The Detroit Pistons finished last season winning four of its final five regular season games, but after a long lockout, all of that momentum felt many months away in a 91-79 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night in Indiana.
Detroit shot just 36.0 % from the field and the team's bench combined to shoot 22.7 % from the field as the Pistons failed to eclipse 21 points in any of the four quarters. Detroit also finished with almost as many turnovers (16) as assists (17) on a poor offensive night all around.
On a down night overall, the Pistons could find at least one reason for optimism: Jonas Jerebko, who missed all of last season after tearing his ACL, made an effective return in a starting role, scoring 17 points on 7-11 shooting from the field along with 7 rebounds and zero turnovers. Rodney Stuckey tied for the lead in scoring for Detroit with Jerebko with 17 points.
The Pistons will aim to even their record when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers in their home opener on Wednesday. That game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. EST.