Pistons repel Lakers but still far from last East playoff berth

DETROIT  — Reggie Jackson scored 20 points, Reggie Bullock had 16 and the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-106, on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time).

Detroit (34-40) won for the fourth time in five games, but trails idle Miami by five games for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

With Blake Griffin reduced to 24 minutes due to foul trouble, reserve Anthony Tolliver added 15 points as the Pistons put six players in double figures.

Julius Randle had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles, and Lonzo Ball finished with 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Kyle Kuzma had 20 points and 11 boards.

The Pistons led early, but the Lakers rallied behind Kuzma, a Flint native who was supported by a large contingent from his hometown about an hour north of Detroit.

Randle and Griffin each picked up three first-half fouls, so they were on the bench when Ish Smith hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to pull the Pistons to 55-53 at the break.

Griffin picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter and headed back to the sideline. But the Lakers weren't able to take advantage of his absence.

Tolliver replaced Griffin and scored eight points in the period as Detroit built an 81-76 lead.

Tolliver started the fourth with a 3-pointer to put the Pistons up by eight. Griffin was whistled for a fifth foul, but he returned to hit a 3-pointer that made it 102-93 with 3:32 left.