The Detroit Pistons start slow and despite trimming a 20 point deficit to just 4 during the fourth quarter, leave it too late against the Indiana Pacers lead by Paul George’s efficient 30 Point performance.
The Pistons started the game like it was them and not the Pacers on the second game of a back to back, and allowed Indiana to 34 first quarter points on 75% shooting from the field. There was a drastic discrepancy in the two team’s free throw shooting through the game with the Pacers shooting 24-29 (82.8%) and the Pistons a dismal 16-31 (51.6%).
It looked like the Pistons had worked their way back into the contest after the slow start in which would have been the biggest comeback of the teams season after coming back from 18 twice and 16 once for victories earlier in the year. Just as they brought the game back to within striking distance, Andre Drummond went 2-8 from the line in the final three minutes to enable the Pacers to push their lead back towards double digits and secure the win.