Wall had a double-double with 28 points and 10 assists and Seraphin had 15 points and nine rebounds but the Wizards (12-43) lost their fourth game in a row and lost the season series to the Pistons, two games to one.
Wall had been in the midst of the worst slump of his career, as he entered Thursday averaging just 12.4 points and shooting 32.8 percent from the floor in his previous 10 games. Coach Randy Wittman encouraged Wall to simplify things and not put too much pressure on himself to force his way out of the funk.
The conversation appeared to have an influence on Wall, who played with an aggressiveness that hasn't been seen in a few weeks. He attacked the basket and looked to score more than he had in previous games. His shot was still a little shaky, but he compensated by getting to the foul line. And though he took more shots, he also was a willing passer.
Wall tried to single-handedly rally the Wizards in the third period. The Pistons led, 64-51, after Jason Maxiell made a baseline jumper, but Wall scored 10 points during a 13-6 run that brought his team within six.
Detroit responded by scoring the next six points and took a 76-64 lead into the final period. Wall drove and found Brian Cook inside for a dunk, but the Pistons scored 10 straight points while the Wizards took one field goal attempt and had three turnovers. After Vesely declined to take an open jumper and had his pass stolen by Pistons reserve Jonas Jerbko, Wittman shouted, "Shoot the ball!"
Roger Mason Jr. and Cartier Martin combined to make four three-pointers in the final period to help the Wizards get back into the game.
Trailing 93-86 with 2 minutes 18 seconds remaining, the Wizards decided to intentionally foul Pistons big man Ben Wallace, who entered the game converting just 29 percent of his free throws. Wallace made his first two throws, then pointed in the direction of Wizards' bench, leading Wittman and assistant coach Sam Cassell to chuckle. The Wizards fouled Wallace again and he made both free throws to the delight of the home crowd and the amusement of the players on the Wizards' bench. After missing his first four free throw attempts of the game, Wallace made 5 of 6 in the fourth quarter.
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