The Indiana Pacers stretched their unbeaten run to two games with a resounding 117-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Six players scored in double-figures for the Pacers who moved a half-game clear of the New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers will look to extend their winning streak to a season-best three games when they lock horns with the Detroit Pistons tonight. For the Pacers to accomplish that feat, they will need to get another huge performance from Myles Turner. He recorded his fifth double-double of the season in the win against Orlando, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 boards. Turner has now scored in double-figures in his last 14 games. He is clearly staking his claim as one of the league’s top centers, averaging 15.5 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game this season.
The Pacers will fancy their chances of grabbing the victory tonight as they have fared extremely well against the Pistons of late. The Pacers have won six of their last seven meetings with the Pistons. Indiana thrashed Boston, 105-90, in their first meeting this season. Paul George scored a game-high 26 points for the Pacers who held the Pistons to just 38 percent shooting in that contest.
The Pacers are 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven road games.
The Detroit Pistons will head to their clash with the Indiana Pacers with momentum on their side after beating the Miami Heat, 107-98, on Sunday night. It was a morale-boosting victory for the Pistons who had lost seven of their last eight games. They are still languishing at the bottom of the Central Division standings with an abysmal 16-20 record.
Good fortune was smiling on the Pistons on Sunday as they faced a Miami side that was missing five of its rotation players. Andre Drummond took advantage of the absence of Miami center Hassan Whiteside, recording 25 points, 18 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Detroit head coach Stan Van Gundy will hope that that performance will help kick start Drummond’s flagging season. He had not reached the 20-point mark in Detroit’s previous 10 games.
Another guy who needs to step up for the Pistons tonight is Reggie Jackson. He is gradually returning to form after missing the first 21 games with a knee injury. Jackson exploded for a season-high 27 points in the win against Miami. It’s quite concerning, though, for the Pistons that they haven’t won back-to-back games since Jackson returned to their lineup.
The Pistons are 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS in their last eight home games.
