Malik Beasley led the way with 21 points, and Cade Cunningham contributed 20 points and 10 assists as the Detroit Pistons edged out the Los Angeles Lakers 117-114 on Monday night, completing a sweep of the season series. Despite LeBron James’ 120th career triple-double—28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists—the Lakers fell short as James missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Pistons, who have been up-and-down all season, showed grit and determination by snapping a seven-game road losing streak to the Lakers dating back to 2017. Jaden Ivey added 18 points for Detroit, which has shown flashes of potential against tough competition, including recent victories over the Knicks, Heat, and Suns.
Detroit built a commanding 117-106 lead with just under 2:30 remaining, thanks to a 16-4 fourth-quarter surge led by Ivey and Beasley. However, the Lakers clawed back with an 8-0 run, capped by a driving layup from James with 46 seconds left. After a successful video review overturned a foul call on Detroit, Cunningham missed a 3-pointer, giving the Lakers one final shot. James found himself open for a 30-foot attempt but couldn’t connect, sealing the Pistons’ victory.
Anthony Davis added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, but their struggles with turnovers (20) and defensive lapses proved costly. Detroit’s energy and focus were evident throughout, with the Pistons capitalizing on their opportunities against a turnover-prone Lakers squad.
A notable moment came early in the fourth when Detroit’s dynamic duo of Ivey and Beasley powered a decisive run, pushing the Pistons into double-digit territory. Meanwhile, James reached another milestone in his storied career, hitting his 847th 3-pointer in a Lakers uniform to surpass Derek Fisher for the second-most in franchise history, trailing only Kobe Bryant’s 1,827. Despite the record-breaking performance by James, let’s grade every Lakers player for their performances tonight.
LeBron James: A
Stats: 28 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 10-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 6-7 FT, -1, 35 MIN
LeBron James recorded his 120th career triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, shooting an efficient 10-16 from the field. He carried the offense late and hit a significant milestone with his 847th 3-pointer in a Lakers uniform, but his missed game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer slightly tarnished an otherwise stellar performance.
Anthony Davis: B+
Stats: 19 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 7-14 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-8 FT, +15, 39 MIN
Anthony Davis posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, adding six assists and two blocks. While effective defensively and on the glass, his missed free throws (4-8) and quiet stretches in the second half limited his impact during crucial moments.
Max Christie: B+
Stats: 17 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 6-10 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +10, 33 MIN
Max Christie shined as a secondary scorer, contributing 17 points on 6-10 shooting, including 3-4 from beyond the arc. His defensive activity and ability to space the floor provided a much-needed spark, showcasing his growth as a key rotation piece.
Austin Reaves: B
Stats: 12 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 6 TO, 2 PF, 5-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +16, 37 MIN
Austin Reaves filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while shooting 5-9 from the field. However, six turnovers hindered his overall effectiveness, and while his defense was solid, the mistakes outweighed his positive contributions.
Rui Hachimura: C+
Stats: 10 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 4-4 FT, -5, 29 MIN
Rui Hachimura added 10 points, making all four of his free throws, but struggled from the field, going 3-8. His lack of rebounding and defensive presence kept him from being a bigger factor in the game, especially during critical stretches.
Gabe Vincent: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 3-5 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -22, 19 MIN
Vincent scored nine points on 3-5 shooting from three-point range but struggled defensively, finishing with a team-worst -22. While he was efficient offensively, his inability to make a broader impact on either end held him back.
Cam Reddish: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -5, 17 MIN
Reddish made the most of his limited opportunities, scoring seven points on a perfect 3-3 shooting while contributing defensively with a steal and a block. However, his short playing time limited his overall influence on the game.
Dalton Knecht: C
Stats: 7 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, -10, 16 MIN
Knecht showed flashes with seven points on 2-4 shooting but didn’t assert himself enough in other areas, managing only two rebounds and one assist. His defensive impact was minimal, resulting in a negative plus-minus performance.
D’Angelo Russell: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 0 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 1-5 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, -13, 16 MIN
Russell struggled offensively, managing just five points on 1-5 shooting, though he did contribute five assists. His lack of scoring and playmaking consistency made him a non-factor in key moments, impacting the team’s overall flow.
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