Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Detroit Pistons (2-13, 5th Central) tip off on Friday against a Central division rival, when visiting the Indiana Pacers (8-6, 2nd Central). Detroit was defeated by the Denver Nuggets 107-103 on Monday, with Cade Cunningham scoring 27 points for the Pistons. The loss was Detroit's 12th straight. Indiana was defeated by the Toronto Raptors 132-131 on Wednesday night. Tyrese Halliburton scored a team best 33 points. Indiana has lost two of the last three. Detroit will play without C Jalen Duren, SF Bogan Bogdanovic, SG Joe Harris and PG Monte Morris. Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard are questionable.
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Detroit Struggling to Score
The Detroit Pistons have lost 12 straight and a big part of the reason is a lack of scoring. The Pistons are 27th in scoring, averaging 109.5 points per game, while shooting 46.3 % (21st) overall and 35.2% (20th) from three point land. Cade Cunningham is the leading scorer for Detroit with an average of 21.4 points per game, while Alec Burks is second with an average of 13.2 points. Third leading scorer Jalen Duren (12.6 ppg) is out injured. Cunningham is the dish leader with an average of 7.3 assists per game. Detroit has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.6 with 26.8 assists and 16.8 turnovers per game.
The Pistons are also below average in points allowed at 115.9 per game, which is 21st. The Pistons allow a field goal shooting percentage of 47% (17th) and three-point shooting of 36.2% (17th). On the boards, Detroit averages 12.5 offensive rebounds and 33.4 defensive rebounds per game for a total of 45.9 led by Ausar Thompson with an average of 10.1 boards per contest.
Indiana is a polar opposite from offense to defense
The Indiana Pacers are first in the NBA in scoring with an average of 128.3 points per game and have the best field goal shooting percentage in the league at 50.7%. Indiana’s 3-point shooting is 39.2% which is third best and they have the 9th best free throw shooting percentage at 79.4%. Tyrese Haliburton is leading Indiana in scoring with an average of 25.3 points per game and in assists with an average of 12.3 dishes per contest. Myles Turner is the second leading scorer with an average of 16.8 points per game. Indiana has a 2.4 assist to turnover ratio with 30.8 assists and 12.6 turnovers per game.
Indiana is completely opposite on the defensive end as the Pacers are 30th or last in both points allowed at 126.4 and field goal shooting percentage allowed at 50.2%. The Pacers are allowing opponents to shoot 39.1% from 3-point territory which is 28th. On the boards, Indiana averages 9.4 offensive and 30.7 defensive rebounds per game for a total of 40.1 led by Turner with an average of 7.4 boards per game. Turner is also the swat leader with an average of 2.0 blocked shots per game and Haliburton’s 1.1 steals per game leads the team
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The Detroit Pistons offense will not be able to keep pace with Indiana's up-tempo play. Not only does Indiana lead the NBA in pace of play at 107.3, the Pacers are also number one in offensive efficiency at 119.0. Indiana is scoring an average of 128.3 points per game which is nearly 19 points more than Detroit's 109.5 points per game. Detroit has failed to cover the spread in three of its last five and in eight of its last 12, while Indiana has covered the spread in five of its last eight. Indiana's shooting percentage of 50.7% leads the NBA in their three-point shooting percentage of 39.2% is third. In contrast, Detroit is shooting just 46.3% overall and 35.2% from long distance which are 21st and 20th respectively.
Prediction: Indiana Pacers
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With Indiana scoring the most points in the NBA and giving up the most points in the NBA it is not surprising that each of Indiana's last 10 games have finished over in the point total. The point total has also finished over in seven of Detroit's last 10 games. And when these two take to the court against one another the total has finished over in nine of the last 10 games played in Indiana and in four of the last five games overall between the two.
Prediction: OVER
Kevin grew up in a sports-only household. Every afternoon was set to watching any sport that was on T.V. After years of watching sports he got introduced to the betting world, and soon stats, trends, and odds were Kevin's best friends. Now, almost 2 decades later, His life revolves around sports, writing about them, and betting on them. We are glad to have Kevin on our Winners & Whiners & StatSalt teams and you should be happy that we have him as well.
