Wizards finish overtime strong, beat Pistons 114–108

Will Riley’s free throws broke the final tie and Washington closed overtime on an 8–2 run Saturday, beating Detroit 114–108 at Capital One Arena after letting a 20-point first-quarter lead disappear.

Riley and Tre Johnson scored 15 points apiece to lead a Wizards bench that supplied 66 points as Washington improved to 2–0 in preseason. Detroit fell to 1–1. Johnson made four of six three-pointers, while Riley went 8-for-8 at the foul line.

Detroit forced overtime when Isaac Jones finished a reverse dunk with 11.7 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 98–98. Washington had led 40–20 after the first quarter, but the Pistons won the second 30–16 to cut the halftime deficit to 56–50 and stayed within reach through the second half.

Riley hit a three-pointer with 2:54 left in overtime to put Washington ahead 104–103. Justin Champagnie added a layup, but Chaz Lanier answered with a three to tie it again at 106–106 with 1:55 remaining.

The Wizards took control from there. Riley made both free throws at 1:23 for a lead Washington never surrendered. Champagnie grabbed the rebound of a missed Reece Beekman three and dunked with 56 seconds left, making it 110–106.

Ebuka Okorie’s layup brought Detroit within two before Chris Livingston answered with a cutting dunk at 23.2 seconds. Felix Okpara then stole the ball from Okorie with 10.1 seconds remaining and scored a reverse layup at 4.7 seconds to complete the finish.

AJ Dybantsa added 14 points and seven rebounds for Washington, and Kyshawn George scored 14. Anthony Davis had 10 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Alex Sarr scored eight points in 19 minutes, 32 seconds, while Trae Young finished with two points and eight assists.

Washington committed 29 turnovers to Detroit’s 23, but free throws helped the Wizards withstand Detroit’s much larger shot volume. The Wizards went 33-for-71 from the field and 38-for-51 at the line; the Pistons shot 39-for-106 and made 18 of 25 free throws. Okorie led Detroit with 14 points and added six assists.