Pistons Pull Away In Stretch to Beat Bulls, NBA Scores

By ESPN

This season has been a struggle for Reggie Jackson, the point guard in whom the Detroit Pistons have invested so much.

"At times, you start feeling sorry for yourself," Jackson said. "You can't do that. You've just got to go out here and play -- good, bad or indifferent."

Jackson scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half -- making all 10 of his field goal attempts after halftime -- and Detroit pulled away down the stretch for a 109-95 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. The Pistons climbed into a tie for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference with the Bulls, who were playing without the injured Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo.

Jackson's performance has been spotty this season, and at times backup Ish Smith has seemed like a better option late in games. But Jackson was instrumental in helping the Pistons take control in a game Monday that was tied at 79 after three quarters.

Afterward, Jackson was reflective on a difficult season that began with knee problems that kept him out until December. He's been plagued by inconsistency since returning.

"I think what helped me for the most part was watching the team still play well. Throughout my struggles, they kept picking me up and find a way to get wins," he said. "I just thank them."

Detroit started the fourth with a 12-3 run and held Chicago to 16 points in the quarter. A hanging jumper by Jackson from near the elbow turned into a three-point play when he was fouled, and that gave the Pistons a 102-88 lead with 3:13 to play.

"We did get stagnant. We missed a couple of good looks early in the quarter that I thought affected us, but you've got to continue to play through it," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said.

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points for Chicago.

Detroit trailed 26-14 after a lackluster first quarter, but the Pistons cut it to just four at halftime. Jackson scored Detroit's first eight points of the third quarter, including two 3-pointers.

FOULING DRUMMOND

Detroit's Andre Drummond went 4 of 8 on free throws, and Chicago fouled him plenty in the third quarter. One foul with 1:50 left in the quarter was initially announced as one shot plus possession for the Pistons. Then it was changed to a regular foul.

"I thought it was a very good tackle on Robin Lopez's part," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy cracked. "Good solid hit -- he had his head up, like they teach you, and wrapped him up. I thought that was a good, solid hit. ... I was tempted to try the same thing on Jimmy Butler and see if the interpretation was the same."

Hornets 100, Pacers 88

Just before the first-quarter buzzer sounded, Nicolas Batum heaved up a long shot. The 29-foot toss banked off the glass and fell through the net.

That was when the Charlotte Hornets knew things were going their way Monday.

Kemba Walker scored 28 points, Batum added 21, including that improbable 3-pointer, and the Hornets beat the Indiana Pacers 100-88.

Returning home after their victory Saturday in Denver, the Hornets notched consecutive wins for the first time since Jan. 20-21.

"This is was an important win for us," Walker said. "To come off the road and come home and have a big game like this was a much-needed win."

They did it while fending off Paul George's 36 points on 15-of-25 shooting, and thwarting the Pacers' second-half comeback attempt.

Charlotte (28-35) used a fast start to provide enough cushion to cruise to the victory, despite a third quarter where the Pacers outscored the Hornets 29-16.

"We started this game flat," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "Not a lot of energy at all, and we dug ourselves a deep hole."

Adding to the woes: The Pacers attempted just three free throws the entire game.

Still, Indiana was able to cut Charlotte's lead to 82-75 with 8:12 remaining, but that was the closest they could come.

Jeremy Lamb sank a 3-pointer and a layup for the Hornets to keep the Pacers at bay.

Five players scored in double digits for the Hornets, including 14 from Lamb, 13 points and 11 rebounds from Cody Zeller, and 11 points and 13 rebounds from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The Hornets' lead grew to as large as 24 points late in the second quarter before Indiana began to rally.

The Pacers started the second half scoring 10 unanswered points, and hit 5-of-8 3-point attempts.

But by then, it was too late. Indiana was felled by an inability to score in the first half paired with sharp Charlotte shooting.

The Hornets struck early, using a 9-0 run to push their lead to 18-11 with 3:44 left in the first quarter. In that stretch, Batum sank two 3-pointers and a free throw, and Zeller had a layup on a pass from Batum.

Walker drained 6-of-13 first-half attempts for 17 points.

"They (Walker and Batum) set the tone obviously," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "That's how it's going to have to be. The ball's going to be in their hands and if we're going to make a run here (toward the playoffs), it's going to have to start with those two guys."

The Pacers' 37 points in the first half matched a season-low for a Hornets opponent; Charlotte also held Brooklyn to 37 first-half points Feb. 7.

Monday, March 6 Scoreboard

Milwaukee 112, Philadelphia 98

New York 118, Orlando 105

Miami 106, Cleveland 98

Golden State 119,  Atlanta 111

Detroit 109, Chicago 95

Brooklyn 122, Memphis 109

Charlotte 100, Indiana 88

San Antonio 112, Houston 110

Denver 108, Sacramento 96

Utah 88, New Orleans 83

Los Angeles Clippers 116, Boston 102

Tuesday, March 7 Schedule (All Times Central)

Portland at Oklahoma  City, 7 p.m.

Los  Angeles Clippers at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Washington at Phoenix, 8 p.m.