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DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have won back-to-back games for the first time this season, following Sunday’s 123-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena.
Veteran center Mason Plumlee had a big part in the victory after missing the previous two games with a bursitis in his right elbow. Plumlee recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He was one of the Pistons’ best hosts and averaged 3.2 assists per game.
Zion Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 draft, scored 26 points and had eight rebounds in his career debut against the Pistons.
The game also marked the return of Stan Van Gundy, who coached the Pistons for four seasons from 2014 to 2018 and was hired by New Orleans in October.
The Pistons improved to 8-19 while the Pelicans fell to 11-15.
Detroit got off to a slow start to the first quarter, allowing New Orleans to take a 10 point lead. The Pelicans outscored the home side 40-30 to finish the first, but the second quarter would play out very differently.
With a sense of urgency, the Pistons picked up the pace in the second quarter, with Dennis Smith Jr., who finished the night with nine points, in the lead. He opened the quarter with a necessary 3-pointer to bring the Pistons back to a single-digit deficit.
Rookie center Isaiah Stewart called with a block from Williamson to kick off some of the intensity they missed in the first quarter.
The Pistons ended up beating the Pelicans 34-22 in the second quarter to take the lead. They kept that energy going in the third quarter and remained in the lead of eight, ending the quarter with a 97-89 lead.
Despite the slow offensive start, the Pistons had six players with double-digit points. After shooting 44.8% overall in the first quarter, the Pistons finished the night with 53.6% overall for their second best offensive game of the season.
Detroit also received a lot of help from its reserves, collecting 52 points. The Pistons lead the league in points off the bench. The second unit was led by Josh Jackson, who scored 21 points.
Along with their good night in the paint, the Pistons had their best night beyond the arc, achieving 48.6% of their shots from long range. They sank 17 of their 35 3-point attempts, with much of that help coming from snipers Saddiq Bey and Svi Mykhailiuk.
After a record-breaking night against the Boston Celtics, Bey sank 50% of her shots on three. He went 4 of 8 at long distance and finished the night 6 of 11 overall for 16 points. He became the first Pistons rookie to record four or more 3-pointers in consecutive games. He also had four rebounds, distributed six assists and added three steals.
Mykhailiuk, who was locked in fierce competition for a few minutes, made four of his eight 3-point attempts. He finished the night 7 of 11 to earn 18 points while grabbing two rebounds and distributing six assists.
Other double-digit players to score include Delon Wright (17 points) and Jerami Grant (15 points).
The Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs (16-11) on Tuesday (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).
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