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Game Preview: Pacers vs Pistons

Editor's Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage will no longer be in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use to the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St. You will, however, still be able to exit the parking garage using the single-lane Delaware St. exit ramp.

Matchup

On Friday night, the Pacers outrebounded the Atlanta Hawks by 21, and still came up short, losing 102-96 on the road.

On Saturday night, rebounding likely won't come as easy to the Blue & Gold, as the Pacers lineup against Andre Drummond, the league's top rebounder.

However, with each passing game, the Pacers seem to be reconnecting with their smash mouth roots. There is also a chance that Saturday night could also bring the return of center Ian Mahinmi, who has missed four games with a sore lower back.

It would be just the second time that Pacers head coach Frank Vogel would be able to start his desired first unit, with Mahinmi and Myles Turner anchoring the frontcourt. The first and only time those two started alongside one another, it ended up being a double-digit rout of the Hawks.

But the Pistons, winners of two of their last three, aren't a group that's easily pushed around. Starting alongside the carom-magnet Drummond, is the dual power forward tandem of Marcus Morris and Ersan Ilyasova. Behind them, it's rookie Stanely Johnson, whose physical play this season has set him apart from much of the rookie class. And capping off their unit is Reggie Jackson, the former Thunder backup whose found his groove as the premier point guard of the Pistons, running the pick and roll with the precision of a Detroit auto assembly line.

The last time the Pistons were in town, Paul George scored the last 21 Pacers points of the game to close out the Pistons in remarkable fashion.

Saturday night could also be a game with implications in April. With a win, the Pacers would win the season series over their division rival 3-1, giving them a crucial edge in the crowded Eastern Conference Playoff hunt.

Projected Starters

George Hill

George Hill

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis

Paul George

Paul George

Myles Turner

Myles Turner

Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill

Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson

Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson

Marcus Morris

Marcus Morris

Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova

Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Myles Turner, C - Jordan Hill
Pistons: PG - Reggie Jackson, SG - Stanley Johnson, SF - Marcus Morris, PF - Ersan Ilyasova, C - Andre Drummond

Injury Report

Pacers: Ian Mahinmi - questionable (sore lower back), Rodney Stuckey - out (right foot sprain and bone bruise)

Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - out (core muscle strain), Jodie Meeks - out (fracture, fifth metatarsal, right foot)

Coors Cold Hard Fact

With six points on 3-for-3 shooting in the Pacers win over the Nets on February 3, Pacers center Jordan Hill surpassed 3,000 points for his career.

Last Meeting

January 2, 2016: The Pacers got off to a hot start against the Pistons in their third meeting of the season, outscoring Detroit 24-20 in the first quarter. But it was the fourth quarter that was the most memorable, as Paul George caught fire in the early-January matchup.

Starting just under the 5:00 mark, George scored Indiana's final 21 points, putting the Pistons away to the tune of a 94-82 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"I was able to get a layup, get some free throws, kind of put me in a rhythm," George said. "I felt confident. It was just a matter of time."

In addition to the late scoring frenzy from George, he also hauled in 14 rebounds, the most by any Pacers player this season.

Noteworthy

  • Paul George has averaged 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds over the three games the teams have played this season.
  • Detroit has lost 13 of its last 15 games on the road against Indiana.
  • Shooting 43.4 percent from the field, the Pistons have the fourth-worst team field goal percentage in the NBA.
  • At 65 percent, the Pistons have the worst team free throw percentage in the NBA.
  • Pacers forward C.J. Miles needs 10 points to reach 6,000 for his career.

Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

Tickets

Make sure to have your seats secured for Feb. 6, when the Pacers host the NBA's leading rebounder Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons. Find Tickets »

Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special

Select Mini Basketball - $10. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.