Ariza's last second three and the Wizards huge comeback both came up just short as the Wizards fell to the Pistons, 96-95. The Pistons completed their four game sweep of the Wizards this year.
For the Wizards, the game basically came down to a disastrous third quarter. The Wizards outscored the Pistons by 17 over the rest of the game but lost the third quarter by 18 and subsequently the game by one. The Wizards led by four at the half before the Pistons used a 14-0 run in the middle of the frame to win the third quarter 31-13. The fourth quarter was an entirely different game from the third though. Washingon opened the quarter on an 11-0 run of their own to quickly cut the lead to three. The Pistons though would push the lead back to nine with just a minute to go before the Wizards valiant end game comeback began. Ariza hit two straight threes to cut the lead to three with 34 seconds to go. On the ensuing Pistons possession, Ariza stole the ball from Calderon, his first turnover of the night, and Bynum was called for a clear path foul which gave Ariza two shots and the Wizards the ball. Ariza hit both free throws but came up just short on a corner three on the final possession to seal the Wizards fate.
Both teams shot the ball well on the night with the Pistons shooting 54% from the field and 60% from three and the Wizards at 47.6% from the field and 42% from three. The Pistons used 35 assists on their 39 buckets and also 27 fast break points compared with the Wizards 15 points to get the win. The Wizards bench outscored the Pistons bench, 49-19, in the loss.
Trevor Ariza came off the bench to lead the Wizards in scoring with 22 points. Bradley Beal went for 16, Emeka Okafor had 15, and Kevin Seraphin had 12. All four Wizards in double figures shot 50% from the field or better.
The Pistons were led by a Brandon Knight's career high 32 points on 11/18 shooting from the field and 5/6 from three. Jose Calderon came up one shy of his career high in assists with 18 against just one turnover and Greg Monroe had a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wizards are back in action Friday night at home against the Knicks.
