Apr

11

Pacers Play Spoiler, Edge Pistons 106-102

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger

Now that the Indiana Pacers are officially out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, they now can turn their attention to a role that have been rather proficient at the past three seasons: the role of spoiler.  In their game Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, they obviously had little to lose as they hoped to keep the Pistons from gaining a better seeding in the conference playoffs.  A late rally, capped by free throws by Danny Granger with 5 seconds left in the game, helped Indiana edge Detroit 106-102 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Indiana’s largest lead in the first half was 35-27 early in the second quarter when a 3-point play by T.J. Ford capped a 10-0 Pacers run; they would take a narrow 52-49 lead into their locker room at halftime.  The Pacers regained a 99-95 lead on a 3-point play by Jarrett Jack, but Rip Hamilton drained a 3-pointer for Detroit, pulling them to within two points with 2:09 left to go in the game; two more lead changes would take place before Jack scored a go-ahead basket.

The Pistons would rally and take a 102-101 lead on a basket by Hamilton with 56 ticks left on the game clock; the Pacers would regain the lead on a layup by Jack and seal the win on a free throw by Granger with 5 seconds remaining.

Indiana’s high scorer was Granger with 24 points, 3 rebounds and a steal while Brandon Rush added 21 (including five 3-pointers) with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a block; Jack and Ford chipped in 18 each – with Jack grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists along with a steal while Ford grabbed a rebound, dished out 5 assists along with a 2 steals.

Detroit was led by Hamilton with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while Tayshaun Prince added 18 with3 rebounds and an assist; Antonio McDyess and Will Bynum chipped in 16 apiece – with McDyess grabbing 15 boards, dishing out an assist along with a steal and a block while Bynum grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 6 assists along with a steal.  Indiana (35-45) plays again on Monday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers while Detroit (39-41) returns home to host the Chicago Bulls – also on Monday night.


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