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The Detroit Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers, 114-97, in a game that was definitely closer than the final score would have you believe. Tobias Harris led all scorers with 23 points, Reggie Jackson scored 18 points, and Andre Drummond had 14 points and 21 rebounds (but was oh-for-seven from the free-throw line, an unwelcome reversion to last year’s results for him).
The Pacers, despite playing on the second half of a back-to-back, came out strong to start the game. Andre Drummond picked up two relatively quick fouls and sat down, then Avery Bradley also picked up two fouls and had to be benched, and then the Pistons found themselves facing their “usual” eight-point deficit to end the first quarter. Then, the bench brought the game back for Detroit, helping the Pistons outscore the Pacers 37-22 in the second quarter. Langston Galloway, Ish Smith, and Anthony Tolliver led the charge, with a Boban Marjanovic sighting also giving the Pistons that extra push.
The third quarter was a grind for both teams, but the Pistons were helped out immensely by getting the Pacers into the penalty early in the quarter, offering easy points at the line and causing the likes of Victor Oladipo (21 points, but 21 shots) and Myles Turner (eight points, six rebounds, four fouls in 26 minutes) to let up a bit on the defensive end.
In an interesting twist, an Andre + bench lineup ran out on an 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter (Andre dunk, Reggie Bullock three, Tolliver three), which put them up 15 points not a minute into the fourth and put Indiana on the defensive. Indiana battled the Andre + bench unit back, and cut the lead to seven, but then Reggie and Tobias entered the game to close it. Tobias hit a big three, Reggie made an off-the-dribble three, then engineered a switch and isolated Tobias on Victor Oladipo - and Tobias promptly got the and-1 to seal the deal.
Pacers hanging Pacers hanging Pacers hanging TOBIAS HARRIS SAYS WE ARE DONE WHEN I SAY WE’RE DONE
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 9, 2017
Oh yeah, then Reggie and Andre casually teamed up to send Myles Turner home rudely.
Reggie Jackson through legs assist to Drummond who says bye to Myles Turner. Oof. pic.twitter.com/NPJpJrtoXF
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) November 9, 2017
...Andre knows Myles is coming off a concussion, right? That can’t help.
The Pistons are now 8-3 on the year, undefeated on their five-game homestand, and will play the Atlanta Hawks Friday.