Lakers move back to .500 with win over the Pistons.
The Lakers moved back in the win column with a much-needed win over the Detroit Pistons thanks to their big three combining for 82 points to improve their record back to .500 at 11–11 with a 110–106 victory.
After going on a 16–0 run in the third quarter, the Lakers were fortunate enough to close out this game, with the Pistons coming close to overturning a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter to make it a competitive game.
Despite shooting 28% (9–32) from three, the Lakers were able to capitalize from the inside the arc, finishing 50% overall from the field and scoring 58 points in the paint.
The Lakers' defense was much more sound in tonight's win, as head coach Frank Vogel said he's still trying to get guys to commit on the defensive end. Also, he notes that's "all we've talked about" the last 48 hours. "I challenge these guys to really compete to be a great defensive team. That's why our lives are hard right now."
LeBron James finished +14 in tonight's win, finishing with a game-high 33 points on 12 of 20 from the field, adding 9 assists and 5 rebounds in his effort. After shooting 2 for 13 in Friday's disappointing loss to Kings, James was able to bounce back from that horrible shooting night, finishing 44% (4–9) from three in tonight's win over Detroit.
The critiques have been quiet lately surrounding Russell Westbrook, as he is having an excellent five-game stretch for the Lakers. In tonight's win over the Pistons, Westbrook finished with 25 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds, while shooting over 50% overall on 10 of 16 (62%) from the floor.
Anthony Davis had a solid night for the Lakers, finishing with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds and adding 3 blocks and a couple of assists for the purple and gold.
Before tonight's game, Anthony Davis had the lowest three-point percentage of any player in NBA history (16.7 percent) with two or more tries per game and 20 or more games played. He was able to increase his percentage from deep, going 2 for 2 from three in tonight's win, moving him to 20% (9–44)on the season.
The Lakers will travel to Sacramento to face the 8–13 Kings this Tuesday and try to get their revenge on the team that beat them in triple overtime just a couple of days ago.