Pistons vs. Clippers final score: Detroit blows 25-point lead, booed off the floor

The Los Angeles Clippers achieved their biggest comeback victory in franchise history, beating Detroit 111-101 after being down as many as 25. Not sure if it’s Detroit’s largest blown lead — frankly, I’m just too depressed to check.

The game turned quickly late in the third quarter when Clippers went on a — well, I don’t know if it should be called a run because those usually stop. This was just an extended pummeling that didn’t end until the buzzer sounded.

With 4:38 left in the third quarter the Clippers went on a 48-18 run that featured 26 points from Lou Williams (he finished with 39 on the night). Detroit’s leading scorer in that span was Reggie Jackson with five.

The Pistons were disrupted by an endless stream of whistles, reviewed calls and, eventually, foul trouble for their big men Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin.

Detroit was desperate for other players to step up but Detroit’s comedy of errors on the wing were not up to the challenge. Bruce Brown was 0-for-5. Langston Galloway was 0-for-5. Luke Kennard was 1-for-5. Ish Smith was 2-for-4. Pathetic.

It was a waste of a resurgent performance from Reggie Jackson, who is slowly looking like the Reggie of old — if you squint hard enough. Jackson looked confident, explosive and finished with 29 points and seven assists. Griffin finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds Reggie Bullock had an efficient 19. And Andre Drummond chipped in with 12 and 11 and looked especially engaged in the first half.

The Pistons came storming out of the gate, putting up 40 points in the first quarter and looked ready to walk away with an easy win. Then the whistles, the foul trouble, the sloppy turnovers and 36 total points in the second half.

Detroit had solid contributions from several of their big players, but no team can win when you have more players who are hurting you than helping you, and tonight Detroit had about four players who could contribute anything tonight.

Even when they were up 25 I wasn’t sure it was going to be a victory. When the lead started to slip in the third quarter I knew the team was doomed. You can just tell when this team loses what little fight it ever has. Tonight, they lost it as soon as Williams decided he gave a damn.

Tom Gores was in attendance. I hope he walked away realizing this is not a playoff team, and not a situation that a trade can fix. Detroit just needs to play out the string this year, start playing the young guys, keep Blake healthy and see how they can retool next season.

In conclusion, I’m sad.