The Los Angeles Lakers nabbed their first win of March on Tuesday, snapping a five-game losing streak in the month by beating the Detroit Pistons 93-85 at Staples Center.

Magic Johnson Maillot,The Lakers earned the win by playing tough down the stretch, which they haven't done lately. It'll no doubt improve locker-room morale for a team that was an NBA-worst 4-21 since Jan. 11.

But, like any win from here through the end of the season, the victory wasn't so great for a 17-46 Lakers team with its eye on the draft lottery.

The Lakers still have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, and if they finish there, they would have an 82.8 percent of retaining their first-round pick heading into the lottery.

The Lakers are concerned with such matters because their 2015 first-round draft is top-five protected, meaning the Lakers will send the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if it lands outside the first five selections of the draft, stemming from the Steve Nash sign-and-trade deal back in 2012 with Phoenix.

The 76ers acquired the pick from the Suns at this season's trade deadline.

Player of the game: Pistons forward Greg Monroe (24 points, nine rebounds) and center Andre Drummond (14 points, 21 rebounds) were both dominant, so they'll tie this honor. It still wasn't enough though, in part because Pistons starting point guard Reggie Jackson had an awful night (two points on 1-of-9 shooting in 22 minutes).

Top Laker: This goes to their starting five, which all scored in double figures, led by 16 points from Jordan Hill. Rookie Jordan Clarkson dished out a career-high eight assists to go along with 10 points. The Lakers' bench wasn't too shabby either -- 13 points from Ed Davis and 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Jeremy Lin.

Stat of the night: Despite the strong nights by Drummond and Monroe, the Lakers still out-rebounded the Pistons 46-41. Five Lakers had at least five rebounds, led by 10 from Carlos Boozer off the bench.