Pistons
Wizards Survive Pistons' 20-Point Comeback Bid, Win in Overtime
The Washington Wizards beat the Detroit Pistons 114-108 in overtime at Capital One Arena, holding on after blowing nearly all of a 20-point first-quarter lead. Washington's bench, led by Will Riley and Tre Johnson with 15 points apiece, outlasted a Detroit rally fueled by Ebuka Okorie and Paul Reed. It's a preseason game, so nothing in the standings changes, but both teams got an extended look at their depth pieces.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 11 d ago01The story of the nightPistons Erase 20-Point Hole, Wizards Hold On in OTWashington raced out to a 40-20 lead after the first quarter, its biggest lead of the night at 20 points.
Washington raced out to a 40-20 lead after the first quarter, its biggest lead of the night at 20 points. Detroit answered by outscoring the Wizards 30-16 in the second quarter and 28-24 in the third, pulling the score to 78-80 entering the fourth. The Pistons then matched Washington 20-18 in the final period to force overtime tied at 98-98. In the extra session the Wizards finished the job, outscoring Detroit 16-10 to escape with a 114-108 win despite blowing most of their early cushion.
02Bench Scorers Carry Both SidesNeither team got a 20-point game, a sign of deep preseason rotations.
Neither team got a 20-point game, a sign of deep preseason rotations. Washington's reserves outproduced its starters: Will Riley scored 15 points on a perfect 8-of-8 at the line and Tre Johnson added 15 on 4-of-6 three-point shooting, both off the bench. Starter Kyshawn George matched them with 14 points and 3 blocks, also going 8-for-8 from the line. For Detroit, Ebuka Okorie led all scorers off the bench with 14 points, and Paul Reed added 11 points and 9 rebounds. Anthony Davis managed only 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting but grabbed 11 rebounds for Washington.
03Washington's Line and Paint Edge Outweighs Detroit's BoardsDetroit controlled the possession numbers, out-rebounding Washington 64-61, out-assisting the Wizards 30-25, and…
Detroit controlled the possession numbers, out-rebounding Washington 64-61, out-assisting the Wizards 30-25, and winning the paint 48-36. But Washington shot better overall, 46.5% to 36.8%, got to the free-throw line far more often, 51 attempts to 25, and converted 38 of those, while running for 23 fast-break points against Detroit's 9. The Wizards also blocked 10 shots to Detroit's 2. Detroit forced more turnovers with 16 steals to Washington's 10, and Washington actually turned it over more, 27 to 20, but those extra Pistons live-ball chances were not enough to offset Washington's work at the rim and the line.
04What It MeansThis was a preseason game, so no standings shifted, but both rosters got a long look at their depth.
This was a preseason game, so no standings shifted, but both rosters got a long look at their depth. Washington leaned on Riley, Johnson and George to answer every Detroit push, a useful sign for a bench the Wizards will need all season. Detroit's response from Reed, Okorie and Tolu Smith, who added 6 points and 13 rebounds, showed fight after falling behind by 20, even if Isaiah Joe's 2-of-11 shooting night is a rough one to shake off before games start counting.
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