Curry Coaching Debut Successful, Pistons Beat Pacers 100-94

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap, NBA Regular Season Opener

The 2008 version of the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday sure seemed like the well-oiled machine from seasons past as balanced scoring was the key while the Pistons made new coach Michael Curry’s debut a successful one as they beat the Indiana Pacers 100-94 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Prior to this season, it seemed like the Pistons would shake up the core of their team; however, they kept the core of their roster and replaced Flip Saunders with Curry; if Wednesday’s effort was any indication, then curry should be fairly successful as the Pistons coach.

The Pacers were without Mike Dunleavy who is out with tendinitis in his knee and may be available in a couple weeks; the first half was all Detroit as they enjoyed a 50-40 advantage at halftime. The Pistons went on a 20-6 run which spanned the end of the third quarter and beginning of the 4th period to build an 80-64 lead; they nearly let the lead slip away as they nearly did what doomed them last season as they relaxed a bit. The Pacers would respond with a 13-2 run to pull to within 5 halfway through the fourthquarter, but Pistons guard Chauncey Billups‘ 3-pointer with about 3 minutes left in the game pretty much sealed the win for Detroit.

Tayshaun Prince led a well-balanced Pistons attack with 19 points with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot while Richard Hamilton added 15 along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal but 5 turnovers. Indiana was led by Danny Granger with a game-high 33 points (including 2 treys) with 5 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots while Troy Murphy recorded a double-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 3 blocked shots. Detroit (1-0) will play again on Saturday when they host the Washington Wizards while Indiana (0-1) return home for their home opener as they host the Boston Celtics – also on Saturday.

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