Agencies/Los Angeles

The Detroit Pistons got the John Loyer era off to a positive start on Monday. Brandon Jennings led a balanced attack with 21 points, Rodney Stuckey added 20 off the bench and the Pistons motored past the visiting San Antonio Spurs 109-100 in Loyer’s debut as new interim head coach.
“We had seven or eight guys in double figures,” Jennings said. “When things are clicking like that we’re hard to stop.”
Loyer had the Pistons playing together with energy, poise and passion, just one day after being promoted from assistant to replace fired Maurice Cheeks, who guided the club to a 21-29 record.
“We need positive change and I thought our guys came out had a great effort tonight with great determination,” said Loyer, who got his shot after 11 NBA seasons as an assistant with four teams. “They set the tone tonight, they wanted to go out and win the game.”
Greg Monroe tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds while Andre Drummond had 14 with nine boards for the Pistons (22-29), who earned their fifth straight home win and third in a row overall.
“Certain events that are beyond our control, but we were able to come out and focus on basketball,” said Pistons forward Josh Smith, who tallied 12 points. “We came out with a big win against a great team.”
Detroit closed the first half on a 15-5 run and led 59-48 at the break behind 14 points from Jennings before taking control early in the second half.
The Pistons opened the third quarter on a 14-4 run capped by Monroe’s basket as the gap grew to 73-52 with 7 minutes 35 seconds left in the period.
The Pistons carried a 92-71 entering the final frame and stayed comfortably ahead, allowing the lead to dip to nine late in the contest en route to the impressive win.
“I told the guys when we were in the locker room, I’m so proud of them,” Loyer said. “I only thought there was about a three-minute period to where they showed more energy, more determination than us.
“You show determination, hustle for 45 of the 48 minutes, you’re going to be pretty successful most nights.”
Marco Belinelli had a team-high 20 points for the short-handed Spurs, who dropped to 3-2 on their nine-game road trip after committing 19 turnovers leading to 26 points.
“I thought our defence was the worst we played all year, especially in the first half,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “Mentally and physically we did not bring it.”
Elsewhere, David West scored 21 of his 25 points in the first half, and the Indiana Pacers crushed the Denver Nuggets 119-80 for their biggest win of the season.
The Pacers shot 57.5% from the field, sinking 46 of 80 shots.
Indiana (40-11) won for the 14th time in their past 15 home games and made quick work of an opponent missing four of its top players.
Denver were playing without starting point guard Ty Lawson, center JaVale McGee and forward Danilo Gallinari—as well as reserve guard Nate Robinson.
The Nuggets (24-26) lost their third straight and fell for the eighth time in 12 games.