Caris LeVert, Pacers send Pistons to 13th straight loss

Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert (22) dribbles the ball in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Caris LeVert poured in a season-high 31 points and added five assists as the Indiana Pacers handed the Detroit Pistons their 13th consecutive loss, 122-113 on Thursday in Indianapolis.

Justin Holiday had 17 points, while Myles Turner contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for Indiana. Chris Duarte supplied 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists, Domantas Sabonis added 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Jeremy Lamb scored 11 points.

Saddiq Bey led the Pistons with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Cade Cunningham had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Frank Jackson tossed in 18 points. Hamidou Diallo added 12 points, Saben Lee chipped in 11 points and five assists, and Trey Lyles had 10 points.

The Pistons are one loss away from tying the franchise record for consecutive defeats in a single season, which was set in 1993-94.

🏁 @CarisLeVert goes for 31 PTS to power the @Pacers to the win! pic.twitter.com/rO07miVa9d

— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2021

Both teams were without key players and their head coaches. Detroit was playing its second game since Jerami Grant was sidelined by a thumb injury. Malcolm Brogdon sat out for Indiana due to Achilles soreness.

Pistons coach Dwane Casey missed the game for personal reasons, and Indiana’s Rick Carlisle is under the league’s health and safety protocols.

LeVert scored 20 first-half points, including nine in the last two minutes of the second quarter, and Indiana led 70-64 at halftime. Turner and Duarte scored 10 points apiece before the break, while Bey carried Detroit with 22 points. The Pacers made half of their field-goal attempts and had just five turnovers over the first 24 minutes.

The Pacers had a 6-0 spurt midway through the third quarter to gain a 10-point lead. LeVert and Turner each had a basket and an assist during that span.

Duarte hit a corner 3-pointer to make it 97-86 with 2:18 remaining in the third. LeVert followed with a layup for a 13-point Pacers lead. Indiana carried a 103-91 advantage into the fourth quarter.

After the Pacers nudged the lead back to 13, Lee had a steal and dunk. Sabonis answered with back-to-back layups.

LeVert’s layup with 3:28 remaining gave Indiana a 120-106 lead. Detroit never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Field Level Media