The Detroit Pistons were defeated on Friday in Salt Lake City, while the Phoenix Suns won the first of two games in 24 hours against the New Orleans Pelicans.Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, with 31 and 30 points, led the surprising victory of the Utah Jazz (11-19) by 131-129 against the Detroit Pistons (24-7), leaders of the Eastern Conference.
The Jazz were tough on defense and led Detroit by 15 points in the third quarter.
Little by little, the Pistons whittled away at that lead until they tied the game at 129 with 18 seconds left with two free throws from Cade Cunningham. Keyonte George took the lead and played a floater with two seconds left for the Jazz’s victory.Cunningham had the last chance, but his forced three-pointer didn’t even touch the basket. Even so, the Pistons star finished the game with 29 points and 17 assists.
After a great start to the season, the Detroit Pistons are starting to feel the heat from the New York Knicks (21-9).
One of two for Phoenix
The Suns (17-14) won the first of two duels in 24 hours against the Pelicans (8-24) in New Orleans, 108-115.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Mark Williams had a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
The Suns were down by three points (100-97) with five minutes to go, but closed the game with an 8-18 run to claim victory.
The Pelicans squandered the game from the free throw line, with a poor 25 of 42 (59.5%). Zion Williamson finished with 20 points, and Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy contributed 19 each.
In other games, the Charlotte Hornets won 105-120 in Orlando against the Magic and the Washington Wizards defeated the Toronto Raptors 138-117 in their best win of the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-104, with 12 points and seven rebounds from Santi Aldama, and the Miami Heat won in Atlanta 111-126 against the Hawks.
Finally, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 109-102 and the Portland Trail Blazers fell 103-119 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
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