Lakers end losing streak with win over Detroit Pistons, 93-85

Lakers 93 - Detroit Pistons 85 (end of regulation)

The Lakers ended their five-game losing streak on Tuesday night, sending the Detroit Pistons to their seventh-straight defeat.

Forward/center Greg Monroe missed a pair of free throw attempts with a minute left that would have put the Pistons within a point of the Lakers. With 49.6 seconds left on the clock, Jordan Hill hit a jumper off a pass from Jeremy Lin, to give the Lakers enough space to hold off Detroit.

Hill led the Lakers with 16 points as seven Lakers scored in double figures, including Wesley Johnson (13), Ed Davis (13), Wayne Ellington (11), Jordan Clarkson (10), Tarik Black (10) and Lin (12).

Clarkson set a career high with eight assists, although it was a Lin/Ellington backcourt that closed out the Pistons. Lin dished five assists with seven rebounds.

Monroe was high-man for Detroit with 24 points, along with nine rebounds. Andre Drummond scored 14 points, while pulling down a game-high 21 rebounds. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 15 while former Lakers guard Jodie Meeks added 12.

The Lakers shot 42.7% from the field but just 23.1% from three-point range (3-13). The Pistons hit 38.6% and 22.9% (8-35).

Detroit shot 68.4% from the line on 19 attempts, while the Lakers converted 86.7% on 30. Nine of Lin’s points came at the line.

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson scored just two points on one of nine shooting. Reserve Carlos Boozer led the Lakers with 10 rebounds.

The Lakers led by as many as nine while Detroit briefly held a one-point advantage.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 17-46. They’ll next host the New York Knicks (12-51) on Thursday at Staples Center. The Pistons (23-40) visit the Golden State Warriors (50-12) on Wednesday.

Lakers 67 - Detroit Pistons 61 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers re-established their lead over the Pistons through an ugly third period that saw the two teams combine for 29 points.

Jordan Clarkson set a career high with eight assists, while scoring 10 points on four of 12 shooting. The Lakers scored 18 points in the quarter, shooting 43.1% for the game.

The Pistons managed just 11 points and 39.7% from the field through 36 minutes. Greg Monroe was the game’s leading scorer at 15 points. Andre Drummond hit a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Jordan Hill paced the Lakers with 12 points. Wesley Johnson scored 11, while Tarik Black added 10.

Both teams turned the ball over eight times.

Detroit Pistons 50 - Lakers 49 (halftime)

The Lakers’ lead didn’t last to halftime, as the Pistons climbed ahead on a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left in the period.

Greg Monroe led all scorers with 13 points. Andre Drummond neared a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in 15 minutes.

The Lakers got 10 points from Jordan Hill and nine from Wesley Johnson. Jordan Clarkson scored six points while dishing seven assists.

Detroit shot 50.0% from the field but just 28.6% from three-point range (4-14). The Lakers hit 47.5% and 28.6% (2-7), respectively.

The Pistons out-scored the Lakers 30-24 in the second quarter.

Lakers 25 - Detroit Pistons 20 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers took an early lead in the first quarter against the Pistons, pulling ahead by as many as seven points while shooting 45.5% from the field.

Jordan Hill scored eight points, with Wesley Johnson right behind him at seven.

The Pistons were led by Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, both with eight. Detroit shot 45.5% from the field without attempting a free throw. The Lakers converted all four tries at the line.

Jordan Clarkson made just one of three shot attempts, but scored four points and dished five assists in 12 minutes of play.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-46) have lost five straight, but on Tuesday night at Staples Center, they’ll host the Detroit Pistons (23-29), who have lost six in a row.

Detroit is without Brandon Jennings (Achilles) for the year, while center Joel Anthony (groin) is questionable.

For the Lakers, Nick Young is out with a knee injury while Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back) are all done for the season.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus