LaVine and DeRozan explode for 80 points in Kings' 127-117 victory over Pistons

8 Apr, 2025

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Kings Rally Past Pistons Behind LaVine’s 43-Point Explosion

DETROIT — Zach LaVine poured in 43 points, including 17 in a dominant fourth quarter, as the Sacramento Kings stormed back to defeat the Detroit Pistons 127-117 on Monday night. DeMar DeRozan added 37 points to help bolster Sacramento’s push for a first-round home game in the play-in tournament.

Domantas Sabonis recorded his 28th triple-double of the season with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Kings, who have now won three straight and hold a one-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks for ninth in the Western Conference.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 35 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 19. Detroit has now dropped four of its last five games.

The Pistons looked in control early, using a 29-10 run in the second quarter to build a 66-48 lead. But DeRozan scored eight of Sacramento’s next 14 points to trim the deficit to 72-62 by halftime.

Sacramento took its first lead of the second half on LaVine’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter, putting the Kings up 97-94.

From there, the Kings never trailed again. The Pistons pulled within 106-105 on a Cunningham three-point play with 9:16 remaining, but Sacramento responded with a decisive run to pull away.

Takeaways

Kings:

Malik Monk exited late in the first quarter with a left calf injury. Sacramento was already shorthanded without Keegan Murray (back) and Jake LaRavia (thumb).

Pistons:

Detroit struggled defensively, allowing Sacramento to shoot 51.6% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc.

Key Moment

LaVine buried three consecutive 3-pointers in the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter, turning a one-point deficit into a 106-104 Kings lead. He finished 5-for-6 from deep in the final period.

Key Stat

Detroit needed four 3-pointers to set a new single-season franchise record for makes from beyond the arc — and they got it. The Pistons went 13-for-39 from distance, breaking the previous record of 993 set in 2018-19.

What’s Next

Kings: Host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday to open a three-game homestand.
Pistons: Return home to face the New York Knicks on Thursday.

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