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The Detroit Pistons propelled the third quarter on Friday after a shaky first half, but couldn’t make their way to the end in a downhill game.
Detroit fell to the Sacramento Kings 110-107 in their second straight loss, as they returned home to Little Caesars Arena after a week-long road trip.
Detroit (9-24) had strong performances from Jerami Grant and Dennis Smith Jr. in the third quarter to help the team erase Sacramento’s five-point lead. The two combined for 21 points in the third to help the Pistons take control of the game by the end of the quarter. Detroit lost ground, however, in the fourth as the Kings went on an 11-3 run to restore their pace.
The game ended in the dying minutes as both teams scrambled to the free throw line to slow any chance of momentum to pick up. The Pistons tried to turn to Grant to tie things up, but his three-shot didn’t fall and the Kings sank another free kick to seal the result.
Nine games and four starts in his tenure with the Pistons, newly acquired guard Smith showed just how much more comfortable he has become over his two weeks with the team. He slowly adapted to attack and has now scored double-digit points in three straight games. Smith finished the night with 17 points and six assists, a season high, as he continues to plead for his place in Detroit.
Smith and center veteran Mason Plumlee were the Pistons’ top hosts. The two combined for 28 points and 12 assists.
Forward Jerami Grant returned to the fight after a night’s rest. He’s scored 30 points and picked up seven rebounds to score the seventh time this season he’s scored 30 points or more. He made seven of his 17 total shooting attempts and went 2 for 7 of three. He was more efficient on the track making all of his 15 moves except one to the free throw line.
Rookie Saddiq Bey, who was dubious on the night with a sprained left ankle, went 5 for 9 beyond the arc to end the night as one of Detroit’s hottest shooters. Bey finished the game with 17 points and headed six rebounds. He’s made five or more triples in four games.
The Pistons had sought to take advantage of the Kings (13-20), who entered the evening on a streak of nine consecutive losses.
It didn’t have to be, however.
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