Pro Sports

Caris LeVert scores 31 points, Pacers beat Pistons 122-113

Posted December 16, 2021 6:00 am

By MARK AMBROGI

Indiana Pacers' Caris LeVert dives for a looser ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Caris LeVert scored 20 of his 31 points in the first half and the Indiana Pacers sent the Detroit Pistons to their 13th straight loss, 122-113 on Thursday night.

LeVert was 12 of 18 from the field. Justin Holiday added 17 points for Indiana, shooting 5 of 15.

Saddiq Bey led the Pistons with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Cade Cunningham added 19 points, and Frank Jackson had 18. Detroit is an NBA-worst 4-23.

The Pacers had to play the last several minutes of the third quarter in the third quarter without Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner after they each picked up their fourth foul. Despite Sabonis playing just a little more than four minutes and Turner 6 1/2, the Pacers were able to take a 103-91 lead.

Turner finished with 16 points and four blocked shots. Sabonis had 12 points and a nine rebounds. Chris Duarte added 15 points off the bench.

In a high scoring first half, the Pacers shot 50% to take a 70-64 lead. The Pistons shot 52.3% in the alf. Detroit took its largest lead at 12-2 before Indiana reeled off 10 in a row to tie it.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Coach Dwane Casey is out for personal reasons, not related to COVID-19. Assistant coach Rex Kalamian directed the team. .. Detroit last won at home against Indiana on Nov. 13.

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon sat out because of a sore right Achilles. Brad Wanamaker made his first start of the season, replacing Brogdon. Wanamaker finished with six points ... Acting coach Lloyd Pierce said head coach Rick Carlisle should be able to return for one of the weekend practices and coach Tuesday at Miami '¦ Indiana recalled Goga Bitadze from its G-League affiliate Thursday. The Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Bitadze, who joint the Mad Ants on Tuesday, averaged 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Host Houston on Saturday.

Pacers: At Miami on Tuesday night.

Indiana Pacers' Chris Duarte (3) goes up for a dunk against Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

Detroit Pistons' Saddiq Bey (41) puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers' Domantas Sabonis (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

Detroit Pistons' Saddiq Bey (41) goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Chris Duarte (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

Indiana Pacers' Caris LeVert (22) makes a pass against Detroit Pistons' Hamidou Diallo (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

Detroit Pistons' Rodney McGruder (17) puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers' Chris Duarte (3) and Jeremy Lamb (26) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

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