The surging Detroit Pistons look to overtake the Indiana Pacers and jump into the East’s Top 6 when they meet on Thursday.
Detroit is in eighth in the East and just a half-game back of the sixth-place Pacers. The books are taking notice too, placing them as 3-point home favorites.
A key injury looms over this Pacers vs. Pistons prediction, and why my NBA picks are siding with the home team on January 16.
Pacers vs Pistons prediction
My best bet
Pistons moneyline (-140 at bet365)
My analysis
The Detroit Pistons are playing their best ball of the season, ripping off wins in 10 of their last 12. They went into Gotham last time out and beat the Knicks, 124-119.
This is a team that was the NBA’s worst a year ago, winning just 14 games. At 21-19, they will hit the halfway point of this season with a winning record, regardless of what happens against the Indiana Pacers.
Behind an All-Star caliber campaign from budding star Cade Cunningham, the Pistons are putting up 115.8 points per game, shooting 48.5% from the field and a blistering 39.4% from distance.
The Pacers were rolling as well, winning six straight, none more convincing than the 108-93 whipping they put on the East-leading Cavaliers. However, the good times came to an end last game, as Cleveland got its revenge in the rematch.
Notable was the fact that Indiana played the rematch without All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. That ailment has him in danger of missing his second straight game when Indy heads to Motown.
That’s a big part of Indy’s offensive machine. Haliburton is second on the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game, and fourth in the NBA in assists at 8.8 per contest.
The Pacers may also be without wing Aaron Nesmith (ankle), who also missed the last game against Cleveland. Nesmith and Haliburton are both listed as questionable.
Detroit won the last meeting between these teams, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Pacers in a 130-106 blowout. Indiana took the year’s first matchup, with a 115-109 road win.
The Pacers might have won four straight on the road, but Haliburton will still be less than 100%, even if he does make it back into the lineup. That would make Cunningham the best player on the floor.
Throw in the fact Detroit is 5-1 in its last six home games, and 6-2-0 straight-up as a home favorite on the year, and I have the Pistons staying hot.
Pacers vs Pistons same-game parlay
Pistons moneyline
Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
Pascal Siakam Over 1.5 made 3-pointers
Cunningham lit the Knicks up for 32 last game, the fourth time in his last six he’s put up 30+. He’s had to lift his scoring of late as wing Jaden Ivey, the team’s second leading scorer, is out indefinitely with a broken leg.
Cunningham has been around his 25.5-point total set for Thursday in both previous matchups. He went for 28 in the October 23 loss, and missed the Over by a bucket in the November 29 win.
We’ll wrap with Pascal Siakam, who made a pair of 3-pointers in Indiana’s most recent loss to the Cavaliers.
Pascal is shooting the 3-ball at a career-best 41.4% clip this year. With Haliburton ailing, he’ll need to find more ways to pick up buckets, making his 1.5 3-point total a tasty over.
In his last seven games against the Pistons, he’s hit at least two triples in four of them.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Pacers vs Pistons odds
Pacers vs Pistons live odds
Pacers vs Pistons opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +3 | Detroit -3
- Moneyline: Indiana +131 | Detroit -148
- Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pacers vs Pistons spread and Over/Under analysis
- Detroit is 3-0-1 against the spread in its last four overall.
- Five of Indiana’s last six games have gone Under the total.
- The Pistons have cashed the Over in four of the last six.
Pacers vs Pistons trend
These teams have gone Under the total in three of the last four head-to-head meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Pistons.
How to watch Pacers vs Pistons
| Location: | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Date: | Thursday, 1-16-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN |
Pacers vs Pistons latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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