The Sports Xchange
Oct 20, 2017
WASHINGTON -- Otto Porter scored 28 points and John Wall had 27 points and 10 assists as the Washington Wizards improved to 2-0 with a 115-111 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Bradley Beal finished with 24 points as the Wizards held on after letting a 15-point fourth-quarter lead slip away. Washington shot 57.1 percent from the field.
Reggie Jackson scored 21 points and Avery Bradley had 18 for Detroit (1-1). The Pistons sank 52.4 percent of their shots from the floor.
Detroit center Andre Drummond had nine points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 9:15 remaining with his team trailing 98-83. The Pistons immediately rallied with a 14-0 run and eventually took the lead at 104-102.
Washington responded for a 111-106 lead and remained on top at 113-111. Wall blocked Jackson's driving layup attempt with 14 seconds left. Following a couple of loose-ball situations that took time off the clock, Wall hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining.
Porter scored 20 points in the first half. He hit his only two 3-pointers in the third quarter as Washington turned a 65-58 halftime deficit into a 91-81 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Washington opened last season with three consecutive losses and was 2-8 after 10 games before rallying for a 49-win season.
Wall scored 11 points in the third quarter as the Wizards outscored the Pistons 33-16 in the period.
Drummond was held below his season averages in three games against Washington last season, averaging 8.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. The big man surpassed both numbers in the first half with nine points and 10 rebounds - six offensive - but wasn't much help after halftime.
Porter became the second player to replace power forward Markieff Morris (hernia surgery) in as many games. Kelly Oubre Jr. (four points) started at the other forward spot. Center Marcin Gortat scored 10 points.
The Pistons downed the Charlotte Hornets 102-90 in the regular season opener behind 27 points and 10 rebounds from Tobias Harris.
Pistons rookie Luke Kennard, the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, sank his first five field-goal attempts after not playing in Detroit's season opener. He finished with 11 points, and the Pistons' bench had 38 points.
Washington downed the Philadelphia 76ers 120-115 on Wednesday.
NOTES: Wizards F Jason Smith (shoulder), injured in the regular season opener, was ruled out Friday. Wednesday's starting power forward is hopeful a couple days of rest will have him ready for Monday's game at Denver. ... F Stanley Johnson, questionable to play with back tightness, had 10 points for Detroit. ... Washington's four-game road trip also includes G John Wall's first career meeting against Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball and a matchup versus defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Oct. 27. ... The Pistons remain on the road for a meeting Saturday against the New York Knicks. The teams split a four-game series last season with the home team winning each contest.