DETROIT, Michigan – The Memphis Grizzlies, lacking key players, defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-102 at home. Including star point guard Ja Morant, Memphis had seven players sidelined going into tonight’s game. Even so, th
Grizzlies prevailed, handing the Pistons their 19th defeat of the season and their 18th consecutive loss.
Throughout the entire game, Detroit was ahead multiple times. Strong first-half performances by Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic, Killian Hayes, and Jaden Ivey gave the Pistons a 56-52 lead at the half. The third quarter ended with Detroit leading 84–82.
When Detroit benched some of their starters in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies went on a 14-2 run. With roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Memphis took a 96-86 lead and maintained it for the remainder of the contest. The Grizzlies outscored the Pistons 34–18 in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Duren suffered another ankle injury late in the fourth quarter, adding to Detroit’s bad luck. Going for a rebound, Duren rolled his ankle on David Roddy’s foot. The 20-year-old center has already experienced persistent ankle problems this season.
Desmond Bane scored 49 points against the Pistons, marking one of his best games ever. Bane dominated the offensive glass, shooting a riskily effective 19–31 from the field and 4–8 from three. Jaren Jackson Jr. also played well for the Grizzlies, scoring 24 points and blocking three shots in 35 minutes.
Bogdanovic scored 22 points, shooting 8-15 from the field and 4-8 from three, to lead the Pistons in scoring. Duren finished with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Cunningham scored 16 points and dished out 11 assists for his own double-double.
Now, the Detroit Pistons have to get ready for their trip to play the Orlando Magic on Friday. Orlando, who currently sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 14-7 record, has been one of the league’s biggest surprises.
