Ex-Wolverine Jordan Poole scores 32 points in Warriors’ 105-102 win over Pistons

Detroit News

Detroit — The headliner wasn’t able to play, but the understudy was more than ready to play the lead role.

Steph Curry didn’t play in the second game of a back-to-back, but even without the frontrunner for league MVP, the Golden State Warriors had enough scoring.

Third-year guard Jordan Poole (Michigan) picked up the slack and the Warriors still were lethal from 3-point range.

The Pistons kept it close in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors pulled away in the final minutes for a 105-102 victory before a sellout crowd at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night.

BOX SCORE: Warriors 105, Pistons 102

Frank Jackson had a season-high 27 points, Jerami Grant added 19 points and Cade Cunningham 19 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Pistons (4-11), who next face the Lakers on Sunday.

Curry, who had 40 points — including nine 3-pointers — on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, had a suitable replacement in Poole, who went 4-of-8 beyond the arc and finished with 32 points and seven rebounds.

More: Here’s why report of Pistons’ interest in Ben Simmons seems unlikely

Of bigger importance to the Pistons is the health of center Isaiah Stewart, who sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter and had to be helped off the court to the locker room.

Stewart was ruled out of the game, but he later returned to the bench and his return was questionable, though he didn’t play the rest of the game.

The Pistons were within 91-85 with 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter after a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by Jackson, but the Warriors (14-2) rallied with a lay-in by Nemanja Bjelica and two free throws and a stepback jumper from Wiggins (27 points and five rebounds).

More: Pistons get glimpse of ‘championship pedigree’ in clash with Warriors

Cunningham ended the run with a fadeaway jumper, but Poole followed with a drive and a highlight-reel reverse to extend the lead back to 14 after the 10-2 run.

The Pistons kept chipping away at the lead in the final minutes. Grant scored on a lay-in and Jackson followed with a drive to get within 10.

Cory Joseph (eight points and five assists) converted a three-point play and Poole answered with a floater, but the Pistons scored the next six free throws, including four by Cunningham and two by Jackson.

That pulled the Pistons to within 104-100 with 1:43 remaining. Wiggins made one of two free throws to push the lead to five, and Saddiq Bey looked to have a basket to pull within three points, but it was waived off because of basket interference.

Grant was fouled and made two free throws with 33.3 seconds left to get within 105-102, and Cunningham had a big block to give the Pistons possession with a chance to tie it with a 3-pointer.

The Pistons got two looks in the final seconds — one from Grant and another good one from Jackson — but they both rolled out and the Warriors held on for the victory.

The shorthanded Cavaliers also were without ex-Spartan Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter.

Articles You May Like

The Pindown: Ivey & Duren’s Future in Detroit
2024 NBA Draft Profile: Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht complements the Pistons offense
Final: Jaden Ivey and whatever’s left of the Pistons dismantled by the Knicks in NYC

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *