Pistons at Pacers final score: Detroit plays a complete game to blow out Pacers

The Detroit Pistons looked like a playoff team, outmatching the Indiana Pacers on both ends

The Detroit Pistons took on the Indiana Pacers in their third NBA Cup game after starting 2-0 in group play. Detroit enters tonight as losers in four of its past five games, and Indiana has won its last three. In other words, it was a bounce-back spot for the Pistons as they looked to right the ship. In the end, the Pistons gave fans the perfect Black Friday deal — an easy victory, as they bested the Pacers 130-106. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed a Detroit Lions victory as well!

First Quarter

The return of Cade Cunningham (and Tobias Harris) in the starting lineup started off hot as Cade hit two off-the-dribble threes. His pelvis must no longer be bruised because he was out there sending dudes head first into the court:

AND THE FINGER POINT AFTER?! LOCKED IN.

The Indiana offense forced a Pistons timeout after they were up 16-11 with 7:21 left in the first quarter. Detroit immediately responded as Cade led the bench unit to a 10-0 run. The Pistons continued to pour it on as they outscored Indiana 22-8 in the last six minutes and finished the first quarter with a 33-24 lead behind Cade’s eight points and three assists.

Second Quarter

TJ McConnell, aka The Pistons Destroyer, got a quick eight points as Indiana went on a run to start the second quarter. To me, TJ is one of those guys you’re always annoyed to play against but would gladly welcome him to your own home team. JBB settled Detroit with another helpful timeout as the Pistons responded with back-to-back dunks by Jalen Duren and Ron Holland – both assisted by Cade Cunningham.

The energy Jalen was giving on offense translated to the defensive side of the court as he had two monster blocks on Johnny Furphy and Obi Toppin. Fellow third-year player Jaden Ivey also brought the energy, but on the offensive end, as Ivey did Ivey things through the lane on his way to the rim:

Malik Beasley was hitting threes while also finishing strong at the basket as Indiana’s defense was nowhere to be found. Detroit took a 63-53 halftime lead after winning both puppy points in the first half. It was a team effort out of Detroit with four players in double-figures:

• Beasley: 13 PTS shooting 3-for-5 from deep
• Ivey: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
• THJ: 10 PTS shooting 2-for-4 from deep
• Cade: 10 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST

Third Quarter

Ivey’s hot night continued as he started the third with back-to-back threes. JI is making catch-and-shoot and stepback attempts and continues to develop into the player next to Cade we all hoped he could be. He looks more locked in defensively and is really having a strong start to his third season.

The Pistons extended their lead to 18 after an 8-0 run and back-to-back and-ones from Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren as they were up 82-64 halfway through the third. For a team that won’t make the playoffs (or will they? Editor’s note: they won’t), these NBA Cup games have the environment needed for young teams like Detroit to grow in a playoff-like atmosphere – and not only are they not backing down, they’re showing up ready to hoop.

Ausar Thompson got involved as he hit his second three of the season. Obi Toppin was leaving him WIDE OPEN in the left corner as he missed two previous attempts while Cade worked the pick-and-roll with Isaiah Stewart. I know Ausar needs three-point shooting reps, but I feel strongly that JBB needs to use him as the roll man when he’s paired up with Beef Stew on the court – let Stew shoot, let Ausar roll.

A Cade Cunningham layup with one second left in the quarter gave Detroit their biggest lead of the night at 19 as they led 92-73. Pistons were led by their guard trio again:

• Ivey: 18 PTS and 5 AST
• Beasley: 17 PTS
• Cade: 17 PTS and 9 AST

Fourth Quarter

So Detroit has almost a 20-point lead going into the fourth? What could go wrong?!

Well, Detroit had four turnovers in the first five minutes, so the fourth quarter started exactly as you would’ve predicted. Cade had a quick seven points but also had two turnovers on back-to-back possessions – they continue to be those loose-handle turnovers Cunningham needs to improve on. Indiana capitalized on those turnovers as they closed the lead to 12, while Detroit led 102-90 with 7:22 left.

Indiana was playing their best ball in the fourth, but Detroit was able to match their play. They had an answer to everything the Pacers could send their way. A Jaden Ivey three assisted by Cade Cunningham sent Indiana fans home early as Detroit was up 22 with two and a half minutes left.

If there’s one weird thing about these NBA Cup games, it’s how teams treat the point differential. Pistons were up 25 points with less than a minute left and were full-court pressing to force turnovers – that’s sicko behavior! (yes… ha ha ha… YES)

Detroit defeated the Pacers 130-106 and now move to 3-0 in group play. It was, without a doubt, their most complete game of the season. It was a true team effort on both sides of the ball and they look like a completely different team than last year. As Johnny Kane interviewed Cade post-game, Malik Beasley came up to give him some love, and you can see how much of a difference these vets are making on this team’s culture – there’s a lot to be excited about this season, Pistons fans!

Beasley led the way with 30 points on 14 (!) shots. Cade Cunningham had 24 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists, while his backcourt partner Jaden Ivey had 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Tobias had a quietly efficient 16 points on eight shots and Jalen Duren had a LOUD four blocks to go along with his 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The 9-12 Pistons will travel back home tonight as they will play the 3-14 Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow night at Little Caesars Arena.