After Big First Half, Pistons Hold Off Kings, 115-108
NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer
AUBURN HILLS (AP) — Marcus Morris scored 20 of his 24 points in the first half, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made a couple big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 115-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
The Pistons (35-34) pulled into a virtual tie with Chicago (34-33) for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit is in the middle of a nine-game homestand, and the Pistons can take a small step toward their first postseason berth since 2009 simply by winning home games against struggling teams such as the Kings.
Morris made all six of his 3-point attempts in the first half, and Detroit led 67-54 after two quarters. Sacramento rallied to tie it early in the fourth, but the Pistons didn't let this game slip away.
DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento, which has lost 11 of 13.
The pace was frenetic from the start. Caldwell-Pope pulled up in transition and made a 3-pointer from near the top of the key to give the Pistons a 24-10 lead. It was 39-25 after one.
Detroit set season highs for points in the first quarter and first half, but the Kings rallied and tied the game early in the fourth. The Pistons didn't crack, and Caldwell-Pope eventually made back-to-back 3-pointers to put Detroit up 107-98.
Reggie Jackson had 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Detroit. Caldwell-Pope finished with 23 points.
Rudy Gay scored 19 points for the Kings.
TIP-INS
Kings: Rajon Rondo returned after missing a game with turf toe, a thumb sprain and a right shoulder bruise. He had 10 points and 13 assists. ... Sacramento was without C Willie Cauley-Stein, who was ill.
Pistons: Morris missed his only 3-point attempt of the second half. ... Detroit led by as many as 18 points in the first half.
UP NEXT
Kings: At New York on Sunday night.
Pistons: Host Brooklyn on Saturday night.
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