The Detroit Pistons (8-46) visit the Indiana Pacers (31-25) in the first game after the All-Star break. These two division rivals have met twice already this season, with the Pacers coming out victorious in each matchup. Indiana is trying to hold onto their sixth spot in the Eastern Conference and stay out of the play-in tournament.
For the Pistons, the last third of the season is about figuring out where to go for next year. It is a time to evaluate players and see which lineups work and which ones don’t. It can also be fun to play spoiler, especially against division rivals.
The Indiana Pacers are heavy favorites, but do the oddsmakers think the week off will give the Detroit Pistons a chance?
Detroit Pistons Vs. Indiana Pacers: Betting Odds and Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Detroit Pistons | +11.5 -112 |
O 247.5 -108 |
+470 |
| Indiana Pacers | -11.5 -108 |
U 247.5 -112 |
-650 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Fixture: Detroit Pistons @ Indiana Pacers
Date And Time: February 22, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN
Key Stats
Detroit Pistons (Averages)
Points: 112.9
Points Allowed: 122.0
Field Goal Efficiency: 42.2/89.6 for 47.2%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 11.2/31.1 for 36.0%
Free Throw Efficiency: 17.2/22.1 for 77.8%
Rebounds: 11.3 Offensive, 32.4 Defensive, 43.7 Combined
Assists: 26.5
Steals: 6.0
Blocks: 4.9
Turnovers: 15.5
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 44.1/89.4 for 49.4%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 11.9/31.6 for 37.8%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 21.6/26.7 for 81.6%
Rebounds Against: 9.5 Offensive, 33.0 Defensive, 42.5 Combined
The Detroit Pistons are bad on both ends of the floor. Giving up ten more points than you score is not a recipe for winning. In the past ten games, they have been a little better. They have gone 3-7 and scored 114.7 points per game while giving up 119.2 points per game. Both of those are better than the season average. Jaden Ivey has improved greatly over the past few weeks and is averaging 2.7 made three-pointers in the last ten contests.
While they have dealt with some injuries this season, the Detroit Pistons are relatively healthy now. Quentin Grimes is day-to-day with a knee injury, and Isaiah Stewart is out with an ankle injury. This team has the challenge of stopping the best offense in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana Pacers (Averages)
Points: 123.7
Points Allowed: 122.3
Field Goal Efficiency: 46.6/92.2 for 50.8%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 13.6/35.8 for 38.1%
Free Throw Efficiency: 16.4/21.2 for 82.8%
Rebounds: 10.0 Offensive, 30.6 Defensive, 40.6 Combined
Assists: 30.9
Steals: 7.8
Blocks: 5.8
Turnovers: 13.4
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 45.2/89.9 for 50.3%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 10.8/29.1 for 37.2%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 21.2/26.6 for 79.3%
Rebounds Against: 11.0 Offensive, 32.1 Defensive, 43.1 Combined
The Indiana Pacers have one of the best offenses in the league. However, their defense is worse than the Detroit Pistons from a numbers standpoint. Allowing your opponents to shoot 50% from the field puts a lot of pressure on Tyrese Haliburton and the offense. The Pacers are 5-5 in their last ten games. Pascal Siakam is looking more comfortable and has averaged 21.2 points during the ten-game stretch.
There are quite a few Indiana Pacers dealing with nagging injuries. Myles Turner, Jalen Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Neismith, and James Johnson are all listed as day-to-day with various injuries. The Pacers can’t sleep on this team despite them only having eight wins.
Game Prediction
This game is going to be a shootout. The Detroit Pistons have been playing better offense as of late. Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are good scorers. We know what the Indiana Pacers can do on the offensive end. I would hammer a lot of overs on this one, whether it is points or player props. The spread is very high for a team that cannot play defense. While their first meeting saw the Pacers winning by 23, the last meeting in December was only an eight-point margin. With the improved play of the Detroit Pistons, I see them keeping it close.
Final Pick
Detroit Pistons +11.5 and Over 247.5
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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