Pacers dump Pistons for fourth straight win

[December 29, 2018]  Domantas Sabonis led a balanced effort with 19 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, and the Indiana Pacers won their fourth straight by overwhelming the Detroit Pistons 125-88 on Friday in Indianapolis.

Darren Collison also scored 19 points while making all seven of his field-goal attempts, and he had seven assists. Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young contributed 17 points apiece, and Doug McDermott and Bojan Bogdanovic tossed in 12 each.

Tyreke Evans chipped in 10 points on a night when Indiana's usual leading scorer, Victor Oladipo, was held to seven points on 2-of-9 shooting. The Pacers scored 30 points off Detroit's 22 turnovers.

Blake Griffin had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Pistons but also committed seven turnovers. Luke Kennard had 14 points off the bench, Reggie Bullock added 13, and Andre Drummond chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Sabonis had 11 points and eight rebounds by halftime as the Pacers jumped to a 58-45 lead.

The Pacers created separation when they finished the first quarter on a 14-6 run to gain a 32-21 advantage. Sabonis and Bogdanovic each scored four points during that span.

A string of six consecutive Indiana points made it 46-30 midway through the second quarter. Sabonis had an uncontested dunk in the middle of it, forcing Pistons coach Dwane Casey to call timeout.

Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) high fives a fan in a game against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons were down by double digits the remainder of the game. Kennard's three-point play with 1:01 left in the half pulled the visitors within 11. Collison's jumper 15 seconds later provided the last points of the half.

A 9-0 spurt early in the second half stretched Indiana's lead to 20. Collison had an assist, a dunk and a 3-pointer during that span.

Indiana nudged its lead to 86-63 on a Turner jumper and Sabonis free throw. The Pacers led 91-69 entering the fourth quarter. The Pacers' advantage continued to expand throughout the final period.

The Central Division rivals were playing the first of four games this season.

--Field Level Media

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