By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Pistons 98, Bucks 83 – The Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night for their second straight win at home.
Detroit, which beat the Orlando Magic Friday night on its home opener, was paced by Andre Drummond with 20 points and 23 rebounds while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a team-high 21 points.
Tobias Harris chipped in with 16 points for the Pistons.
Detroit led 24-21 after the first quarter, 50-39 at halftime and 75-65 after three quarters of play.
The Bucks were led in a losing effort by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 17 points.
The Pistons, who are currently 2-1 on the season, will host the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
Record: 2-1
3rd Place in Central Division (1 game behind Cleveland)
Tied for 4th Place in Eastern Conference (1 game behind three teams)
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 79
Magic # to clinch a Central Division title: 81
Magic # to clinch a regular season Eastern Conference title: 81
Next Game: 11/01/2016 vs New York Knicks 7:30 p.m. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Stats: Andre Drummond 20 points 23 rebounds, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 21 points, Tobias Harris 16 points, Ish Smith 11 points 7 assists, Marcus Morris 11 points.
Texans 20, Lions 13 – The Houston Texans snapped the Lions three-game winning streak on Sunday afternoon.
Houston’s quarterback Brock Osweiler led the Texans with 186 passing yards and one touchdown while tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz caught five passes for 43 yards and a score.
The Lions lone touchdown came on a one-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to Theo Riddick in the fourth quarter.
Stafford threw for 240 yards on 27 completions and a passing touchdown, while tight end Eric Ebron caught seven passes for 79 yards and Riddick grabbed eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Lions’ kicker Matter Prater nailed two field goals and one extra point.
Detroit, which is now 4-4 on the season, will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday afternoon.
Record: 4-4
3rd Place in NFC North Division (2 games behind Minnesota)
1/2 Game behind Atlanta for final playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 10
Magic # to clinch an NFC North Division title: 12
Next Game: 11/06/2016 @ Minnesota Vikings 1:00 p.m. @
Stats: Passing-Matthew Stafford 27/41 240 YDs 1 TD. Receiving- Eric Ebron 7 Rec 79 YDs, Theo Riddick 8 Rec 77 YDs 1 TD. Defense- Tavon Wilson 6 tackles, Johnson Bademosi 1 Int Kicking-Matt Prater 2/3 FG (47, 34 YDs) 1/1 XP.
Panthers 5, Red Wings 2 – Colton Sceviour’s three goal and one assist performance paced the Florida Panthers over the Red Wings on Sunday evening.
The Red Wings dropped their record to 6-4 on the season after losing a second straight home game over the weekend.
Brendan Smith led Detroit in a losing effort with one goal and one assist, while Frans Nielsen chipped in with two assists. Dylan Larkin had a goal for the Red Wings and Riley Sheahan contributed with an assist.
Detroit’s starting goaltender Petr Mrazek was pulled from the game after allowing four goals on just 10 shots. Jimmy Howard stopped 13 of 14 shots in relief.
The Red Wings trailed 3-0 after the first period and 5-1 after two stanzas.
Detroit will look to get back to its winning ways on Wednesday night on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Record: 6-4-0 12 pts
2nd Place in Atlantic Division (5 points behind Montreal)
3rd Place in Eastern Conference (5 points behind Montreal)
3 points ahead of Philadelphia for final playoff spot
Magic # of pts to clinch a playoff berth: 144 pts
Magic # of pts to clinch a regular season Atlantic Division title: 152 pts
Magic # of pts to clinch a regular season Eastern Conference title: 152 pts
Next Game: 11/02/2016 @ Philadelphia Flyers 8:00 p.m. @ Wells Fargo Center
Stats: Goals- Dylan Larkin (3), Brendan Smith (1). Assists- Brendan Smith (1), Frans Nielsen 2 (4), Riley Sheahan (2). Goalie- Petr Mrazek L (4-3-0) 6 saves on 10 shots, Jimmy Howard 13 saves on 14 shots.
