DETROIT (AP) — Buddy Hield made an off-balance, fadeaway 3-pointer just before time expired and scored 35 points in the Sacramento Kings’ 103-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.
Detroit outscored the Kings in each of the first three quarters and had a 12-point cushion midway through the fourth.
That wasn’t enough.
Hield made a 3-pointer with 1:11 left to put Sacramento ahead for the first time since midway through the first quarter.
Blake Griffin, who scored 38 points, scored on the ensuing possession to put the Pistons ahead 101-100. Griffin had a chance to add to the lead on Detroit’s next possession, but he passed to Reggie Jackson, who missed a shot to give the Kings another chance.
Hield fumbled an inbounds pass with 3.4 seconds left, scrambled to regain possession and put up a shot from the left wing that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. He sprinted around the court, leaping over a camera cord and led a joyous parade to the locker room.
Griffin scored 14 points in the first quarter to help the Pistons establish control they had until Hield led a charge over the last several minutes of the game.
De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley scored 14 point apiece and Willie Cauley-Stein added 12 points for the Kings.
Luke Kennard scored 19 points for the Pistons. They were without center Andre Drummond due to him being in concussion protocol.
Detroit held Hield scoreless in the third after he had 20 points in the first half, helping the Pistons go into the fourth quarter ahead 82-74.
TIP-INS
Kings: With one of the NBA’s fastest teams, Sacramento often pushes the ball and scores after opponents make baskets and free throws.
Pistons: G Ish Smith missed the game along with Drummond with a groin injury. Smith aggravated the injury Friday night in his third game back after missing 19 games.
UP NEXT
Kings: At Brooklyn on Monday.
Pistons: At Washington on Monday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
