Lakers bounce back to rout Detroit, handing Pistons team-record 15th straight loss
DETROIT (AP) LeBron James, coming off a career-high 44-point loss at Philadelphia, and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates were very loose during pregame warmups.
Perhaps they sensed it would be an easy night to bounce back.
And, they were right.
D'Angelo Russell scored a season-high 35 points, Anthony Davis had 28 and James 25 to help Los Angeles beat Detroit 133-107 on Wednesday night for the Pistons' franchise-record 15th straight loss.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham could see and hear that James was ready to lead the way before the game even started.
“He understands the energy he gives off,” Ham said.
James was smiling and joking with teammates while getting shots off in warmups, but simply shrugged off the observation.
“I’m pretty much always like that,” he said. “I have a lot of energy to give.”
The Lakers led 38-24 after the opening quarter, shooting 60% to Detroit's 36%.
Even though there were three quarters left, the outcome seemed certain against an offensively challenged team that doesn't play stingy defense and is a league-worst 2-16.
“This group struggles with adversity,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said.
The Pistons have had a lot of it.
Detroit broke the franchise record after sharing it with three teams that had 14-game skids during the 2021-22, 1993-94 and 1979-80 seasons.
“My job is to help our guys fight through this," said Williams, who is in his first season after leading Phoenix and New Orleans. "I told our guys, one way you gain this respect in this game and in life is when you’re going through a tough time, and you hang in there.”
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had 15 points, reserve Isaiah Livers scored 14, Isaiah Stewart had 12 points and rookie Ausar Thompson added 12 points.
The Pistons' problems started on defense.
“The resistance in the pick-and-roll coverage, the resistance to start the game just wasn’t there against D’Angelo," Williams said.
James said “a lot” had to change Monday night after Los Angeles' 138-94 loss to the 76ers in the most-lopsided loss of his career, and it was facing the right opponent to rebound against.
“We responded well," James said. "We played a lot better.”
The Lakers started strong with Russell and Davis both scoring in double figures in the first quarter and despite having a huge lead for much of the game, they did not coast with a comfortable cushion.
“D’Lo and AD got us started out with the hot streak they had in the first quarter, and we all picked it up off of that," James said.
Los Angeles' top three scorers did more than make shots. Russell had nine assists, Davis grabbed 16 rebounds and James had eight rebounds and four assists.
Christian Wood had 12 points and rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino, who didn't score in his NBA debut in the previous game, scored 10 points.
Since the Pistons improved to 2-1 on Oct. 28, they have not won a game with a young team that was expected to improve after winning an NBA-low 17 games last season.
“We've got to get the feeling we had the first week of the season,” Williams said.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Oklahoma City on Thursday night.
Pistons: At New York on Thursday night.
---
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |  | Anthony Davis vs. Jalen Duren (Ausar Thompson gains possession) | ||
| 11:37 | | +3 | Isaiah Stewart makes three point jump shot (Cade Cunningham assists) | 0-3 |
| 11:24 | | Jaden Ivey personal foul (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | ||
| 11:11 |  | LeBron James misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 11:08 | | Ausar Thompson defensive rebound | ||
| 11:01 | | +2 | Ausar Thompson makes two point dunk (Cade Cunningham assists) | 0-5 |
| 10:42 | | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point cutting layup (Anthony Davis assists) | 2-5 |
| 10:24 | | Anthony Davis blocks Jaden Ivey's two point driving layup | ||
| 10:19 | | Isaiah Stewart offensive rebound | ||
| 10:16 | | Ausar Thompson misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:15 | | Jalen Duren offensive rebound | ||
| 10:09 | | Jaden Ivey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:06 | | D'Angelo Russell defensive rebound | ||
| 10:03 | | +2 | LeBron James makes two point running layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 4-5 |
| 10:03 | | Jaden Ivey defensive goaltending violation | ||
| 9:44 | | Ausar Thompson misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:41 | | Anthony Davis defensive rebound | ||
| 9:34 | | Anthony Davis misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 9:32 | | Cade Cunningham defensive rebound | ||
| 9:32 | | Isaiah Stewart offensive foul (LeBron James draws the foul) | ||
| 9:32 | | Isaiah Stewart turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 9:14 | | Ausar Thompson personal foul (D'Angelo Russell draws the foul) | ||
| 9:03 | | Jalen Duren shooting foul (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | ||
| 9:03 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 5-5 |
| 9:03 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 6-5 |
