The Detroit Pistons finally snapped their 10-game home losing streak with a 119-109 win over the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Their mini win streak came on the road a couple weeks back, as they took down the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings away from Detroit. Since then, they have fallen to elite Western Conference forces such as the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers but have played better overall.
Their first major change was getting Jodie Meeks, the sharp shooter that Stan Van Gundy acquired before anyone else this past summer, who is now back from an injury. He had an instant impact, if by doing nothing else than hitting open shots, something the Pistons were struggling with. Tonight, they shot 54 percent their highest (by far) this season. Another major change came a few days ago when the Pistons released forward Josh Smith. The versatile, but not-versatile-enough-in-that-he-couldn't-shoot forward was released and then signed by the Houston Rockets. While the Pistons won their first game without him, he won his first down south, scoring 21 as the Rockets took care of the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime.
Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond led the way for Detroit in this game, as both players figure to take on slightly larger roles with Smith's departure. They combined for 39 points, while Monroe grabbed 15 rebounds. Brandon Jennings had a double-double with 14 points and 10 dimes, while the team only committed nine turnovers.
Indiana doubled that count with 18 on the night, as they couldn't get in a consistent flow on offense. They were feeding center Roy Hibbert most of the night, who made nine of his ten shots for 19 points, but it wasn't enough. Indiana is clearly missing superstar small forward Paul George and, to make matters worse, their combo guard Rodney Stuckey, a former Piston, got banged up in the third quarter after colliding with Jonas Jerebko on a fast break. Jerebko added 10 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Meeks had 13, also off the pine.
The Pistons will be on the road in their next three games, as they start their trip with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time. The Pacers will try to bounce back at Brooklyn tomorrow night at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.