Prince’s Clutch Trey Boosts Pistons Past Lakers 90-89

Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince pumps his fists after making a three-point basket with 4.4 seconds remaining to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 90-89 on Thursday night.

On most nights, 39 points from Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant would be sufficient for a victory; but 22 turnovers committed by Los Angeles and a 3-pointer by Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince with 4.4 seconds left in the game enabled the Pistons to leave the Palace of Auburn Hills with a well-earned, 90-89 win over the Lakers.

Los Angeles had a rough first quarter, matching their season high with 9 turnovers - Bryant with 3 - as they fell behind 29-22. Detroit built a big lead in the second quarter only to see it shrink to what would be a Pistons’ 7-point edge at halftime. But the Lakers’ Bryant scored 10 straight points to put Los Angeles ahead 62-58 with 4:18 left in the third period; the Lakers led 72-67 going into the fourth quarter, and it was see-saw for the vast majority of the period until the Pistons’ Prince sank the game-winning 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left in the game.

Detroit’s high scorer was Prince with 22 points, while Chauncey Billups added 16 with 3 rebounds, 7 assists and a pair of steals; Richard Hamilton chipped in with a quiet 14. Los Angeles was led by the aforementioned Bryant with an unusual triple-double, scoring 39 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and turning the ball over 11 times. Derek Fisher added 15 in a losing effort. Detroit (33-13) continues their homestand by hosting the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon, while Los Angeles (28-16) flies to Canada to face the Toronto Raptors Friday night.