FAST BREAKDOWN
Three quick observations from Monday night’s 111-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
BATTERED AND BEATEN – Rebounding and turnovers. Whatever chance the Pistons had to squeeze out a win on the road minus two key players – Blake Griffin and Luke Kennard both missed the game due to injuries – were snuffed out by those two deficiencies. Indiana – also playing without two starters, the Darren Collison-Wes Matthews backcourt – was as desperate for a win as the Pistons. Tied with Boston entering the game and virtually locked into a 4-5 playoff matchup with the Celtics in which home court could be crucial – the Pacers have a 10-game road losing streak – the Pacers shot 57 percent after a ho-hum first quarter and didn’t allow the Pistons to dominate the boards.