Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions October 23rd 2024

Pistons vs Pacers October 23rd 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Detroit Pistons will host the Indiana Pacers in a Central Division matchup. The Pacers are favored by 4.5 points and are -193 on the moneyline.

Last year, the Pacers finished 6th in the Eastern Conference, while the Pistons finished 15th. The over/under line for this game is set at 234.5.

Pacers vs. Pistons Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons
• Where: Detroit at Little Caesars Arena
• Date: Wednesday, October 23rd
• Betting Odds IND -4.5, IND -193 | DET +164 O/U 234.5

The Pacers Can Win If…

Indiana finished last season with a 47-35 record, placing 6th in the Eastern Conference. They were 32-20 in conference play and 11-6 in divisional games, finishing 3rd in the Central Division. This season, we have the Pacers ranked 16th in our pre-season power rankings, with a 64.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 6.7% chance of winning their division.

At home, Indiana had a +6.8 scoring margin and a 26-15 record, going 22-19 ATS. On the road, they were 21-20 straight-up and 20-21 ATS. The Pacers were favored in 43 games, finishing 26-17 in those matchups. Their games averaged 243.5 points, with an over/under record of 43-39.

Ranked 4th in our preseason offensive power rankings, the Pacers led the league in scoring last season, averaging 123.3 points per game. They were 1st in field goal percentage (50.7%) and field goal attempts per game (92.7). Indiana also ranked 3rd in possessions per game (101.2). They were 11th in made threes per game (13.2) and 10th in three-point percentage (37.4%).

Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton are our top two projected scorers for Indiana this season. Siakam is projected to finish 23rd in the league in scoring, while Haliburton is 38th. Haliburton is also projected to lead the team in made threes, ranking 16th in the NBA. Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith are projected to finish 3rd and 2nd on the team in made threes, respectively.

Indiana heads into this season ranked 26th in our defensive power rankings after allowing 120.2 points per game last year, which ranked 27th in the NBA. They struggled to defend the field, allowing a league-worst 49.7% shooting, but performed better against the three, holding opponents to 36.5% (16th in the NBA).

Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner are key rebounders, though Indiana ranked 28th in defensive rebounding last season. They were 8th in blocked shots, and 11th in steals, averaging 7.7 per game.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Pacers have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 4-6 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 112 points per game in these contests.
• As the betting favorite, the Pacers have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 4-1.
• Over their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Pistons Can Win If…

The Pistons enter this season ranked 28th in our power rankings, with a 2.4% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, Detroit finished 14-68, placing 15th in the Eastern Conference. They were 10-41 in conference games and 2-14 in divisional matchups, finishing 5th in the Central Division.

Against the spread, Detroit was 14-68, with identical 7-33 home and 7-35 road records. They were 3-5 when favored and 11-63 as the underdog. At home, they had a -8.0 points per game scoring margin, which dropped to -10.1 on the road. Their average over/under line was 228 points, and they had a 41-40-1 O/U record, with their games averaging 228.9 points per contest.

Last season, Detroit ranked 27th in our offensive power rankings, scoring 109.9 points per game, which was also 27th in the league. They were 9th in possessions per game (99.6) but only 20th in field goal attempts (88.2), shooting 46.3% (24th). The Pistons struggled from beyond the arc, making 11.0 threes per game (29th) on 31.7 attempts (27th), with a 34.8% success rate (25th). They were 15th in both free throw attempts (21.7) and offensive rebounds (10.5), hitting 78.5% of their free throws (12th).

Cade Cunningham returns after averaging 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds last season. He’s projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 31st in our league-wide projections. Tobias Harris, acquired from the 76ers, is projected to be the Pistons’ second-leading scorer. Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Tim Hardaway Jr. round out the top five, with Hardaway projected to be 2nd on the team in made threes, behind Malik Beasley.

After finishing 25th in our defensive power rankings last season, the Pistons are projected to remain near the bottom of the league. They allowed 119.0 points per game, ranking 26th in the NBA, and opponents shot 49.1% from the field against them, placing them 24th in field-goal percentage allowed. Detroit was slightly better at defending the three, ranking 19th, with opponents shooting 37.0%.

Jalen Duren is expected to lead the team in rebounding, with Tobias Harris also contributing. Detroit ranked 18th in defensive rebounds last season. They were 20th in blocked shots, and their 6.5 steals per game were the fewest in the NBA.

• Although Detroit has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 99 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Detroit has an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 1-4 straight up.
• In their last five games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re putting our money on the Pacers to win, and have the projected score sitting at 165-123. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Pacers at -4.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 234.5 and our model has the Pacers and Pistons finishing with a combined 288 points. Our pick is to take the over.

