The Detroit Pistons suffered a 103-97 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. The road loss means the Pistons will finish the 2011-2012 lockout shortened season with a 7-26 mark on the road.
Missed free throws nearly cost the Pistons on Sunday against the Raptors and it killed them during Monday's loss. The Pistons shot 13-for-22 (59-percent) on the night from the line while the Pacers hit 29 of their 38 free tries. With less than a minute remaining, the Pistons had a chance to take the lead, but Greg Monroe missed two free throws. Indiana would seal it from there with their own free throws.
The Pacers were playing without Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger and George Hill, who are all resting for the playoffs. Monroe took advantage of Hibbert's absence by recording his 30th double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Pistons finish their season with a game on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Detroit Pistons are closing out the road portion of their 2011-2012 schedule against the playoff bound Indiana Pacers on Monday night. At the half, the Pistons are trailing the Pacers by two, 54-52.
Indiana's playing without Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and George Hill (shoulder injury), but didn't prevent them from leading for much of the first half. Paul George has picked up some of the slack for his fellow resting starters, scoring a game-high 13 and grabbing six rebounds. The Pacers have benefitted from 19 free throw attempts and a 13-4 advantage on the fast break thanks to the Pistons' nine turnovers.
The Pistons are being led by Greg Monroe; he has nine points and six rebounds. Austin Daye has eight points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting game off the bench.
