The Detroit Pistons (9-14) won the season series (3-1) against the Indiana Pacers (14-8) by defeating them 108-101 in tonight’s matchup. After a tough loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pistons were able to bounce back by defeating another playoff-contending team. The Pacers won two straight games heading into tonight’s game, but the Pistons were able to hold them off late to snap their two-game winning streak.
In the first quarter, the Pistons went on a 7-0 run to start the game. Indiana was able to recover and went on a 5-0 run of their own to cut into the Piston’s early lead. The Pistons regained control and were able to finish the first quarter with a 32-19 lead. The Pistons were led by Luke Kennard, who scored 11 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Pacers went on an 11-3 run to cut into the Pistons lead again, this time cutting the lead to just five. The Pacers were able to cut the lead to two, but the Pistons were able to once again regain control and took a 55-44 lead into the half. Pistons’ All-Star forward Blake Griffin led all scorers at the half with 16 points. This was Griffin’s first game against the Pacers. The other three games against the Pacers, Griffin was out nursing a knee and hamstring injury.
The Pacers went on a 12-4 run to start the third quarter and were once again able to cut into the Piston’s lead, this time cutting the lead to just three. Luke Kennard, who had a hot start to the game, picked up his fourth foul early in the third which led Head Coach Dwane Casey to switch him out before he could foul out of the game. Pacers’ forward T. J. Warren tied the game 66-66 with a jump shot and after a pair of free-throws from Warren, the Pacers were able to take their first lead of the game 68-66 with 4:45 left to play in the third quarter. The Pacers outscored the Pistons 31-16 in the third quarter to take a 75-71 lead over the Pistons to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Pistons were able to retake the lead 86-84 after a Christian Wood three-pointer. Late in the fourth quarter, Pistons’ guard Derrick Rose drove to the basket while taking two defenders with him, and passed the ball to a wide-open Blake Griffin at the top of the key. Griffin made the three-pointer and gave the Pistons a 104-101 lead with 41 seconds remaining in the game. Rose was able to increase the lead to five with 18 seconds left in the game. The Pacers were out of timeouts and could only watch the as the shot clock went to zero.
For Detroit, it was center Andre Drummond leading the charge. Andre Drummond scored 25 points while grabbing 22 rebounds to go along with three steals and two blocks in tonight’s victory. Andre Drummond now has 37 games in which he was able to score 20+ and pull down 20+ rebounds, and only trails Piston Legend Bob Lanier (39) for the franchise record. Blake Griffin was able to match Drummond’s 25 points in tonight’s game while adding five assists, two steals, and a block. Luke Kennard finished with 15 points and four assists.
T.J. Warren led the way for the Pacers. Warren finished tonight’s game with 26 points. Pacers’ guard Malcolm Brogdon finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Pistons’ forward Markieff Morris missed tonight’s game due to a neck injury. Pistons’ guard Reggie Jackson is still recovering from a back injury that has kept him sidelined since an October 24th matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Jackson is expected to be re-evaluated in about two weeks.
The Pistons will have a few days off before facing the New Orleans Pelicans on the road Monday night at 8 PM.
