzma and Jordan Poole each led the Wizards with 22.

“It was a great team win,” Beasley said. “My biggest concern was making sure this wasn’t a trap game for us. I’m glad we got the win and took care of business; it’s something we should have done.”

Next

The Pistons play their fifth back-to-back set of the season with a home game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Detroit will then embark on a two-game road trip beginning Thursday night against the Charlotte Hornets. Tip-off between the Pistons and Bulls is scheduled for 19 at Little Caesars Arena.

Bulls at Pistons

Tip off: 7 p.m. Monday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

TV/radio: FSN EXTRA/950

Stamp damage: Tim Hardaway Jr., questionable (head; laceration), Ausar Thompson, out (blood clot); Bobi Klintman, out (calf contusion)

Expected lineups: Stamps: Guards Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey; forwards Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris; center Isaiah Stewart. Taurus: Guards Josh Giddey, Coby White; forwards Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams; center Nikola Vucevic

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