From 68 losses to 60 wins in two years. That is what is on the line tonight for the Detroit Pistons in their regular-season finale against the Indiana Pacers. Detroit could become just the third team in franchise history to reach 60 wins, and one of just three this season, joining the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Standing in their way, hypothetically, will be the Indiana Pacers. But not the actual Indiana Pacers. The JV Indiana Pacers. You see, the Pacers have zero interest in winning this meaningless game that will formally conclude their gap year without injured star Tyrese Haliburton. A win puts them in a tie with the Brooklyn Nets, with a coin flip deciding both teams’ fates in the all-important NBA Draft Lottery. The Pacers are going to be sure it doesn’t come to that.
The following players will not be suiting up for the Pacers tonight:
The projected opening lineup for the Pacers has started 67 total games. In their careers. That is fewer games than Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson have started this season. It’s also fewer than Jalen Duren has started this season, but Detroit’s big man is taking this game off to rest.
When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (RIP)
Odds: Pistons -14
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Paul Reed
Quentin Jackson, Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson, Kobe Brown, Micah Potter