Game Preview: Underperforming Teams Meet in Pistons-Pacers Clash
The Detroit Pistons(16-20) host the Indiana Pacers(17-18) tonight at 7:30 PM EST at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Indiana decimated Detroit in their last meeting on December 17th, 105-90. Paul George scored 26 points in the win.
The Pacers have won two straight games. On Sunday they were able to defeat the Orlando Magic 117-104.Myles Turner scored 23 points and 12 rebounds. Turner has been a success story for Indiana who has struggled this season. He has scored in double figures in his last 14 games, which has alleviated some of the scoring stress off of Paul George. Jeff Teague added 12 points and nine assists. He is averaging 15.3 points this season, but more impressively, is dishing a career-high 7.7 assists per game. Indiana is a better team when he is on the court. After enduring a four-game losing streak, the Pacers are starting to figure things out. Indiana has won seven of their last nine games at The Palace.
The Magic are 4-13 on the year on the road.
Detroit took down the Miami Heat 107-98 in their last contest. Miami started the game off 8-8 from the field and scored 37 points alone in the first quarter. Detroit used a strong second half to comeback and win. Andre Drummond led the way for Detroit, finishing with an impressive 25 points and 18 rebounds. Reggie Jackson had his best performance of the year, scoring 27 points and dishing five assists in the win. Tobias Harris scored 16 points, while Marcus Morris added 11 points.
Probable Starting Lineups:
Detroit Pistons
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Jon Leuer
C: Andre Drummond
Indiana Pacers
PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Glenn Robinson III
SF: Paul George
PF: Thaddeus Young
C: Myles Turner
Injuries
Rodney Stuckey missed Indiana's last game with a hamstring injury.
Pistons' center Aron Baynes left last game with what was determined to be an ankle sprain. He left the game in a walking boot and is expected to miss multiple games. Reggie Bullock is still a few weeks away in his meniscus injury.
Featured image: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports