With seconds left, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons had the ball taken away by Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, leaving the Blazers behind by three points at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night.
After falling behind 22 points in the second quarter, Beasley then bounded down the floor as the final seconds passed, giving the Pistons a 118-115 victory.
Simons told reporters it was unfortunate. In it till the final performance. I wish we had it back.
After an intense, back-and-forth fourth quarter in which Simons scored 17 points to finish with a season-high 36, the final play was made.
The Blazers excelled in a number of areas. They recorded a season-high 32 assists and shot 45.7% from three-point range and 53.3% from the field.
But the Blazers made 3 of 5 and Portland forced Detroit to the free-throw line, making 19 of 22. With 17 offensive rebounds, the Pistons scored 21 second-chance points against the Blazers’ 11. Additionally, the Blazers scored 14 points off of Detroit’s 15 turnovers, while Detroit converted 16 Blazers turnovers into 21 points.
The Blazers started the evening by seeing coach Chauncey Billups, who played for the Pistons for eight years and guided them to the 2004 NBA championship, be recognized.
Before the Pistons started to reduce their deficit and fell behind 60-51 at the half, the apparently spirited Blazers went out and took a 22-point advantage in the second quarter.
Billups encouraged reporters to give Detroit credit. We ultimately calmed down coming into halftime with a nine-point advantage after they got down big early, increased the pressure, and sped us up a little.
With 20 assists in the first half, the Blazers tied their season best and helped them shoot 56.8% from the field.
The Blazers had a less successful second half. Detroit led 63-62 after a 12-2 surge to start the third quarter. From then on, the intensity of the game increased.
Seven lead changes occurred as a result of the teams trading baskets for the majority of the fourth quarter. However, Detroit made a few stops late in the quarter and took a 114-110 lead with 53.9 seconds left after a three-pointer by Beasley.
On Monday, January 6, 2025, in Detroit, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons dunks against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of an NBA basketball game. (Duane Burleson/AP Photo) APAP
Beasley’s two free throws seconds later gave the Pistons a 117–112 lead. With 12 seconds remaining, Simons responded with a deep three to make the score 117-115.
With 8.3 seconds remaining, the score was 118-116 after the Blazers fouled Beasley, who made his first free shot but missed the second.
The Blazers went to Simons, who was stripped to end the game while dribbling the ball to put up his last shot.
Simons shot 14 of 21 from the field and 8 of 12 from three-point range while dishing out nine assists. Shaedon Sharpe recorded a career-high eight assists in addition to his 20 points.
Regarding Sharpe, Billups remarked, “I was really proud of his playmaking tonight.” One turnover, too.
Deandre Ayton, the center, scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 26 points and Cade Cunningham scored 32 points to lead the Pistons.
On January 06, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives past Portland Trail Blazers #24 Kris Murray during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Gregory Shamus)Getty Pictures
IMPORTANCE OF IT
The Pistons (18-18) won their seventh game in eight games, while the Blazers (12-23) lost 1-2 on their five-game trip.
BILLUPS WITH A REGRET
Billups expressed sorrow for contesting a call in the third quarter, which cost him a timeout and left the team with two points.
“I wish I could go back and change that one thing,” Billups remarked. Guys had to play some pretty extended stints, so I felt like it hurt us. You also want your troops to be fresh at the end of the game. They weren’t very fresh, in my opinion.
UPCOMING
The Blazers visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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