Indiana Pacers shoot a season-high 58% from the field to outscore the Detroit Pistons.
The Good: The Indiana Pacers won their third-straight game and the offense was a joy to behold. The ball movement, the extra passes, the aggressiveness. It was all working as the Pacers shot season-high percentages from the field and three-point range. Five players, including two off the bench, scored in double figures.
The Bad: The defense. The Pacers were a top-10 ranked team in defensive efficiency since their last visit to Detroit in mid-December. None of that was on display tonight as the Pistons shot 53% through three quarters, getting almost everything they wanted. It picked up for the first 9 1/2 minutes of the fourth, allowing only 12 points, but the late game collapse turned a 13-point lead into three in less than two minutes.
MVP: Paul George was lights out — again — in the fourth quarter to seal the win, scoring 12 points and having fun while doing it.
LVP: The Palace. It was the Pacers’ last regular season game there… and good riddance. I’ve been there on a few occasions. It’s a dump. Detroit deserves better than traveling 40 minutes outside the city to see their team.
Not to mention the worst night in Pacers history occurred there.
X-Factor: Bench scoring. The Pacers’ bench outscored the Pistons 39-32, including big contributions from Monta Ellis and must-follow social media marvel Kevin Seraphin.