Five takeaways from the Lakers' victory over Detroit

Five takeaways from the Lakers’ victory over Detroit

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts after hitting a three-pointer during the second half of a 106-96 win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Jeremy Lin drives to the basket during the first half of a 106-96 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Carlos Boozer drives to the basket during the first half of a 106-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Detroit Pistons Coach Stan Van Gundy gestures during the first half of the Lakers’ 106-96 win Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Ed Davis, left, battles Detroit Pistons forward Caron Butler for a loose ball during the second half of the Lakers’ 106-96 win Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant looks to pass during a 106-96 road victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Jordan Hill looks to pass during the second half of a 106-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, passes as Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith confronts him during the second half of the Lakers’ 106-96 win Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Nick Young, front, drives past Detroit Pistons forward Luigi Datome during the second half of the Lakers’ 106-96 win Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Wayne Ellington dribbles the ball during the second half of a 106-96 win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Detroit Pistons Coach Stan Van Gundy instructs his players during a first-half timeout against the Lakers on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant drives to the basket during the first half of a 106-96 road victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers Coach Byron Scott watches from the sideline during the first half of a 106-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

(Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant passes during the second half of a 106-96 win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Ronnie Price, right, tries to drive past Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko during the second half of the Lakers’ 106-96 win Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, front, drives past Detroit Pistons forward Caron Butler during the second half of the Lakers’ 106-96 victory Tuesday. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

By Mike Bresnahan

Dec. 3, 2014 7:30 AM PT

Reporting from Auburn Hills, Mich. —

The Lakers love the Eastern Conference. And the Detroit Pistons. Here are five takeaways from their 106-96 victory Tuesday over Detroit.

1. The Lakers play only 26 more games against the East. Too bad for them. They’re now 4-0 against the East, with previous victories against Toronto, Charlotte and Atlanta.

2. It’s rough to envision where the Lakers would be without Jordan Hill. Worse than 5-13, for sure. He had 22 points on 10-for-15 shooting and added 13 rebounds for his 10th double-double this season.

3. If the Lakers are playing Detroit, they’re probably going to win. (Notable exceptions: 2004 NBA Finals, 1989 NBA Finals.) The Lakers have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Pistons.

4. The Lakers made some three-pointers! The Lakers made some three-pointers! They actually made 10 of 17 from behind the arc (58.8%), definitely improving their numbers for three-pointers made per game (5.5) and three-point accuracy (31.4%).

5. Wesley Johnson continued one of the best runs of his two-year Lakers career, scoring 13 points on five-for-six shooting. He also had a memorable dunk over Josh Smith late in the second quarter. His point totals the last three games: 13, 13 and 19.

Five takeaways from the Lakers’ victory over Detroit

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