The Lakers couldn't overcome the Pistons on Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers' winning streak finally came to an end Monday night after a 113-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Luka Doncic put up another strong performance with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Austin Reaves followed with 24 points while shooting 7-15 from the field along with two rebounds and five assists, but it wasn't enough to stop a solid performance from the Pistons throughout.
Detroit really took the edge with a huge 42 point second quarter that put some serious distance on the scoreboard, but the Lakers weren't deterred.
Detroit Pistons Kevin Huerter (27) defends against Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves (15) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. David Reginek-Imagn ImagesFighting Back After the Second
Considering the run that the Lakers have been on as of late, it's not hard to see why the team's confidence is at an all-time high and that confidence showed in the way that they were able to respond despite Detroit's eruption.
The Lakers' came back with a 35 point third quarter to cut down the Pistons' lead, but despite the effort, it wasn't enough to clear the gap that formed all the way back in the second.
Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves (15) drives to the basket between Detroit Pistons Kevin Huerter (27) and Javonte Green (31) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. David Reginek-Imagn ImagesIt definitely wasn't the result that the Lakers were looking for and after the game Reaves was clearly downtrodden by the game, but he still found positives in the fact that the Lakers were able to make it competitive and he was willing to give his team some grace considering the road trip they've been on with five away games in a row.
Reaves Speaks Up
"I think we went down 16, 18 in the third and battled our way back... We did some really good things and there were some things we needed to clean up, but it's a long trip and I like the way we competed," Reaves said (via Spectrum SportsNet).
Offense has consistently been the Lakers' ticket to success this season and with the way that Doncic has been performing as of late it's easy to see why. Still, the question of the team's defensive consistency has remained a question and the fact that they allowed such a huge second quarter at all is another example of that.
Defensive execution is possibly the biggest factor that can decide a team's success int the playoffs and it's the area of the Lakers' play style that needs the most help.
The fight that they showed to stay in the game is a great sign and it's something that they haven't always had this season, but giving themselves less of a need to fight to stay in a game would be an even better step up for the team.