Pistons 96, Wizards 95
WASHINGTON -- Brandon Knight scored a career-high 32 points, and Greg Monroe scored 12 of his 26 points as the Detroit Pistons swept the season series by fending off the Washington Wizards for a 96-95 win on Wednesday night.
Jose Calderon matched his season-high with 18 assists as the Pistons (23-37) shot 62.5 percent from the field through three quarters and snapped their three-game losing streak. Detroit took the lead for good with a 21-2 run in the third quarter.
Trevor Ariza scored 22 points, Bradley Beal tallied 16 and Emeka Okafor had 15 for the Wizards (18-38), who trailed 96-87 with 1:06 remaining. Ariza then scored eight straight points on consecutive 3-pointers and two free throws following a clear path foul on Will Bynum with 12.3 seconds left.
Washington fumbled the ball on its final possession before Ariza airballed a potential game-winning 3-pointer from the left corner, ending the Wizards 3-game winning streak.
Knight sank 5 of 6 shots from beyond the 3-point arc as the Pistons finished 9 of 15 on 3-point attempts.
Monroe grabbed 11 rebounds and went 12 of 17 from the field.
Trailing 62-57 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, Knight's jumper started the 21-2 run and his 3-pointer capped the run, which put Detroit up 78-64. Knight and Monroe combined for 22 points in the quarter on 9 of 12 shooting while Calderon had nine assists.
Washington entered the fourth quarter trailing 82-68, but scored 11 unanswered points to pull closer at 82-79 as the Pistons missed their first eight shots of the quarter.
After the two sides traded baskets, Monroe's driving layup started a 6-0 spurt, putting Detroit up 90-81 lead with 2:59 remaining.
John Wall played sparingly throughout the game, finishing with six points, four assists while matching his season-high with seven turnovers.
Kim English scored 10 for the Pistons. Detroit entered Washington having lost four of five by an average of 18.7 points.
Detroit has won six straight overall and 14 of 16 against Washington.
Both teams shot 61 percent in the first quarter with the Pistons generating an assist on all 13 of their made field goals for a 28-24 lead. Detroit ran its assist streak to 16 and its lead to 39-29, but Washington rallied as Ariza's 3-pointer capped an 18-6 run.
Ariza scored 14 in the second as the Wizards led 55-51 at halftime.
NOTES: Wizards forward Nene sat out after suffering a right shoulder injury in Monday's 90-84 win at Toronto. Trevor Booker made his first start since Nov. 14. ... Knight (knee) returned to the Pistons' starting lineup after missing the previous three games. ... Entering Wednesday's contest, Wizards center Kevin Seraphin had not played in two straight games after seeing action in 52 straight. ... Since Jan. 7, Washington is 11-4 against teams with winning records, but 3-5 versus opponents with sub .500 records. ... . Monroe a former Georgetown star battled ex-Connecticut center Okafor on the same night their respective colleges played each other. ... The Pistons three-game road swing continues Friday at New Orleans followed by a Sunday clash at San Antonio. ... The Wizards host the New York Knicks on Friday. Washington defeated New York at home 106-96 on Feb. 6.
