Pacers' Mathurin Erupts in Third Quarter, Leads Team to Victory Over Pistons
Rookie Shines, Nets Season-High 31 Points
Indiana Pacers 124, Detroit Pistons 112
Indianapolis, IN - December 11, 2023 - Rookie Bennedict Mathurin made a statement on Sunday night, scoring 27 points and hitting three crucial 3-pointers in the pivotal third quarter as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Detroit Pistons 124-112 in NBA action.
Mathurin, the Pacers' first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had a relatively quiet first half with just 10 points. However, he came alive in the third quarter, scoring 17 points and helping the Pacers turn a three-point lead into a 10-point advantage heading into the final period.
Caris LeVert also had a strong performance for the Pacers, scoring a season-high 31 points. LeVert was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 20 of his points before the break. Buddy Hield added 19 points, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 18 points and 11 assists.
For the Pistons, Bojan Bogdanovic led the way with 26 points. Jaden Ivey added 24 points and 7 assists, while Isaiah Stewart had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Pistons were unable to keep up with the Pacers' hot shooting, especially from beyond the arc. The Pacers hit 16 3-pointers in the game, compared to just 8 for the Pistons.
The victory improves the Pacers' record to 16-15 on the season, while the Pistons fall to 10-21. The Pacers will return to action on Tuesday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Pistons will face the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
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