Isaiah Jackson
(NBAE/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Pacers vs Pistons

Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Pacers vs Pistons
Game Preview

After another frantic comeback came up just short on Friday, the Pacers (0-2) will try to play from in front for the first time this season when they host the Pistons (1-1) on the second night of a back-to-back.

For the second straight game, Indiana surrendered 36 points in the first quarter in their 137-134 loss to San Antonio. The Pacers faced a double-digit deficit through most of the night, trailing by as many as 21 before mounting a late charge thanks to an aggressive pressing defense.

The Blue & Gold forced 10 turnovers in the final frame and scored a franchise-record 49 points in the frame. They had a look to tie the game at the buzzer, but Bennedict Mathurin's contested three came up short.

The Pistons come into town now with their celebrated young backcourt. Detroit drafted former Purdue star Jaden Ivey with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, pairing him with 2021 top pick Cade Cunningham.

Ivey has gotten off to a solid start to his career, averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists over his first two NBA games. Cunningham has added 16.5 points and 8.5 assists per game to open the season.

Projected Starters

Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Chris Duarte, F - Buddy Hield, F - Terry Taylor, C - Jalen Smith

Pistons: G - Cade Cunningham, G - Jaden Ivey, F - Saddiq Bey, F - Bojan Bogdanovic, C - Isaiah Stewart

Injury Report

Pacers: Aaron Nesmith - questionable (sore left foot), Jalen Smith - questionable (sore right knee), Daniel Theis - out (sore right knee), Myles Turner - out (sprained left ankle)

Pistons: Marvin Bagley III - out (sprained right knee), Alec Burks - out (left navicular fracture), Isaiah Livers - out (sore right hip)

Last Meeting

April 3, 2022: Saddiq Bey scored 31 points and went 7-for-9 from 3-point range to lead Detroit to a 121-117 win over Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pistons went 21-for-41 as a team from beyond the arc in the victory.

Tyrese Haliburton had a monster double-double for the Pacers in the loss, tallying 19 points and 17 assists in the victory. Oshae Brissett had a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Frank Jackson added 19 points for Detroit in the victory.

Noteworthy
  • The Pistons won three of four games against Indiana last season.
  • Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic spent two seasons with the Pacers from 2017-19.
  • Detroit guard Cory Joseph also was a Pacer from 2017-19.
Tickets

The Pacers wrap up a three-game homestand by welcoming Jaden Ivey and the Detroit Pistons to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>

Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)

TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)