The Detroit Pistons have defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-102 in one of the most thrilling games of the season, pushing Detroit within just one game of the eighth seed in the team’s second straight victory.

It was a balanced effort in Motown tonight, as newly-acquired star forward Blake Griffin led the team with 24 points, ten rebounds and five assists in a very promising first game with the franchise. Stanley Johnson and Andre Drummond came out of the gates slow but eventually were able to make respectable efforts in the win, with Johnson putting up 14 points and three rebounds and assists each, while Drummond finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and three steals. Every Pistons starter ended the game with double-digit points, while spark plugs Dwight Buycks and Anthony Tolliver contributed heavily in the outcome, including a late Tolliver three and free throws to give Detroit the lead for good.

In the losing effort, Marc Gasol made his presence known with 19 points and 15 rebounds against Detroit’s star frontcourt, while Andrew Harrison had a nice night with 18 points and 8 assists. Rookie Dillon Brooks, Deyonta Davis, and Myke Henry proved to be a pain for the new-look Pistons, combining for 35 points, including key baskets that kept Memphis in the game down the stretch.

Detroit looks to win their third straight on Saturday, facing a fellow playoff contender in the Miami Heat. The struggling Grizzlies take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday but are setting their sights towards June’s draft at this point in the season.

Featured Image – (Leon Halip/Getty Images)