{"id":542542,"date":"2026-01-17T10:05:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T10:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/542542\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T10:05:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T10:05:23","slug":"full-strength-pistons-represent-huge-challenge-for-improving-pacers-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/542542\/","title":{"rendered":"Full-strength Pistons represent huge challenge for improving Pacers – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons got back to full strength in their latest game. That\u2019s bad news for their Saturday opponent, the visiting Indiana Pacers, who have already lost to the Eastern Conference leaders twice this season.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 108-105 win over the visiting Phoenix Suns.<\/p>\n

Duren powered for 16 points and 18 rebounds after sitting out four contests with an ankle ailment. Harris \u2014 out since Dec. 30 due to a hip strain \u2014 supplied 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive (the Suns) credit for how good they are in style they play, but it\u2019s also difficult to bring as many guys back into a lineup as we tried to bring back,\u201d Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. \u201cLike how many guys were trying to figure it out, catch their own rhythm throughout the first half.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pistons made it tougher on themselves by committing 17 turnovers and missing 14 of 37 free-throw attempts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think those turnovers kind of affected a lot of what we did (Thursday),\u201d guard Jaden Ivey said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s previous best in a five-year career was 22 points.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s worked hard and he\u2019s gotten better. There\u2019s been real growth,\u201d Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said of Huff. \u201cThere\u2019s growth with his connection with his teammates. You can see where the progress has been made. \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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\u2019s rebounding, it\u2019s rim protection and doing winning things for his teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indiana has won four of its past five games after prevailing in just six of its first 37 contests.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chemistry has been better with the starters. Our overall chemistry has improved,\u201d Carlisle said. \u201cOur second unit did some very good things (Friday), particularly in the first half, and we\u2019ve just got to continue to battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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