| 8:52 | | +2 | Isaiah Stewart makes two point cutting layup (Cade Cunningham assists) | 6-7 |
| 8:52 | | Anthony Davis shooting foul (Isaiah Stewart draws the foul) | ||
| 8:52 | | +1 | Isaiah Stewart makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 6-8 |
| 8:41 | | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point driving floating jump shot (Anthony Davis assists) | 8-8 |
| 8:15 | | Ausar Thompson misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 8:12 | | Anthony Davis defensive rebound | ||
| 8:09 | | +3 | Taurean Prince makes three point running jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 11-8 |
| 7:54 | | Isaiah Stewart misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:53 | | Ausar Thompson offensive rebound | ||
| 7:48 | | Isaiah Stewart misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:45 | | D'Angelo Russell defensive rebound | ||
| 7:37 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point turnaround hook shot (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 13-8 |
| 7:26 | | Jalen Duren misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:23 | | D'Angelo Russell defensive rebound | ||
| 7:18 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point running alley-oop layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 15-8 |
| 7:18 | | Pistons 60 second timeout | ||
| 7:01 | | +2 | Jalen Duren makes two point driving layup | 15-10 |
| 6:50 | | Jaden Ivey shooting foul (Max Christie draws the foul) | ||
| 6:50 | | +1 | Max Christie makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 16-10 |
| 6:50 | | +1 | Max Christie makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 17-10 |
| 6:34 | | Marcus Sasser misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 6:32 | | Jalen Duren offensive rebound | ||
| 6:31 | | +2 | Jalen Duren makes two point putback layup | 17-12 |
| 6:15 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point cutting layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 19-12 |
| 6:00 | | Jalen Duren misses two point driving hook shot | ||
| 5:58 | | Anthony Davis defensive rebound | ||
| 5:51 | | Anthony Davis misses two point driving hook shot | ||
| 5:50 | | Jalen Duren defensive rebound | ||
| 5:46 | | Isaiah Livers turnover (traveling) | ||
| 5:32 | | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point driving finger roll layup | 21-12 |
| 5:19 | | +2 | Cade Cunningham makes two point pullup jump shot | 21-14 |
| 5:10 | | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point driving floating jump shot | 23-14 |
| 4:59 | | Jalen Duren offensive foul (D'Angelo Russell draws the foul) | ||
| 4:59 | | Jalen Duren turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 4:45 | | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point pullup jump shot | 25-14 |
| 4:38 | | Cam Reddish personal foul (Cade Cunningham draws the foul) | ||
| 4:31 | | Isaiah Livers misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:29 | | Cam Reddish defensive rebound | ||
| 4:25 | | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point running pullup jump shot (Cam Reddish assists) | 28-14 |
| 4:17 | | Cade Cunningham misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:15 | | Lakers defensive rebound | ||
| 4:15 | | James Wiseman personal foul (Loose ball) (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | ||
| 4:15 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 29-14 |
| 4:15 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 30-14 |
| 4:01 | | Alec Burks misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 3:58 | | Christian Wood defensive rebound | ||
| 3:49 | | Cam Reddish misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 3:47 | | Anthony Davis offensive rebound | ||
| 3:46 | | Anthony Davis misses two point putback layup | ||
| 3:43 | | James Wiseman defensive rebound | ||
| 3:38 | | +3 | Isaiah Livers makes three point jump shot (Marcus Sasser assists) | 30-17 |
| 3:22 | | +2 | Austin Reaves makes two point driving floating bank jump shot | 32-17 |
| 3:03 | | Killian Hayes misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 3:01 | | Christian Wood defensive rebound | ||
| 2:52 | | Alec Burks personal foul (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | ||
| 2:52 | | Lakers 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:52 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 33-17 |
| 2:52 | | Anthony Davis misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 2:48 | | James Wiseman defensive rebound | ||
| 2:34 | | +2 | James Wiseman makes two point dunk (Marcus Sasser assists) | 33-19 |
| 2:21 | | Killian Hayes shooting foul (Max Christie draws the foul) | ||
| 2:21 | | +1 | Max Christie makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 34-19 |
| 2:21 | | +1 | Max Christie makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 35-19 |
| 2:21 | | +1 | Max Christie makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 36-19 |
| 2:01 | | Alec Burks misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:58 | | Cam Reddish defensive rebound | ||
| 1:51 | | Christian Wood misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:47 | | James Wiseman defensive rebound | ||
| 1:39 | | Jaxson Hayes blocks Marcus Sasser's two point floating jump shot | ||
