Indiana Pacers (4-0) 99 Detroit Pistons (2-2) 91
One undefeated team left in the NBA, and guess who it is? The boys in the Blue and Gold, who sure got a test tonight, but if there was ever a game of runs, tonight’s game was that. The Detroit Pistons run out to the 8-2 lead, which is followed by a Pacers run of 9 points. That first quarter saw 12 points for Paul George, who is looking better and better each game out. The Pacers run out in that first quarter and end up leading by 15 with a score of 29-14. But that second quarter was a whole other story.
The Pacers were way out of sync as they were only able to score 9 points in that quarter. Just a bad quarter, especially when you start so strong. Those type of quarters can’t happen if you want to prove you’re that elite level team. The Pacers fall behind due to the lack of offense in that quarter. You look at that quarter, and you see the Detroit Pistons end up with the 41-38 lead. Once again, things turned back around in the Pacers’ favor in the third quarter as they’ve been such a strong second half time in all four games this season.
A strong quarter that included an outburst of 36 points in that quarter with Paul George leading the way again with his 14 points in that quarter. No points or any shot attempts in the second quarter for George, but he made sure to come out strong in that third quarter and get those points when the Pacers needed them.
The final quarter saw the Pacers build up quite a big lead, but somehow let it slowly evaporate just enough to make things a little shaky at the end. It’s not the best finish the Pacers will have, but to close out and get the win 99-91 has to feel good. Still undefeated with the big game tomorrow night against the Chicago Bulls. Paul George leads the way for the Pacers with his 31 points and 10 rebounds. Throw in 4 steals and 4 assists to go along with all those points he’s able to score, and you just can see how complete of a player George is becoming. Speaking of stat lines, Roy Hibbert had a good one. It might not have been lighting the night on fire, but look at this 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year if you’re so concerned about blocks this season, right? And just think Hibbert is fine with not scoring a bunch, but playing that tough defense that will get the Pacers that extra bit of help they need. Guys won’t be so quick to come in the lane if they see Hibbert standing tall ready to take away the show.
The Pacers now head back home for the Chicago Bulls, a game featured on ESPN. A Bulls team that’s sitting at 1-2, but took care of the Pacers in both meetings in the preseason, so the Pacers will have to be ready to go on this back to back effort.