Detroit — The Pistons have been plagued by slow starts, with poor defense leading to double-digit deficits in the first quarter. It makes it hard to climb out of holes when the reserves have huge margins to overcome and play from behind.
The Pistons turned the tables on Friday night.
Instead of a deficit, the starting lineup left with a 15-point lead near the end of the first quarter.
That wasn’t enough, either.
That lead evaporated by halftime and the Washington Wizards conjured a 45-point third period, helping them surge to a 122-112 victory over the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.