Last Updated: April 3 at 10:15 AM ET
Matchup
Just four games remain in the Pacers' season, with each one taking on increasing importance as Indiana remains locked in a battle with Boston for the fourth seed.
The fight for four continues on the road in Detroit on Wednesday, where the Pacers will complete the second game of a home-and-home series with the Pistons (39-38). Monday's matchup went Indiana's way, as the Pacers won 111-102 despite injuries that kept starters Darren Collison and Wesley Matthews out of the lineup.
Even without the two guards, Indiana (46-32) managed to get a balanced scoring effort, with seven Pacers reaching double-figures as the Blue & Gold pulled away from the Pistons — who were playing without All-Star Blake Griffin (knee) — in the fourth quarter.
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A victory for the Pacers on Wednesday would set up an epic clash with Boston on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The teams currently have identical records with the Celtics leading the seasons series 2-1. The winner of Friday's nationally-televised tilt will have a tremendous edge in the race for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Pacers can't afford to get ahead of themselves, however, with Detroit remaining in must-win mode as it fights to keep hold of its spot in the postseason.
Down Blake Griffin and Luke Kennard, Detroit still made the game a fight until the very end, getting a huge night from shooting guard Wayne Ellington, who finished with a game-high 26 points.
Detroit also got a lift from the NBA's leading rebounder Andre Drummond, who filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Despite the big nights, the Pacers were able to turn the tide on what had been an rough stretch of games. Indiana entered Monday's game having lost three in a row and seven of its last eight games.
"It's a new month now," said Myles Turner after Monday's win. "I think guys are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the playoffs coming. I think we're all locked in and we're engaged with an important couple of games here to determine where we'll be playing come playoff time."
Projected Starters
Cory Joseph
Tyreke Evans
Bojan Bogdanovic
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Reggie Jackson
Wayne Ellington
Bruce Brown
Thon Maker
Andre Drummond
Pacers: PG - Cory Joseph, SG - Tyreke Evans, SF - Bojan Bogdanovic, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Pistons: PG - Reggie Jackson, SG - Wayne Ellington, SF - Bruce Brown, PF - Thon Maker, C - Andre Drummond
Injury Report
Pacers: Darren Collison - out (sore groin), Alize Johnson - probable (sore left foot), Wesley Matthews - out (right hamstring strain), Victor Oladipo - out (right knee surgery)
Pistons: Blake Griffin - questionable (left knee soreness), Luke Kennard - doubtful (right foot soreness)
Last Meeting
April 1, 2019: Down two starters, the Pacers rallied together on Monday night and picked up a much-needed win. Seven Pacers scored in double figures as Indiana handled the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 111-102.
Despite losing three in a row and seven of their last eight, the Pacers banded together against a shorthanded Detroit team, as seven Pacers finished the night with double-digit scoring totals.
"It's good to talk about a win," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan joked at his postgame press conference.
Thad Young had 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, and five assists. Myles Turner tallied 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting, six boards, five blocks, and three steals. And Bojan Bogdanovic added 19 points, seven rebounds, and a season-high six assists.
Detroit guard Wayne Ellington led all scorers with 26 points in the loss. Reggie Jackson added 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Andre Drummond finished with 18 points, 17 boards, five assists, and four steals for the Pistons.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers lead the all-time series 99-94 and Indiana leads the season series 2-1.
- Pistons forward Glenn Robinson III played for the Pacers for three seasons (2016-2018).
- The Pacers had seven players score in double figures in Monday's win over the Pistons.
Tickets
Following their game in Detroit, the Pacers get another crack at their likely first-round opponent when Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, April 5 at 8:00 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: 107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)