Reaves Drops 43 as Lakers Snap Losing Streak Against Detroit

Austin Reaves scored 43 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.

The win ended a four-game losing streak for Los Angeles against Detroit. Star guard Luka Doncic sat out with lower-back tightness. He had averaged 45 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in his previous four games. Walker Kessler contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers.

The Lakers established a commanding lead early in the contest. They outscored the Pistons by 24 points in the first quarter. Los Angeles shot 69.6 percent from the field, making 16 of 23 attempts. They also converted five of eight three-point attempts during that period.

Detroit mounted a comeback effort in the second half. Daniss Jenkins scored a career-high 31 points in 32 minutes off the bench. Kevin Huerter added 24 points. The Pistons trailed 40-14 early in the second quarter but pulled within 61-48 on a buzzer-beater by Jenkins at halftime.

Reaves kept the lead alive with 13 points in the third quarter. Detroit finished the third quarter with a 13-2 run that included four straight layups, cutting the deficit to 84-81. The Pistons entered the fourth quarter trailing by seven points. Their starting lineup did not have a single player score in double figures. Huerter and Jenkins combined for 44 points, outscoring the starters 44-30.

Detroit had a chance to tie the game at 90 with 9:14 remaining in the fourth. Cade Cunningham missed the second of two free throws. Los Angeles regained a six-point lead with 3:32 left. Kessler added a three-point play to make it 107-99 with 2:15 remaining. Reaves hit an off-balance three-pointer with 46 seconds left and then made free throws to seal the win.

The Lakers travel to Atlanta on Monday night. The Pistons host Washington on Monday night.