LOS ANGELES — In a matchup between clubs with the longest losing streaks in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers found a way to end their skid.
Forward Jordan Hill scored 16 points to lead seven Los Angeles players in double figures, and the Lakers held off the Detroit Pistons for a 93-85 victory Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Forwards Wesley Johnson and Ed Davis added 13 points each for the Lakers, who snapped a five-game slide. Los Angeles guard Jeremy Lin had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while point guard Jordan Clarkson had a career-high eight assists to go along with 10 points.
Forward Greg Monroe scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Pistons, who dropped their seventh in a row. Center Andre Drummond finished with 21 rebounds and 14 points, while guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points. Pistons guard Reggie Jackson, who averaged 18.7 points in his previous three contests, was limited to two points on 1-of-9 shooting. He also committed five turnovers.
The Lakers (17-46) held a 78-69 lead after a layup by Lin with 6:57 remaining in the game before the Pistons rallied. A tip-in by Drummond pulled Detroit within 83-80 with 2:57 left. However, the Pistons (23-40) couldn’t convert on key possessions down the stretch, allowing the Lakers to prevail.
Detroit, which trailed most of the first half, held a 50-49 lead at the break. Monroe scored 13 first-half points on 6-of-8 shooting. The Pistons hit 50 percent of their shots before the break compared to 47.5 percent for the Lakers. Overall, the Lakers hit 42.7 percent to 38.6 percent for the Pistons.
Los Angeles opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run for a 59-52 advantage after Clarkson scored on a drive. Detroit, though, cut the deficit to one after Monroe scored inside, but the Lakers increased the margin to 67-61 to end the third.
Pistons guard Jodie Meeks, a former Laker, finished with 12 points.
NOTES: Poor shooting and a porous defense contributed to the Pistons’ recent downfall. “We haven’t been shooting the ball very well. I think that’s been one of the overriding things,” said Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy, whose club was within a game of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference in late February before falling five back heading into Tuesday’s game. “Our defense has been spotty; it’s been up and down.” … Lakers G/F Kobe Bryant, who is out for the season, discussed the rehabilitation of his torn right rotator cuff before the game. Bryant said he would begin running in two weeks and shooting drills in about a month. … The Pistons visit the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The Lakers host the New York Knicks on Thursday.