Detroit Pistons: John Collins Double-Double Sparks 122-111 Win Over Wizards

After starting slow during Sunday night’s loss, the Detroit Pistons made sure to step on the gas pedal a little earlier in their 122-111 win over the Washington Wizards, which pushed the Motown squad to 7-3 on the year. 

Playing on the tail end of a back-to-back, the Pistons made an alteration to the starting lineup for the first time since Jalen Duren’s injury forced Paul Reed into the first five. With the Wizards in the Motor City, John Collins actually slid to the five, which bumped Reed to the bench and allowed Daniss Jenkins to start his first game of the season after a career-high 31-point effort the game before. 

Right off the bat, the Pistons worked to get Collins involved in the action after a couple quiet games from the new addition. As a center, Collins finished off multiple lobs in the first quarter, and Jenkins snagged multiple steals to help bring about the aforementioned lobs, as the Pistons put up 31 points in the first quarter. 

Now, on the other side of the matchup, Anthony Davis entered the contest as a game-time decision but certainly showed up ready to work for the Wizards. David connected on his first nine field goal attempts from the floor in what was a dominant 30-point, eight-rebound first half performance from the big man, who has a history of showing out in Detroit. Davis finished the game with 44 points and 13 rebounds, which means the Pistons have allowed 40-point scorers in consecutive games, but fortunately for Detroit, AD was the only Washington player to score more than 22. 

Holding a 68-58 advantage at halftime, the Pistons got right back to business in the third quarter with a 35-point frame, but the team’s depth was called upon when Cade Cunningham picked up his fifth personal foul of the game. With so much time left in the third, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff plugged Jenkins into the floor general role, but Ebuka Okorie picked up some playing time to open the fourth quarter before Cunningham returned to action to close the game. 

From a scoring standpoint, Collins posted 24 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in one of his more impactful starts for Detroit. Neither Duncan Robinson nor Jenkins were too far off that pace with 22 points apiece as well, but Collins had a team-high in terms of raw production and output. 

Even though Reed served in a reserve role with just 21 minutes on the night, B-Ball Paul tied Collins with a team-high 10 boards, so he found a way to stay active in his familiar role off the bench. After the game, Bickerstaff said that the squad would continue to evaluate their personnel to decide who the starting center will be with Duren still unavailable, so there is a potential that Collins sticks at the five for the time being— at least until JD returns. 

Moving forward, the Pistons have two days off before facing the 4-7 Wizards on their turf on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 pm.