DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – It wasn’t the epic 1990’s battle for the NBA Championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons but it did come down to the fourth quarter. The Lakers held off a late Detroit charge handing the Pistons a loss on their home court, 124-117. Detroit is now 7-22 on the year and 4-9 at home.

As the third quarter ended, Detroit was down, 91-90, after starting the period with a 12-point deficit. Bojan Bogdanovic made three free throws with 17 seconds left to cut the lead to one as Detroit was making a move for the lead. LA’s Anthony Davis put the lead to four on an and-one just 15 seconds in, 94-90, but Alec Burks followed with a layup to stay within two. LA responded with a 6-2 run to go up, 100-94 with 10 minutes left to play.

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Kevin Knox III had a driving layup to stay within four, 100-96, but LA kept their distance with a five-point lead, 104-99, with 8:28 to go. A three-pointer by Saddiq Bey had the lead down to two, again, 104-102, but five straight LA points gave the Lakers a five-point lead, 109-104. Lebron James made it an eight-point lead, 114-106 (4:04), but with 1:01 left Detroit came within four, 119-115 on a Burks shot. After LA missed their shot on the next possession, Detroit couldn’t cut the lead to two as they missed two shots but Bogdanovic’s second try did fall in with 35 seconds left as the Pistons were within two, 119-117. That was the last bucket made by Detroit as LA canned a three-pointer and then the Pistons missed a three-pointer with two seconds left as Davis was fouled. He made both free throws to end the game, 124-117.

Bogdanoivc had another stellar game with 38 points and four rebounds shooting 12-of-22 from the floor. Jaden Ivey added 16 points while Bey had 14, Burks 11, and Marvin Bagley III had 10. Jalen Duren posted 13 rebounds.

In the first half, Detroit was down 32-26 at the end of the first and then 61-49 at the half. Detroit finished shooting in the game 46 percent but LA finished at 54 percent. LA also won the rebound battle, 42-40.