The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 121-116, at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday evening.

The Lakers (9-9) entered Sunday's game looking to put an ugly 22-point loss to the Celtics on Friday night behind them, a defeat that was their third straight. Los Angeles emerged from the first quarter with a slim four-point edge, but the Pistons (4-12) surged back in the second quarter to wipe out their deficit and enter halftime with a seven-point lead. Detroit continued its strong play on either side of the floor during a third period in which another eight points were added to its advantage, but there was a significant development with 9:18 remaining in the quarter when a post-free-throw tussle between Isaiah Stewart and LeBron James became especially heated and ultimately resulted in the Pistons' big man ending up bloodied and both he and James ejected. The entire incident may have also had a delayed effect on the visitors, which outscored their hosts by a 37-17 margin in the fourth quarter for the narrow comeback win.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, five blocks and four steals. Russell Westbrook followed with 26 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. Carmelo Anthony furnished 18 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Dwight Howard supplied 13 points and five rebounds. James finished with 10 points, five assists and one rebound in 21 minutes.

Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 36 points, complementing them with four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Hamidou Diallo managed 17 points, six boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Frank Jackson netted 15 points, while Saddiq Bey turned in 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Cade Cunningham generated a 13-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double with two steals.

The Lakers remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, while the Pistons host the Miami Heat on Tuesday night as well.