DETROIT (AP) — Marcus Morris scored 31 points and Luke Kennard had 16 against his former team, helping the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Detroit Pistons 106-102 on Sunday from an 18-point deficit.
Reggie Jackson, another former Piston, finished the tournament with 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Jeremi Grant scored 21 for Detroit and Cade Cunningham had 19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Clippers, trailing 44-26 in the second quarter, took a 7-53 lead over Kennard’s 3-pointer at 85-83. He added two more 3s as Los Angeles grabbed a 97-92 lead by 4:25.
Cunningham’s layup in traffic pulled the Pistons within one, but Jackson responded with a step-back 3-pointer. Detroit went empty on the next two possessions, and Morris hit a jumper to make the 102-96 with 36.5 seconds left.
Detroit dominated the first half. The Clippers were already playing at what felt like noon, but it came the day after both teams lost an hour of sleep as Daylight Saving Time began. It seemed to be affecting their shooting legs as they shot 28.6% from the floor in the first quarter and missed all eight 3-point attempts.
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The Pistons still had a 53-39 advantage at halftime.
Clippers: C Ivica Zubac finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. … The Clippers’ most recent loss in Detroit came on November 25, 2016 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Pistons: Longtime play-by-play announcer George Blaha will be absent for the remainder of the season due to ill health. Blaha, who has been touting Pistons games on radio and television since 1976, expects to return for a 47th season this fall.
Clippers: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday
Pistons: Visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
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