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Luke Kennard explodes off the bench in Detroit Pistons opening night win

By Kevin Connelly

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 23: Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates after making a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 23: Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates after making a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Former Duke Basketball star Luke Kennard was sensational for the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, exploding for 30 points off the bench.

The NBA season officially tipped off on Tuesday night, but the majority of teams got their seasons underway on Wednesday, including the Detroit Pistons.

A playoff team from a year ago, the Pistons are hoping to return to the postseason this season and although it’s only one game, the team definitely got a big win on opening night on the road against the Indiana Pacers.

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Detroit was able to leave the Hoosier State with a 119-110 victory thanks to 30 points from former Duke Blue Devil Luke Kennard.

Kennard logged 28 minutes off the bench and netted three rebounds and two assists while shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range. The former Blue Devil also made 8-of-10 from the free throw line.

The Pistons selected the shooting guard out of Duke with the No. 12 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and he is coming off a season in which he averaged 9.7 points per game and in his two-year NBA career is averaging 8.6 points per game.

Kennard’s previous career high in points was 28, which he reached last season against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 10 in a 116-102 loss to Philly.

On Wednesday night, Kennard also had a team-high +/- rating of +12.

Despite his 30 points, Luke Kennard was not the Pistons leading scorer as his teammate, Andre Drummond, scored 32 points and 23 rebounds in the victory.

Detroit ended last season with a 41-41 record and got swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

light. Related Story. The 100 greatest Duke basketball players under Coach K

The Detroit Pistons are back in action on Thursday, October 24 for its home opener as Luke Kennard will be going up another former Duke Blue Devil making his NBA debut in Cam Reddish and the Atlanta Hawks. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:00pm EST.

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