Pacers 91, Pistons 79
Roy Hibbert led a balanced attack with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers cruised to a 91-79 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons in a sloppy season opener or both teams.
Hibbert was one of five players to score in double figures for the Pacers, who prevailed despite shooting just 36.8 percent from the field. The Pistons were even worse on the night, connecting on just 36 percent of their shots.
That poor shooting sunk the Pistons early, as they recorded just two field goals in nearly eight minutes of action in the first quarter to fall behind by nine.
Detroit drew to within three on a long Jonas Jerebko jumper just past the midway point of the second quarter, but the Pacers closed on a 17-6 run - highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers - to go up by 14 at the break.
Danny Granger also had 16 points for Indiana, while Tyler Hansbrough added 15 points and 13 boards and offseason acquisition David West had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Rodney Stuckey and Jerebko had 17 points apiece for Detroit, which was outrebounded 53-40 in defeat.