Matchup
After playing three games on the road in four days, the Pacers (19-23) head back to the friendly Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a bout against Detroit Pistons (12-30) on Wednesday night.
While the Fieldhouse held a handful of NCAA Championship games, the Blue & Gold picked up a pair of wins down South Beach before losing a rough 140-113 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum on Monday night. The flawed Pistons will be a welcome sight to the team as they try to keep going after a full successful road trip.
Although they have won two of their last three, Detroit had little to laugh about this season. Through 42 games, the Motor City team is bidding for the worst record at the Eastern Conference. One enduring place for the club is the seventh-year-old Jerami Grant play. Former Syracuse star and NBA legend Horace Grant is getting an average of 23.3 points high this season – 9.7 points higher than his previous career high in the world. his 2018-19 season while playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shaving the place of a “3-and-D” prototypical shield that he donated last year with the Denver Nuggets, Grant has shown the ability to cut to paint and create his own paintings while with the Pistons this season.
But Grant has received little help on offense this season from his players. Mason Plumlee is perhaps the most influential player this season. The former Duke center is close to averaging twice this season at 10.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough to help Grant’s effort to lead the team.
If the Blue & Gold want to prove they can fight for a playoff spot, this game presents itself as a must-win situation. Despite what’s available for starters Malcolm Brogdon (lower back pain) and Myles Turner (left ankle), Indiana should be able to pull off the win. But any team can win on any particular night in the NBA. Just ask the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers – all top teams that have dropped a game against Detroit this year.
Projected beginners
Pacers: PG – Caris LeVert, SG – Edmond Sumner, SF – Justin Holiday, PF – Doug McDermott, C – Domantas Sabonis
Pistons: PG – Delon Wright, SG – Frank Jackson, SF – Saddiq Bey, PF – Jerami Grant, C – Mason Plumlee
Injury Report
Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon – inquisitive (lower back pain), Myles Turner – inquisitive (left ankle), TJ Warren – out (left foot pressure fracture)
Pistons: Hamidou Diallo – out (right groin snoring), Wayne Ellington – out (right adductor strain), Killian Hayes – out (right hip strain), Rodney McGruder – out (right elbow sprain), Jahlil Okafor – out (left knee surgery)
Last meeting
February 11, 2021: Linked 52-52 at half time, the Pacers beat the Pistons 59-43 in the second half to capture a 111-95 victory at Little Caesars Arena. The four-game climbing victory for the Blue & Gold broke.
After struggling in his previous trip, Domantas Sabonis put up an all-Star capital night, scoring 26 points on a 9-of-14 shooting. The big three almost lost a double after slamming in eight boards and fishing out eight fans as well. Malcolm Brogdon finished with 18 points, while Jeremy Lamb fired a 6-of-7 stellar shot from the field.
After a slow start, the Pacers ’offense was rolled into the paint. The squad scored 16 of their first 18 points near the edge as part of a 19-6 run that gave Indiana a 28-19 lead after their first quarter.
However, the Pistons managed to hang around in the second quarter. With the Pacers leading 40-32 at the 7:16 mark, Detroit stopped nine unanswered, including triple Jerami Grant who gave the Pistons a 4:39 lead. Five lead changes occurred in the final minutes before the Sabonis snipe caught the score as the teams entered the locker rooms.
With Indiana running 16-3 in the third quarter, sucking out Detroit’s six-minute scoring thirst, it led the Blue & Gold to an 82-70 lead after three. The Pacers quickly put off the potential bidback from Detroit as they extended the lead in the opening minutes of the final frame. With a four-point play from Justin Holiday at the 7:44 mark Indiana’s lead widened to 95-78, allowing Indiana to travel easily for the win.
Please note
- The Pacers are looking for consistent wins against the Pistons for the first time since 2019.
- Indiana will try to break a six-game home losing streak Wednesday night – the longest streak since the 1983-84 season.
- Pistons center Isaiah Stewart and Pacers guard Justin Holiday both played collegially at the University of Washington.
Tickets
A small number of tickets for all upcoming Pacers home games from March 17 – April 21 are now on sale. Tickets for the last nine regular quarter home games go on sale on Monday, April 19th. Single Match Tickets »Health & Safety Guide»
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (reporter / sideline guest)
Radio: 93.5 / 107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (reporter / sideline guest)
Note: Inside Fieldhouse Life Bankers, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.