Westbrook, Wizards hang on to defeat Pistons
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Cory Joseph #18 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists and the Washington Wizards withstood a furious Detroit rally and snapped a three-game losing streak 106-92 on Saturday.
Both teams’ top scorers left the game early. Washington’s Bradley Beal suffered a right hip contusion, while Detroit’s Jerami Grant suffered a quad contusion.
Beal had 17 points and six assists in 21 minutes for the Wizards, who nearly gave away a 30-point, second-half lead. Rui Hachimura supplied 14 points and Daniel Gafford, acquired from Chicago on Thursday, contributed 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks in his Wizards debut.
Wayne Ellington’s 15 points led the Pistons, who have dropped four straight. Isaiah Stewart and Mason Plumlee added 11 points and eight rebounds apiece.
The game got away from the Pistons in the last four minutes of the opening quarter. Washington went on a 13-3 run to take a 33-22 lead. Gafford scored four inside baskets during that span, three of which were set up by Westbrook.
Westbrook scored six points in the first four minutes of the second quarter to increase the Wizards’ lead to 16.
In the last 3:14 of the quarter, Washington outscored Detroit 16-4 to grab a 68-41 halftime lead. Beal scored eight of those points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Deni Avdija and Westbrook drained 3-pointers in the last 30 seconds to cap off the Wizards’ big half. Beal and Westbrook combined for 32 points by the break.
Russ big time triple-double ‼️
19 PTS, 19 REB, 10 AST from @russwest44 guides the @WashWizards to victory! pic.twitter.com/qg6XOe6gUW
— NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2021
An Alex Len dunk three minutes into the second half increased the Wizards’ lead to 30, 74-44. Detroit suddenly awoke, going on a 25-2 run to cut Washington’s advantage to seven points.
Ellington was the sparkplug, as he drained three 3-pointers and set up a Saddiq Bey dunk.
By the end of the quarter, Detroit was down just 79-75.
Stewart converted two putbacks to get the Pistons within three points but that’s as close as they would get. The Wizards scored the next nine points, including a Westbrook layup and assist, to make it 91-79 midway through the quarter. The Wizards led by double digits the rest of the way.
