John Collins, Detroit Pistons light up Washington Wizards at LCA

After a disappointing home loss against the Los Angeles Lakers , the Detroit Pistons weathered a big night from Anthony Davis to rebound a day later. The Pistons led by as many as 19 points in route to a win over the Washington Wizards , 122-109, on Monday, Nov. 9, improving to 7-3. John Collins had his best performance of the season with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block on 9-for-13 shooting. Collins led a strong first half for the Pistons, who scored a season-high 68 points and led by 10 at the break. They led by double digits for most of the game despite a dominant night from Davis, who scored 30 of his 44 points in the first half while shooting 10-for-11 against a small Pistons starting lineup featuring Collins at center. The Pistons were without Jalen Duren (right hamstring strain) for the eighth game in a row, and Isaiah Joe (right hip contusion) for the seventh consecutive game. TWO-WAY GAME: 5 blocks? From Kevin Huerter? Pistons wing shows skills on both ends It was a balanced offensive effort for the Pistons, who had four players score in double figures along with Collins: Daniss Jenkins (22 points, eight assists, four steals) and Duncan Robinson (22 points) also cracked the 20-point threshold. Cade Cunningham 17 points and seven assists, and Huerter added 12 points off of the bench. Daniss Jenkins starts, John Collins thrives offensively at center  It was a quiet night for Collins during the Pistons’ loss to the Lakers on Sunday, as he finished with eight points and four rebounds on 3-for-7 shooting. It was a career night for Jenkins, however, who set a new high with 31 points while knocking down eight 3-pointers.  That got him into the starting lineup Monday, moving Paul Reed to the bench. As the starting center, Collins immediately found an offensive rhythm and had one of his best performances this season. He scored 15 of his 24 points in the first half and was aggressive from the jump, scoring the Pistons’ first three baskets against the Wizards.  He opened the game with a corner 3-pointer before completing an alley-oop from Jenkins, and then taking Wizards big Alex Sarr off the dribble and finishing a finger roll. Collins also scored the first two baskets of the second quarter, with a hook and midrange jumper. He benefitted from the additional spacing and playmaking provided by Jenkins, and was a key part of a bounce-back performance by the Pistons.  Jenkins, meanwhile, played the entire third quarter and stepped up after Cunningham sat with his fifth foul midway through the period, with seven straight points late to help the Pistons fend off a Wizards run and extend the lead to 17, 99-82.  Ebuka Okorie gets opportunity in fourth The No. 17 pick in June’s draft hasn’t seen the floor much through the first 10 games. Entering Monday, he’d only played 15 minutes total through four games, most recently against the Charlotte Hornets on the road Nov. 2.  But with Cunningham on the bench in foul trouble, Okorie played the first half of the fourth quarter and made an impact.  He produced a highlight early in the fourth, finishing a tough up-and-under layup in transition while switching hands through contact. The score for a three-point play extended the lead to 108-91 with 9:25 to play. Okorie followed with a floater to finish with five points in six minutes on 2-for-3 shooting.  With Cunningham and Jenkins in front of him, it’s unclear when more minutes will come for Okorie. But the 19-year-old has impressed despite his limited opportunity.  Next up: Capitol gains? The Pistons won’t have to work too hard on the scout for their next opponent – they’re headed to Washington for a rematch with the Wizards on Thursday (8 p.m., TV20). It's the Pistons' second trip to D.C. in a month, though their October visit was a preseason game on Oct. 10, won by the Wizards, 114-108, in overtime. Contact Omari Sankofa II at  osankofa@freepress.com . Follow him on  X  and/or  Bluesky .