Pacers travel to Detroit still seeking first win
After their first 0-3 start since 2009, the Indiana Pacers have hit the road and take on the Detroit Pistons at the Palace with their first win in sight.
WHO: Indiana Pacers (0-3) v. Detroit Pistons (3-0)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30 pm ET / 6:30 pm CT
WHERE: The Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, MI)
TV: Fox Sports Indiana
RADIO: 1070 the Fan
STREAM: Fox Sports GO and on the FSGO app
The Pacers
Indiana has put themselves in a difficult position – a 0-3 start and now hitting the road to Detroit first, and then Boston, both of which are playoff contenders. The offense is sitting in the bottom ten in multiple offensive and defensive categories, and the shooting has been unexpectedly poor, especially from the main guys in Paul George and Monta Ellis.
Myles Turner has been a bright spot in an offense with no shine, but there’s only so much the Pacers can rely on their rookie for especially with him battling an ankle injury from preseason to this point. One player Indy is looking to tonight is Rodney Stuckey, who has always plays well with a chip on his shoulder. And what bigger or better chip is there than returning to the team who showed you the door just a couple of years ago.
The bigs, though, will have the biggest test of all tonight. Myles Turner, yes, but more Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen who will see major minutes against Andre Drummond, Marcus Morris, and Ersan Ilyasova, one of the league’s biggest frontcourts.
In summation, tonight won’t be easy for the Blue & Gold, but a 0-4 start would spell their worst since 1988 and the ominous atmosphere would be allowed to linger even still.
The Pistons
Detroit won’t want to slip up on a perfect record, even three games in, so don’t expect Indiana to waltz in and beat down their longtime Central Division rivals.
Stanley Johnson has impressed in his early showings as a rookie, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 boards a game while helping to control the Pistons offense. Both Johnson and Reggie Jackson are in control as the ball handlers but have some solid support from other guys on the outside (think KCP) as well as down low.
One of the biggest challenges tonight for the Pistons will be similar to what it was in the two preseason meetings: how can the Pistons force PG out of a play when defending? George hasn’t gotten off to a flying start to say the least but still remains Indiana’s biggest threat by a mile. If Detroit can contain him properly, tonight will go their way.
Next: Pacers: Where does the issue lay early on?
After examining where the issue was yesterday, the attitude going into Detroit tonight is that a first win is a must with not a lot of injury trouble to complain about and a stagnant offense still looking to fire. The Pistons, however, will have a much different gameplan in place as they will release the league’s biggest double-double machine at the moment in Andre Drummond. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.