Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction

The Detroit Pistons (3-15) hosted the Los Angeles Lakers (5-13) Tuesday night, and despite playing them close through two quarters, ultimately fell to Western Conference squad 106-96.

It took all of three minutes for the interconference showdown's dynamic to change, with the Pistons having kept within arm's reach through much of the game. However, midway through the third quarter, Kobe Bryant—who had previously been help scoreless—exploded for 12 straight points. Los Angeles never looked back.

Despite a small comeback in the closing minutes—the deficit hovered between seven and 11—Detroit was unable to pull out a victory, having now lost nine straight. Though the Pistons' starters never returned—perhaps Stan Van Gundy had already given up or was simply content riding the second unit's collective hot hand—the Lakers deployed their main five, who were led by Jordan Hill in the closing minutes. He finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds and was in sync with Bryant (13 assists) throughout the night.

Nick Young added 19 off the bench and Jeremy Lin, Wesley Johnson and Carlos Boozer combined for 38. Every Lakers starter scored in double figures.

Detroit's scoring attack was led by Josh Smith, who finished with 18. However, 15 came in the first half. His second-half performance was, like the rest of his team's late-game effort, simply awful. Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe combined for 16 and 23, but the latter player seemed out of place and a shadow of the version to which fans had become accustomed.

The Lakers, undefeated against Eastern Conference opponents and the winners of two straight, will look to capitalize on their momentum tomorrow when they visit the Washington Wizards. Detroit will attempt to bounce back tomorrow in Boston.