Reaves scores 43 as Lakers hold off Pistons 121-116

Austin Reaves scored 43 points, including the last two on free throws, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116 on Sunday, November 8, without Luka Doncic.

Reaves made all 11 of his free throws and shot 14-of-27 from the field, 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Walker Kessler added 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers (9-2). Doncic was out with low back tightness.

Los Angeles never trailed, though sportsbooks and our projection both gave Detroit about a 70 percent chance. The Lakers scored 38 points in the first quarter, with two 10-0 runs, and led 40-14 early in the second.

The Pistons (6-3) outscored the Lakers in each of the last three quarters. An 11-0 run closed the third and cut it to 84-81. Los Angeles still led 97-94 with five minutes left, and Detroit never got ahead.

Reaves made a free throw with 18.1 seconds left for a 118-112 lead. Cade Cunningham answered with a dunk, Ziaire Williams hit one of two free throws, and Kevin Huerter's driving layup with 2.6 seconds left made it 119-116. Reaves then made both of his free throws.

Huerter, who came in averaging 6.5 points this season, scored 24 on 9-of-14 shooting and blocked five shots. Daniss Jenkins led Detroit with 31 points off the bench and made 8 of 15 3-pointers.

Cunningham had 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting, with eight assists and four turnovers, and the Pistons were outscored by 15 points while he played. Detroit's bench scored 67 points, and the team made 19 of 48 3-pointers.

The Lakers went 26-of-33 at the line to Detroit's 13-of-20. Williams and Collin Sexton scored 17 points each off the Los Angeles bench.

Up next

Lakers: at the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, November 9.

Pistons: home against the Washington Wizards on Monday, November 9.