Last Updated: Feb. 4 at 5:30 PM ET
Matchup
After putting together their second five-game win streak of the season, the Pacers (27-22) will look to ascend to new heights on Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons (23-27).
Saturday's game will be the Pistons' first visit to Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season. Indiana already has a pair of wins over their Central Division rivals, however, having won in Detroit on Dec. 17 and Jan. 3.
The Pacers' fifth consecutive win wasn't easy, but Indiana prevailed on Friday night in Brooklyn over the Nets, owners of the NBA's worst record.
The Blue & Gold led by as many as 19 points, but the Nets rallied and eventually took the lead in the fourth quarter before Jeff Teague & Co. righted the ship to pick up the win.
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Teague had another strong game, scoring 24 points while going 6-of-10 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free throw line. The former Pike High School star also dished out seven assists, his 17th straight game with at least seven dimes.
The Pacers may be without a key contributor on Saturday night. Starting power forward Thaddeus Young sprained his left wrist with 8:10 left in Friday's game in Brooklyn and did not return. If Young can't go, Lavoy Allen would likely fill in for him in the starting lineup, though head coach Nate McMillan could also go with a smaller lineup by moving C.J. Miles to power forward and starting either Glenn Robinson III or Monta Ellis at shooting guard.
Though they're four games under .500, the Pistons would be the eighth and final playoff team in the Eastern Conference if the season ended today. Detroit beat the Timberwolves on Friday night thanks to a huge performance from Marcus Morris, who had 36 points while going 12-for-19 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Lavoy Allen
Myles Turner
Reggie Jackson
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Marcus Morris
Jon Leuer
Andre Drummond
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Paul George, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Lavoy Allen, C - Myles Turner
Pistons: PG - Reggie Jackson, SG - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SF - Marcus Morris, PF - Jon Leuer, C - Andre Drummond
Injury Report
Pacers: Rakeem Christmas - out (sore right groin), Rodney Stuckey - out (sprained right ankle), Thaddeus Young - out (sprained left wrist)
Pistons: None
Last Meeting
January 3, 2017: The Pacers held off the Pistons for a 121-116 victory in Detroit. The win was the third straight for Indiana, the first time all season that the Blue & Gold had won three consecutive contests.
Paul George led all scorers with 32 points, going 10-for-17 from the field and 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Jeff Teague added 17 points and eight assists, while Myles Turner had 17 points and seven rebounds.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 22 points. Reggie Jackson (20 points and 12 assists) and Andre Drummond (20 points and 14 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles in the loss.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers hold a narrow 94-90 lead in the all-time series with Detroit and are 59-33 against the Pistons at home.
- Indiana has won eight of its last 10 games against Detroit dating back to the 2012-13 season.
- Pacers center Al Jefferson needs 17 points to reach 14,000 in his career.
- Paul George is two 3-pointers shy of 800 in his career.
- The Pacers are 2-7 on the season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Tickets
The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 4 to host Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »
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.
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
Full Size 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.
Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.