| 1:34 | | Alec Burks offensive rebound | ||
| 1:32 | | Alec Burks misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 1:29 | | Christian Wood defensive rebound | ||
| 1:15 | | +2 | Austin Reaves makes two point driving reverse layup | 38-19 |
| 1:14 | | Marcus Sasser turnover (traveling) | ||
| 1:04 | | Cam Reddish turnover (lost ball) (Marcus Sasser steals) | ||
| 0:57 | | Alec Burks misses two point driving layup | ||
| 0:54 | | Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound | ||
| 0:44 | | Max Christie turnover (bad pass) (Marcus Sasser steals) | ||
| 0:38 | | +3 | Isaiah Livers makes three point running jump shot (Marcus Sasser assists) | 38-22 |
| 0:27 | | Austin Reaves misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 0:25 | | James Wiseman defensive rebound | ||
| 0:04 | | +2 | Killian Hayes makes two point pullup jump shot (Marcus Sasser assists) | 38-24 |
| 0:00 | | Max Christie misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 0:00 | | Lakers offensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:36 | | +2 | Christian Wood makes two point layup | 40-24 |
| 11:22 | | Stanley Umude misses three point jump shot | ||
| 11:18 | | Cam Reddish defensive rebound | ||
| 11:07 | | Christian Wood misses two point driving floating bank jump shot | ||
| 11:04 | | Marvin Bagley III defensive rebound | ||
| 10:58 | | +3 | Isaiah Livers makes three point stepback jump shot (Killian Hayes assists) | 40-27 |
| 10:41 | | +2 | LeBron James makes two point driving dunk (Cam Reddish assists) | 42-27 |
| 10:27 | | Killian Hayes misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 10:25 | | Austin Reaves defensive rebound | ||
| 10:24 | | Austin Reaves turnover (bad pass) (Killian Hayes steals) | ||
| 10:24 | | Cam Reddish personal foul (Killian Hayes draws the foul) | ||
| 10:14 | | Jaxson Hayes kicked ball violation | ||
| 10:04 | | +3 | Stanley Umude makes three point jump shot (Killian Hayes assists) | 42-30 |
| 10:00 | | Stanley Umude personal foul (Christian Wood draws the foul) | ||
| 9:47 | | LeBron James misses two point jump shot | ||
| 9:45 | | Stanley Umude defensive rebound | ||
| 9:42 | | Stanley Umude offensive foul (Jaxson Hayes draws the foul) | ||
| 9:42 | | Stanley Umude turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 9:27 | | D'Angelo Russell misses two point driving layup | ||
| 9:27 | | Pistons defensive rebound | ||
| 9:18 | | +2 | Killian Hayes makes two point pullup jump shot | 42-32 |
| 8:58 | | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point stepback jump shot | 45-32 |
| 8:34 | | +2 | Marcus Sasser makes two point cutting layup (Killian Hayes assists) | 45-34 |
| 8:17 | | Austin Reaves misses three point jump shot | ||
| 8:17 | | Pistons defensive rebound | ||
| 8:01 | | Killian Hayes misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:59 | | Christian Wood defensive rebound | ||
| 7:49 | | Austin Reaves misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:47 | | LeBron James offensive rebound | ||
| 7:46 | | +2 | LeBron James makes two point putback layup | 47-34 |
| 7:30 | | Stanley Umude misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:28 | | Marvin Bagley III offensive rebound | ||
| 7:28 | | Austin Reaves blocks Marvin Bagley III's two point putback layup | ||
| 7:28 | | Pistons offensive rebound | ||
| 7:25 | | Cade Cunningham misses two point jump shot | ||
| 7:25 | | Lakers defensive rebound | ||
| 7:25 | | Isaiah Stewart personal foul (Loose ball) (LeBron James draws the foul) | ||
| 7:14 | | LeBron James misses two point driving layup | ||
| 7:13 | | LeBron James offensive rebound | ||
| 7:11 | | Jalen Duren blocks LeBron James's two point putback layup | ||
| 7:10 | | Anthony Davis offensive rebound | ||
| 7:10 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point tip dunk | 49-34 |
| 7:00 | | +2 | Jalen Duren makes two point cutting dunk (Cade Cunningham assists) | 49-36 |
| 6:47 | | LeBron James misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 6:43 | | Cade Cunningham defensive rebound | ||
| 6:33 | | D'Angelo Russell blocks Jaden Ivey's two point driving layup | ||
| 6:30 | | Max Christie defensive rebound | ||
| 6:19 | | D'Angelo Russell misses three point running pullup jump shot | ||
| 6:17 | | Jalen Duren defensive rebound | ||
| 6:12 | | Anthony Davis blocks Cade Cunningham's two point layup | ||
| 6:12 | | Max Christie defensive rebound | ||
| 5:50 | | Taurean Prince misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:50 | | Pistons defensive rebound | ||
| 5:50 | | Pistons 60 second timeout | ||
| 5:39 | | Max Christie shooting foul (Jaden Ivey draws the foul) | ||
| 5:39 | | +1 | Jaden Ivey makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 49-37 |
| 5:39 | | +1 | Jaden Ivey makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 49-38 |
| 5:17 | | Anthony Davis misses two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 5:14 | | Cade Cunningham defensive rebound | ||
| 5:12 | | Max Christie blocks Cade Cunningham's two point running layup | ||
| 5:12 | | Lakers defensive rebound | ||
| 5:03 | | Cam Reddish misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 5:01 | | Anthony Davis offensive rebound | ||
| 4:58 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two po |