ScoresandStats | The Edge You’ve Been Looking For

Overachieving Pacers Open vs. Rebuilding Pistons with Playoff Aspirations on the Line

The Indiana Pacers stunned many NBA fans last season by winning 47 regular-season games and making an unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals. This year, as they prepare to open their season against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, the Pacers aim to prove that last year’s success was no fluke. With a largely unchanged roster and the same fast-paced, high-scoring approach that took them far in 2023, the team looks poised to make another deep playoff run.

However, oddsmakers and analysts are not convinced the Pacers can repeat last season’s performance. Many favor the reigning champion Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat to have a better shot at reaching the NBA Finals. Despite these doubts, the Pacers remain focused on their goals, understanding that every new season brings fresh challenges.

Pacers Retain Continuity, Eye Another Playoff Push

One of the key factors in the Pacers’ optimism is the continuity of their roster. Over the offseason, they did not lose any of their starters or key reserves. This level of consistency is crucial for team chemistry, especially for a squad that led the NBA in scoring last season, averaging an explosive 123.3 points per game.

Ben Sheppard, a reserve guard, stressed the importance of resetting their mindset for the new season: “It’s important to remember that last year doesn’t matter. All the success we had last year, that doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a new season.”

Leading the charge again will be two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 20.1 points and an NBA-best 10.9 assists last season. Haliburton is the engine of Indiana’s offense, orchestrating plays and pushing the tempo. Newly re-signed power forward Pascal Siakam, who posted a team-high 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors, is another essential component. His ability to score from multiple spots on the floor and defend at a high level will be critical to the team’s success.

Defensively, Myles Turner remains the anchor, providing shot-blocking prowess and interior toughness. Turner contributed 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season. His rim protection, combined with the team’s offensive firepower, gives the Pacers a well-rounded profile heading into the season.

Power forward Siakam is optimistic but realistic about the work ahead: “It’s going to take a lot of work, but I think we have the talent and the characteristics to be able to do that. There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs and we’ve got to focus on our task and improve every day, but I do think we have the pieces.”

Detroit Pistons Enter Rebuild Mode

In contrast to the Pacers’ playoff ambitions, the Detroit Pistons are at the beginning of a significant rebuild after suffering through the worst season in franchise history, winning just 14 games. This dismal performance led to a complete overhaul of the organization. Owner Tom Gores fired general manager Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams, replacing them with former New Orleans Pelicans executive Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations and J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach.

The Pistons’ roster has also been retooled, with an influx of experienced veterans added to support their young core. The most notable addition is Tobias Harris, who signed a two-year deal after starting for the Philadelphia 76ers for more than five seasons. Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists last season and will start at power forward for the Pistons, providing leadership on and off the court.

Other offseason additions include Malik Beasley, who will compete for minutes at the wing positions, and Tim Hardaway Jr., acquired in a trade from the Dallas Mavericks. Both players bring valuable experience and depth to Detroit’s rotation, helping the team transition from its rebuild phase to a more competitive standing.

Pistons’ Future Hinges on Development of Young Stars

Despite the veteran additions, the Pistons’ long-term success depends on the development of their young stars, particularly Cade Cunningham, who signed a max rookie-scale extension during the offseason. Cunningham averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists last season and is seen as the cornerstone of Detroit’s future. With more proven veterans around him, Cunningham is expected to improve his efficiency and take his game to the next level.

In addition to Cunningham, the Pistons will look to Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to continue their growth. Both struggled during Williams’ tenure but have shown flashes of potential in the preseason under Bickerstaff’s guidance. If these young players can step up and thrive alongside the team’s veterans, Detroit could exceed expectations and accelerate their rebuild.

Bickerstaff is realistic about the Pistons’ prospects for the upcoming season. “We will be a work in progress all season long, and that’s our mentality going into this year. We will not be a finished product and we don’t expect to be. This is something where we’re looking at the big picture, but our aim is to continue to get better until we feel like we’re that complete team that can compete at the level that we’re all looking to.”

Outlook for the Season Opener

As the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons face off in the season opener, both teams are at pivotal moments. The Pacers, with their offensive firepower and continuity, are looking to prove that they belong among the Eastern Conference’s elite. Meanwhile, the Pistons, with a new front office, coaching staff, and a mix of veterans and young talent, are focused on laying the foundation for future success.

While the Pacers are the favorites heading into the game, Detroit’s rebuild under Bickerstaff could surprise. The matchup offers an intriguing contrast between a team striving to build on recent success and another team aiming to turn the corner from a rebuild to competitiveness.

Conclusion

The Indiana Pacers are entering the 2024-25 NBA season with high expectations, aiming to replicate their playoff success. With stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam leading a dynamic, fast-paced offense, they have the pieces to make another deep postseason run. On the other side, the Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a rebuild, but with young talents like Cade Cunningham supported by veterans such as Tobias Harris, they are positioning themselves for long-term growth.

As both teams begin their journeys this season, the opener between the Pacers and Pistons will offer an early glimpse into their futures. The Pacers seek to solidify their status as contenders, while the Pistons aim to lay the groundwork for sustained success.