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Pacers 112, Pistons 104 (OT)
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Small forward Paul George poured in 30 points and the Indiana Pacers erased a 25-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 112-104 in overtime on Saturday night at The Palace.
Reserve guard Evan Turner supplied 20 points for Indiana (49-17), who won its third straight after a four-game losing streak. Backup center Andrew Bynum, playing in just his second game with the club, added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Pacers forward David West, who had 15 points, scored the first points of overtime on a jump shot and hit two more to make it 108-102. Indiana held on from there to go 4-0 in overtime games this season.
Forward Josh Smith topped Detroit (25-41), which has lost 12 of its last 15, with 23 points. Guard Rodney Stuckey contributed 19 points off the bench. Power forward Greg Monroe had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The loss ensured that Detroit will finish no better than .500. The Pistons have not had a winning season since 2007-08, when it had a 59-23 record and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the sixth straight year.
Pistons center Andre Drummond, the NBA’s third leading rebounder, suffered a neck injury with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter and did not return. Drummond took an inadvertent blow from Indiana center Roy Hibbert while battling for the ball.
Indiana scored the first eight points of the second half to cut its deficit to 11. The Pacers finally pulled ahead on Turner’s 3-pointer to make it 86-85 with 6:44 left in regulation.
Turner hit a 3-pointer to put Indiana on top 91-89, but Detroit responded with a 6-0 run that included a Smith 3-pointer and a Monroe hook shot.
Indiana guard Lance Stephenson made a 3-pointer with 1:43 remaining to tie it again at 96. Both teams scored on their next two possessions, keeping things knotted at 100. George then missed a 16-foot attempt in the final second, forcing overtime.
The Pistons shot 55.6 from the field in the first half and led by as much as 25 points before settling for a 60-41 halftime lead. Forward Jonas Jerebko’s putback dunk handed Detroit its biggest lead at 56-31.
NOTES: Pacers reserve PG C.J. Watson sat out because of a right hamstring strain. He missed three of the previous four games with a sprained right elbow. … Detroit has not won a season series against Indiana since 2007-08. … Indiana is 22-3 when it commits fewer turnovers than its opponent. … The Pacers are 25-1 when holding opponents below 90 points. … Indiana C Roy Hibbert has blocked at least one shot in 11 straight games … Pacers coach Frank Vogel said C Andrew Bynum, who played for the second time in three games, could be ready for back-to-backs as early as next week. Bynum has battled knee injuries in recent seasons. … Detroit plays 11 of its 16 remaining games on the road, beginning with a four-game West Coast trip that starts at Denver on Wednesday. … PG Peyton Siva (ankle), PG Chauncey Billups (knee) and C Josh Harrellson (knee) did not dress for Detroit.
