By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Lions 28, Saints 13 – The Lions moved one step closer to their first division title in 24 years with a road win over the New Orleans Saints.
Detroit, which has now won four in a row and seven of its last eight games, is now 8-4 on the season.
Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 341 yards on 30-for-42 passing with two touchdowns while kicker Matt Prater nailed five field goals for the Lions. Golden Tate caught eight passes for 145 yards, which included a fourth quarter 66-yard touchdown catch.
Detroit’s Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson and Miles Killebrew each had an interception for
the Lions defense.
The Saints were led by quarterback Drew Brees, who threw for 326 yards but tossed three interceptions.
The Lions will return home to face the Chicago Bears next Sunday looking to move another step closer to a division title.
Record: 8-4
1st Place in NFC North Division (2 games ahead of Green Bay and Minnesota)
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 3
Magic # to clinch an NFC North Division title: 3
Next Game: 12/11/2016 vs Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. @ Ford Field
Stats: Passing-Matthew Stafford 30/42 341 YDs 2 TDs. Receiving- Golden Tate 8 Rec 145 YDs 1 TD, Theo Riddick 1 YD TD Rec. Defense- Nevin Lawson 6 Tackles; Glover Quin, Miles Killebrew, Tavon Wilson 1 Int each. Kicking-Matt Prater 5/5 FG (27, 29, 32, 27, 52 YDs) 1/1 XP.
Red Wings 4, Islanders 3 (OT) – Danny DeKeyser’s game-winning overtime goal 1:02 into the extra session propelled the Red Wings over the New York Islanders on Sunday evening.
The Red Wings were led by Mike Green with two goals, while Henrik Zetterberg added a goal and an assist and Tomas Tatar chipped in with two assists.
Detroit’s goaltender Petr Mrazek picked up the win in goal, stopping 32 of 35 shots.
The Islanders produced goals from Anders Lee, Johnny Boychuk and Josh Bailey in a losing effort.
The Red Wings are now 12-11-3 on the season, good for 27 points and fifth place in the Atlantic Division. They are two points behind the Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot.
Detroit will finish its three-game road trip on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Record: 12-11-3 27 pts
5th Place in Atlantic Division (9 points behind first place Montreal)
11th Place in Eastern Conference (9 points behind Montreal)
2 points behind Washington for the last playoff spot
Magic # of pts to clinch a playoff berth: 115 pts
Magic # of pts to clinch a regular season Atlantic Division title: 124 pts
Magic # of pts to clinch a regular season Eastern Conference title: 124 pts
Next Game: 12/06/2016 @ Winnipeg Jets 8:00 p.m. @ MTS Centre
Stats: Goals- Mike Green 2 (6), Henrik Zetterberg (6), Danny DeKeyser (2). Assists- Frans Nielsen (9), Thomas Vanek (8), Jonathan Ericsson (5), Tomas Tatar 2 (7), Zetterberg (13). Goalie- Petr Mrazek W (7-5-3) 32 saves on 35 shots.
Magic 98, Pistons 92 – The Orlando Magic spoiled Reggie Jackson’s return with a road victory over the Pistons on Sunday evening.
Jackson, who missed the first 21 games due to a knee injury, scored 18 points for the Pistons, while Marcus Morris led the way with 21 points.
Detroit led 27-23 after the first quarter, trailed 58-50 at halftime and had a 78-73 disadvantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Magic were paced by Serge Ibaka with 21 points while Nikola Vucevic added 16.
The Pistons are now 11-11 on the season, good for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit will host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
Record: 11-11
4th Place in Central Division (4 games behind first place Cleveland)
8th Place in Eastern Conference (4 games behind first place Cleveland)
½ game ahead of Atlanta for the final playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 61
Magic # to clinch a Central Division title: 67
Magic # to clinch a regular season Eastern Conference title: 67
Next Game: 12/06/2016 vs Chicago Bulls 7:30 p.m. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Stats: Marcus Morris 21 points, Reggie Jackson 18 points, Tobias Harris 11 points, Ish Smith 11 points, Andre Drummond 10 points 10 rebounds 3 steals, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 9 rebounds.
