Full-strength Pistons represent huge challenge for improving Pacers
The Detroit Pistons got back to full strength in their latest game. That's bad news for their Saturday opponent, the visiting Indiana Pacers, who have already lost to the Eastern Conference leaders twice this season.
In the midst of a six-game homestand, the Pistons were able to go with the usual lineup on Thursday as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris returned from injury. Their top frontcourt reserve, defensive stalwart Isaiah Stewart, also was back in action after recovering from an illness.
Cunningham struggled after missing two games due to a wrist contusion, shooting 3-for-16 from the field while scoring a season-low 10 points. He did contribute 11 assists in Detroit's 108-105 win over the visiting Phoenix Suns.
Duren powered for 16 points and 18 rebounds after sitting out four contests with an ankle ailment. Harris -- out since Dec. 30 due to a hip strain -- supplied 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
"Give (the Suns) credit for how good they are in style they play, but it's also difficult to bring as many guys back into a lineup as we tried to bring back," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Like how many guys were trying to figure it out, catch their own rhythm throughout the first half.
"But again, give our guys a ton of credit for sticking with it like they always do. Lifting each other up, supporting each other, everybody taking advantage of their minutes. So again, give our guys a ton of credit for just figuring it out."
The Pistons made it tougher on themselves by committing 17 turnovers and missing 14 of 37 free-throw attempts.
"I think those turnovers kind of affected a lot of what we did (Thursday)," guard Jaden Ivey said. "It's something we kind of cleaned up in the second half. We could have been better in that aspect, but overall, we stuck through it, even late in the game. Obviously, we had some mistakes, errors, but we were able to finish the game, which is most important."
The Pistons head into their third of four games against Indiana leading the Eastern Conference by 4 1/2 games. Duren is averaging 24 points and 13.5 rebounds vs. the Pacers this season.
The Pacers collected just their 10th win of the season on Friday, led by an unlikely source. Big man Jay Huff scored a career-high 29 points in a 127-119 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Huff's previous best in a five-year career was 22 points.
"He's worked hard and he's gotten better. There's been real growth," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said of Huff. "There's growth with his connection with his teammates. You can see where the progress has been made. ...
"I know he had the career-high points and all that, but people have got to quit focusing on reverse dunks and focus on what real productivity is. That's rebounding, it's rim protection and doing winning things for his teammates."
Indiana has won four of its past five games after prevailing in just six of its first 37 contests.
"The chemistry has been better with the starters. Our overall chemistry has improved," Carlisle said. "Our second unit did some very good things (Friday), particularly in the first half, and we've just got to continue to battle."