INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Pistons showcased a strong performance on Friday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers with a score of 130-106, marking an impressive return for Cade Cunningham. After missing three games due to injury, Cunningham made a notable comeback, scoring 24 points and securing 11 rebounds. Jaden Ivey also contributed significantly, adding 23 points to the scoreboard, while Malik Beasley chipped in with 22 points, helping the Pistons edge closer to the top of the East Group B standings alongside Milwaukee, now at 3-0 in NBA Cup play.
Cunningham was instrumental in Detroit’s success, particularly from beyond the arc, where he drained four of the team’s 18 three-pointers. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 21 points, but Indiana’s struggles continued, as they now sit at 0-3 in the NBA Cup, knocking them out of contention for the knockout round. Tyrese Haliburton also contributed for the Pacers, scoring 19 points and providing five assists.
The Pistons established a solid lead going into halftime, holding a 10-point advantage, and pushed ahead to a commanding 22-point lead early in the fourth quarter. This game marked a turning point for Detroit, which had recently lost four out of five games, showcasing a renewed energy with Cunningham back on the court. The talented point guard has now maintained a streak of eight consecutive games scoring over 20 points against Indiana, leading the Pistons to a 9-12 overall record, including a 5-7 record on the road.
For the Pacers, who were previously on a hot streak at home, this game played out differently. In their past three home games, Indiana had been able to rally back from significant deficits, but they could not keep pace this time. Their inability to connect on enough three-pointers, combined with defensive issues, particularly seen during away games, led to disappointment for the team. The Eastern Conference finalists from the previous season are now struggling with a 9-11 overall record.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Ivey hit consecutive three-pointers, sparking a 22-11 run that allowed the Pistons to establish an 85-64 lead late in the third quarter. In terms of shooting efficiency, the Pistons recorded their best performance of the season, hitting 57.8% of their shots (48 of 83 total), including an impressive 47.4% from three-point range (18 of 38).
Looking ahead, the Pistons are set to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, while the Pacers will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.