Pistons outmatched by Clippers in Kawhi Leonard’s monster night

It was nan incorrect nighttime for nan Detroit Pistons to commencement slow connected either extremity of nan court.

There wasn’t overmuch getting successful nan measurement of Kawhi Leonard and nan Los Angeles Clippers Sunday nighttime arsenic Leonard matched a franchise grounds pinch 55 points to lead a ascendant 112-99 triumph complete nan Pistons astatine Intuit Dome.

The nonaccomplishment was nan astir lopsided of nan play for Detroit (24-8) since a 21-point conclusion to nan Cleveland Cavaliers. That was antecedently nan Pistons’ lone nonaccomplishment by much than 4 points.

While nan Clippers (10-21) person now extended their season-best 4 crippled winning streak, nan Pistons dropped their 2nd crippled successful a row, making them 2-2 connected their existent roadworthy trip.

After a scoreless first half, Cade Cunningham surged successful nan 2nd half pinch 27 points and six of his 9 assists, but nan harm had already been done connected a grounds nighttime for Leonard.

The first half was a messiness arsenic nan Pistons showed from early that shots weren’t going to fall.

Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris were capable to make a fewer makes successful nan paint, but pinch Cade Cunningham struggling to sound down his shots and picking up 3 fouls successful nan first 4th nan Pistons recovered themselves successful a hole.

After picking up his 2nd foul, Cunningham had nan shot stolen by Kris Dunn, who group up James Harden for a modulation three-pointer and 16-6 lead for nan Clippers.

A 13-2 tally from Clippers sewage them retired to a commanding 19-point lead arsenic nary 1 extracurricular of Duren — who scored 16 successful nan first half — could make much.

Fellow large Isaiah Stewart added immoderate offense, showcasing his turnaround hook changeable and making an assertive dunk early successful nan 2nd 4th to trim Los Angeles’ lead to 9 points.

But things didn’t get overmuch amended from there. As Kawhi Leonard put nan finishing touches connected a 25-point half, nan Pistons were ending nan half by shooting 0-of-12 from heavy pinch 9 turnovers and conscionable 8 assists connected 16 full made baskets.

Outside of Duren and Stewart, Detroit changeable 5-of-28 from nan section successful nan first half and earned a nasty 60-42 shortage astatine nan break.

Cunningham returned pinch a spark successful nan 2nd half, scoring nan first 8 points for nan Pistons — including a brace of threes — and starring a 10-5 run.

But Cunningham was outdone successful nan play by Leonard. Cunningham’s 15-point, two-assists 4th couldn’t lucifer 26 from Leonard connected 9-of-12 shooting to turn nan Clippers lead by different 5 points.

With Leonard connected nan chair to statesman nan 4th quarter, nan Pistons started to claw their measurement backmost successful pinch Javonte Green scoring 7 points early successful nan quarter.

Cunningham chipped successful 12 much points and moreover closed nan spread to arsenic small arsenic 11 points aft a travel to nan foul line. Time ran debased and Harden served arsenic nan person pinch 11 of his 28 points successful nan 4th to support Detroit from a chaotic comeback.

BOX SCORE

Up next: History was made for nan Clippers astatine nan disbursal of nan Pistons Sunday nighttime and now Detroit will effort and bounce backmost and decorativeness their five-game roadworthy travel pinch a affirmative grounds successful Los Angeles against nan Lakers connected Tuesday. The crippled will beryllium broadcast connected NBC successful a item nationalist TV spot for Detroit.

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Jacob Richman is simply a sports newsman for MLive.com and covers pro and assemblage teams crossed Michigan. Before joining MLive, Jacob covered assemblage sports successful Texas astatine LoneStarLive.com pinch a attraction connected Texas A&M and...