The Detroit Pistons will aim to secure back-to-back wins for just the second time this season when they face the struggling Washington Wizards on Sunday.
The Pistons began their three-game road trip with a 127-120 overtime loss in Milwaukee on Wednesday but rebounded with a 99-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors two nights later, marking their fifth win in eight games.
Malik Beasley, starting in place of the injured Tim Hardaway Jr. (head), led the way with four of the team’s eight 3-pointers and finished with 20 points on Friday. Cade Cunningham added 15 points and 10 assists for his sixth double-double of the season, while Jaden Ivey scored 14 points in his return from a one-game absence due to a toe injury.
Detroit showcased a balanced scoring effort with six players reaching double figures. Cunningham credited Wendell Moore Jr. and Marcus Sasser for their valuable contributions off the bench, with Moore tallying eight points and six rebounds, and Sasser adding six points and five rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are enduring a seven-game losing streak and are in need of a turnaround.
Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 24 points and nine rebounds in their 129-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, but he lamented missed opportunities. Rookie Alexandre Sarr impressed with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and added four steals and three blocks despite the vocal Atlanta crowd.
Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, continues to show promise for the Wizards. Last season, the Pistons and Wizards split their four-game series, with the road team winning each matchup
