Matchup of NBA cellar dwellers ends in a rare win for the Wizards

DETROIT — A streak was going to end inside Little Caesars Arena on Monday night, one way or another. Neither was one that anybody was proud of.

The showdown between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons brought together the two teams with the NBA’s worst records; each began the day with just two wins. Detroit had lost 13 games in a row, while Washington had merely dropped nine straight.

The Wizards’ skid didn’t make it to double digits: They had one of their best defensive performances of the season in a 126-107 victory that extended the Pistons’ misery. Washington entered with the second-worst scoring defense in the NBA, then allowed its third-fewest points of the season.

“It sucks to lose, and we’ve been losing real bad,” forward Kyle Kuzma said. “It’s definitely tough. We just need to continue to build on what we did. I think today we did a good job defensively, just from a standpoint of where we need to be on the floor and our positioning. We’ve got to continue it.”

The Wizards quickly overcame a slow start and methodically pulled away thanks to a 37-point third quarter powered by Kuzma, a native of Flint, Mich. Kuzma had 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the third quarter alone. He finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, including a deep three-pointer to end the third quarter with the Wizards leading 94-83. He has averaged 25.8 points over his past four games in Detroit.

“I love it. This is probably one of my favorite arenas,” he said. “Growing up a Pistons fan my whole life, always wanted to play on this court. So I always get an extra bump here. My mom’s in the crowd — I can’t disappoint.”

“His level of aggression was great, but there was purpose,” Coach Wes Unseld Jr. added.

The Wizards (3-14) went to halftime with a 57-54 lead. They had overcome a slow start that prompted Unseld to call a timeout less than three minutes in after his team fell behind 10-2, with the Pistons scoring all 10 points in the paint. The Wizards answered with an 8-0 run to tie the score and shortly after used a 9-0 stretch, highlighted by a Kuzma three, to take a 23-17 lead. They never trailed again.

Danilo Gallinari came off the bench and chipped in 16 points. Deni Avdija had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists; the fourth-year player surpassed 500 career assists.

“We played with a good intensity, a good rhythm offensively,” Gallinari said. “We were sharing the ball, and my teammates were playing those handoffs in pick and roll the right way. ... They gave me some open looks. I was able to knock them down.”

Cade Cunningham had 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Pistons, while rookie Ausar Thompson used his athleticism to post 16 points. Jalen Duren added 12 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

The Pistons (2-15) are far from an offensive juggernaut, but Unseld was happy with his team’s defensive efforts. Detroit shot 42.2 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from behind the arc.

“We were well connected defensively,” Unseld said. “We’ve been preaching being in the right spot at the right time, and we’ve shown it for certain stretches. But this was probably by far the most we’ve seen our guys really kind of lean in on that, and it really helped us just take away some of the paint. That helped us offensively by giving us opportunities to run out. I hope it’s a mind-set, that we’re capable. Just have to do it for longer stretches.

Here’s what else to know about the Wizards’ win:

Back on the block

Jordan Poole returned to the Wizards’ lineup after missing the previous game with an ankle injury. He didn’t have his most efficient night; he scored 10 points on 3-for-9 shooting. He also was whistled for a technical foul late in the third quarter; Kuzma had to walk him away from the official.

Good use of his time

Kuzma flew into Michigan ahead of the team so he could participate in a ceremony in Flint to promote and celebrate his foundation’s partnership with prison reform programs for women.

The I.G.N.I.T.E. program supports those incarcerated with life education skills programs, while R.I.S.E. focuses on support systems for those reentering society. Kuzma’s foundation donated $60,000 in clothing for those coming out of the R.I.S.E. program. It also is working to improve facilities that were built without women in mind.

“It’s a forgotten space,” Kuzma said. “The prison system is very, very messed up. ... For us to be able to come in and do some special, refurbished housing in the jails, it’s special.”

Up next

Monday’s win opened a four-game road trip. The Wizards play at Orlando on Wednesday and Friday, then visit Philadelphia next Monday. Add in last week’s games at Charlotte and Milwaukee, and Washington will play six of seven games on the road.