Detroit Pistons look to continue hot stretch against Indiana Pacers
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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have become the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) best feel-good story of the season.
They will reach the midway point of the campaign with a winning record, regardless of how they fare in a home game against the Indiana Pacers on Jan 16 (Jan 17, Singapore time).
The Pistons have won 10 of their last 12 games to push their record to 21-19. They were the league’s worst team last season, winning just 14 games.
Their latest victory was one of their most impressive, defeating the Knicks 124-119 in New York for the second time this season on Jan 13. Detroit held a slim lead for much of the second half and clinched the victory on two Malik Beasley three-pointers in the last 39 seconds.
On both plays, the Knicks’ defence collapsed on Cade Cunningham, leading to a hockey-style assist. He passed the ball to Tim Hardaway Jr, who then forwarded the ball to an open Beasley.
It was a prime example of the Pistons’ improved execution and poise during the hot streak.
“To me, the most impressive thing is Cade trusted Tim, because they were trapping Cade,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
“He made the play to Tim, and then Tim trusted (Beasley). That’s the heartbeat of great teams and good teams. The trust to make the right play at the end of the game and not feel like you have to be the guy. Lesson learnt for us. We keep putting those together and every night, we’re a hard out.”
Even though the Knicks heavily guarded Cunningham, the All-Star candidate found ways to score. He finished with 36 points, the fourth time in the last six games he has racked up more than 30 points.
Indiana, meanwhile, showed over the past two games that they can hold their own against the top team in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers ended the Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak with a 108-93 victory in Cleveland on Jan 12.
In the rematch at Indianapolis, the Cavaliers got a measure of revenge with a 127-117 triumph on Jan 14. That snapped the Pacers’ six-game winning streak.
However, Indiana did not have star guard Tyrese Haliburton available. He was sidelined with what coach Rick Carlisle described as a mild groin strain.
“It’s clear that we need Tyrese back healthy,” Carlisle said. “He’s one of the best players in the world.”
Haliburton, who is averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 assists, had started Indiana’s first 40 games. It is uncertain when he will be back in action.
“It’s one game without Ty so everyone’s got to step up from top to bottom,” forward Pascal Siakam said.
“Obviously we know what Ty can do, what he brings to our team, being a facilitator, being someone who brings energy to the floor. We just have to figure out how to play (with him out).”
Indiana and Detroit split their first two meetings.
The Pacers outscored the Pistons 66-51 in the second half of a 115-109 opening-night victory in October. Detroit shot 57.8 per cent in the second meeting en route to a 130-106 win on Nov 29. REUTERS
