The Detroit Pistons pulled off a stunning 117-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, marking their first season series sweep over Los Angeles in years. Malik Beasley led the charge with 21 points, and Cade Cunningham added 20 points and 10 assists, securing a second straight win for the Pistons.
Detroit (13-17) maintained control throughout much of the game, despite a late rally from the Lakers (16-13). LeBron James recorded his 120th career triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, his missed 3-point attempt in the final seconds sealed the Pistons’ victory.
The Pistons’ win broke a seven-game road losing streak against the Lakers, a streak dating back to 2017. Detroit had already defeated the Lakers at home earlier in the season, but this road victory was their first such back-to-back win since November 17. In addition to Beasley’s 21 points, Jaden Ivey added 18, providing a much-needed offensive spark.
With Detroit holding a 117-106 lead with just over two minutes left, the Lakers made a valiant push. They scored eight straight points, capped off by a driving layup from James with 46 seconds left. But the Pistons held firm, benefitting from a key overturned foul call on video review. Cunningham then missed a 3-pointer, and despite James getting an open 30-footer to win the game, he couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
The Lakers struggled with ball control throughout the game, turning the ball over 20 times. This allowed the Pistons to score consistently, with Detroit finishing with 117 points, highlighting the Lakers’ defensive lapses.
In the final stretch, the Pistons capitalized on a 16-4 run, spearheaded by Beasley and Ivey, in the fourth quarter. This offensive surge proved to be the difference, as Detroit’s young core showed resilience and composure in a highly competitive match.
While Anthony Davis contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, the team’s struggles were compounded by a lack of sharp shooting. The Lakers shot just 46.7% from the field, including 14-of-30 from beyond the arc. Max Christie and Austin Reaves also contributed double-digit points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Pistons’ hot shooting.
