The Detroit Pistons are on a remarkable journey, vying to make history that echoes the achievements of past champions. As they prepare to face the Indiana Pacers tonight, the Pistons are currently on a 12-game winning streak. Remarkably, only two teams in the franchise history have achieved a consecutive run of 12 or more victories in a season, and both of those teams went on to clinch NBA Championships.
The 2003-04 Pistons, known for their “Going to Work” mentality, managed to secure 13 consecutive wins between December 27, 2003, and April 1, 2004, shortly before they captured their only NBA title. The legendary 1989-90 squad also showcased their prowess with two winning streaks of 12 and 13 during that season, culminating in back-to-back championships. To put it into perspective, the 1989 Pistons had a nine-game winning streak during their title run, winning a remarkable 16 of 17 games.
As the Pistons gear up for tonight’s contest, there’s an interesting twist. This marks the two-year anniversary of their 13th consecutive loss against the same Pacers, which was part of a staggering franchise record of 28 consecutive defeats.
The game details are as follows:
– When: 7 p.m. ET
– Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
– Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
– Odds: Pistons -10.5
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers are grappling with a tumultuous season, heavily impacted by injuries hindering their once-potent offense. Currently, their record sits at 2-14, with nine of their last ten games resulting in losses. Offensively, they are struggling to generate points, positioned as the league’s worst at just 106.2 points per 100 possessions, with their defense not faring much better, ranking 27th overall.
However, one silver lining for the Pacers is their ability to draw fouls, a skill that has been bolstered by the return of Bennedict Mathurin to the lineup. The Pistons have been known to commit fouls at a high rate, creating a unique dynamic as both teams may find themselves at the free-throw line more often than usual.
One player to watch for the Pistons is Jalen Duren, who could take advantage of Indiana’s struggles in the paint. With the Pacers’ center rotation of Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Tony Bradley, they concede the most defensive rebounds and rank low in points allowed in the paint. This could present Duren with ample opportunities to shine.
The projected lineups for tonight’s game are as follows:
Detroit Pistons (14-2): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Indiana Pacers (2-14): Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, Pascal Siakam, Isaiah Jackson
As the Pistons aim for a 13th consecutive win, the stakes are high, but their recent performance sheds light on a team that could very well be on the brink of greatness. With the history of success in their sights, the matchup against the struggling Pacers offers an opportunity that the Pistons will likely seize upon.