The Detroit Pistons (4-6) lost tonight’s game on the road against the Indiana Pacers (5-4) 112-106. The Pistons started off hot, taking a 15 point lead towards the beginning of the game, but ran out of gas and the Pacers took advantage.
Andre Drummond found himself in early foul trouble, picking up his third foul in the second quarter. The Pistons enjoyed an eight-point lead before Drummond sat down, and the Pacers scored 14 straight points afterward to take a six-point lead in the second quarter. Luke Kennard started the game off going six for seven from the floor for 14 points in the first quarter but did not score in the second quarter. The Pistons made things interesting in the fourth quarter and went on a run of their own, but it wasn’t enough to defeat a team that wanted revenge after losing to the Pistons two straight times to start the season.
Foul trouble aside, Drummond was close to a triple-double tonight, scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds to go along with eight assists. If it wasn’t for foul trouble, Drummond may have had his first-ever triple-double. Luke Kennard had a solid outing besides his play in the second quarter, scoring 29 points with six rebounds and five assists. Luke Kennard went four of seven from the three-point line in tonight’s defeat.
For the Pacers, it was back up point guard T.J. McConnell leading the charge. McConnell finished tonight’s game with 17 points to go along with nine assists on 80 percent shooting from the floor. Domantas Sabonis had a big game, scoring 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. T.J. Warren also scored 17 points for the Pacers.
Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose both sat out tonight’s loss due to injuries. Blake Griffin has been cleared for basketball-related activities, so Griffin should be able to return to the court soon. Rose continues to be listed as day-to-day with a hamstring injury.
The Pistons hope both Griffin and Rose can make a full recovery for their next game at home against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at 7 pm.
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