DETROIT — Myles Turner contributed significantly with 20 points, while teammates Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin both netted 19 points each, leading the Indiana Pacers to a comeback victory against the Detroit Pistons with a final score of 115-109 on Wednesday night. This result marked a challenging debut for Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
The game was tightly contested, featuring 13 lead changes and four ties. Detroit initially held a 12-point lead and was in front after the first three quarters, but could not maintain the advantage in the crucial moments of the match.
In a remarkable fourth quarter, the Pacers overcame an eight-point deficit, outscoring the Pistons by 33-19. This marked the beginning of the season for both teams, with the Pacers looking to build on their surprising success from the previous playoff run that took them to the Eastern Conference finals.
Tyrese Haliburton added 15 points to Indiana’s tally, with T.J. McConnell contributing 14 points. The Pacers’ roster retained key players, including All-Star forward Siakam, who recently signed a max contract.
Cade Cunningham was the standout for the Pistons, scoring 28 points, with 22 of those coming in the second half. Detroit’s new veterans showcased their skills, as Tim Hardaway and Malik Beasley each added 14 points, and Tobias Harris chipped in with 13 points during his return to the franchise.
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren were also contributors for the Pistons, racking up 17 points and a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, respectively. Despite their efforts, the Pistons struggled, reflecting on the challenges faced over the past two seasons where they finished with the worst record in the league.
One pivotal moment occurred with 6:31 left in the game when a charge-block call was overturned, negating Harris’s potential three-point play and flipping a two-point lead for the Pistons into a one-point deficit.
Looking at the numbers, Indiana’s defense was notable as they limited the Pistons to just 5-of-20 shooting in the fourth quarter, a stark contrast to the near 50% shooting they maintained in the earlier quarters.
Next on the schedule, the Pacers will continue their road trip as they face off against the New York Knicks on Friday night, while the Pistons will travel to Cleveland on the same evening.
