Detroit Pistons survive a third quarter scare to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-107 in overtime time
Back from a winless road trip, the banged up Los Angeles Clippers were looking to halt a four match losing streak as they were pitched against one of the light weights of
the league, Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons who themselves were off to their worst road start in fifteen years finally managed to break the losing trend as they outpaced the Clippers down the stretch to
earn their first road win of the season in five attempts.
Charlie Villanueva came off the bench to score 30 points as the Pistons raced to 9-0 run in overtime to down the Los Angeles Lakers in a nerve-jangling thriller.
The match started with the Pistons racing to a 9-2 lead within the first four minutes. Austin Daye slipped in a three pointer with 6:59 left in the first quarter to make
it 14-4 as Detroit started to dominate the match. A Charlie Villanueva turnaround fade away shot made it 26-13 but the Clippers bounced back to score six consecutive points in the final minutes of the quarter to enter the second at 19-26.
The Clippers carried the momentum into the second period and Eric Bledsoe roped in a driving layup to make it a one point game at 27-26 with in the first three minutes of
the quarter. The Detroit Pistons responded back with venom as they outscored the Clippers 20-11 after that to take a 10 point lead at 57-47 into the half time.
The third quarter had been the sore point of both the teams this season. On the night it was the Clippers though, who overcame their weakness and sprinted to 13-3 run midway
to outscore Detroit 27-17 in the third quarter and make the matters even entering into the final quarter. Detroit on the other hand continued their poor third quarter run shooting only 3-for-17.
The fourth quarter started with a furious pace with both the teams making a final push for the win. The swung from one end to another as score was tied 10 times in the quarter.
Rasual Butler made a 3-pointer with 29.6 seconds remaining to give a three point cushion to the Clippers but Tayshaun Prince made a layup and Rodney Stuckey calmly converted
two free throws to make it all square at 103. The Pistons had their last shot at a win during regular time but Richard Hamilton missed a running jump shot to take the match into extra time.
The Clippers started overtime with an Eric Bledsoe Jump Shot to take the lead, but Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey combined for a 9-0 run for the Pistons as Detroit slipped
away with the match. Rasual Butler who missed six triple point shots in the period slipped in a layup shot with 14 seconds to go but it was too little too late as the Clippers lost the match 107-113.
Besides Charlie Villanueva’s heroics, Rodney Stuckey scored 17 points and 6 assists while Austin Daye and Richard Hamilton picked up 12 points apiece.
Eric Gordon carried the burden for the Clippers as he scored 28 points with 5 assists. Brendon Griffin also had an excellent game scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds while
Eric Bledsoe also netted 18 points to go with 5 assists and 6 boards.
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