Pistons Look to Keep the Momentum Rolling Against Pacers

The Detroit Pistons are officially one of the NBA’s coolest comeback stories this season. Last year, they were stuck in the league’s basement with just 14 wins. Now? They’re heading into the halfway point with a winning record, no matter what happens Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers.

With 10 wins in their last 12 games, the Pistons have totally flipped the script, sitting at 21-19. Monday’s win over the Knicks, 124-119, was the latest highlight. And it wasn’t just any win—it was a clinic in team trust and execution. Cade Cunningham faced double teams all night but didn’t force anything. Instead, he dished the ball to Tim Hardaway Jr., who set up Malik Beasley for two dagger 3-pointers in the final 39 seconds. Game over.

“Cade trusted Tim, and Tim trusted Malik. That’s what good teams do—they trust each other to make the right play,” said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “You don’t have to be the guy; you just have to make the right move. That’s the lesson we’re learning.”

And let’s not ignore Cade’s All-Star-level play. He dropped 36 points on the Knicks, his fourth 30+ game in the last six outings. Simply put, the guy is balling out.

Pacers: Fighting Through Adversity

The Pacers, on the other hand, are hanging tough, even with some setbacks. They snapped the Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak on Sunday with a big 108-93 win in Cleveland. The rematch didn’t go as well—a 127-117 loss—but they were missing their star, Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton, who averages 18.1 points and 8.8 assists, is recovering from a mild groin strain. His absence was felt, and coach Rick Carlisle didn’t sugarcoat it: “We need Tyrese back, plain and simple. He’s one of the best in the game.”

The rest of the squad knows they’ve got to step up in the meantime. “Ty brings so much to the team—energy, playmaking, everything,” said forward Pascal Siakam. “We’ve just got to figure out how to fill that gap.”

Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial

The Rivalry So Far

This is Round 3 for these two teams, and it’s all tied up. The Pacers won the season opener back in October, 115-109, thanks to a dominant second half. But the Pistons clapped back in November, shooting nearly 58% in a blowout 130-106 win.

Now, with Detroit rolling and Indiana showing flashes of resilience, this matchup has all the makings of a classic. The Pistons are riding high on trust and chemistry, while the Pacers are looking to adapt and fight without their floor general.

So, what’s the vibe for Thursday? Two teams, both growing in their own ways, ready to throw down. Whether you’re rooting for Detroit’s comeback season or Indiana’s “next man up” mentality, this one’s going to be fun to watch.