The Indiana Pacers (1-12) and Detroit Pistons (11-2) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The game will broadcast live on FDSIN.
The Pistons are 10.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Pistons -10.5), with the over/under set at 231 total points. The Pistons are -500 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Pacers are +390 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pacers vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Monday, November 17.
My Pacers vs Pistons Prediction
- Pacers vs Pistons pick: Jalen Duren Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
My Pacers vs Pistons best bet is on Jalen Duren Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pacers vs Pistons Odds
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 231 -110o / -110u | +390 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 231 -110o / -110u | -500 |
Pacers vs Pistons NBA Preview
If you ever wanted to teach your kids the importance of the dash, show them the Pistons' 11-2 and the Pacers' 1-12 records and pull up their Basketball-Reference pages to highlight how far from similar they really are.
The Pacers hoped to be more competitive this year despite not having Tyrese Haliburton due to an Achilles injury.
But immediately, Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell went down in October, and things have since snowballed to the point where Indiana has needed multiple hardship exceptions to field a roster less than one month into the season.
Meanwhile, Detroit is the toast of the Eastern Conference, and injuries be damned, Javonte Green (!!) led them to a win over the 76ers the last time we saw them on Friday.
The Pistons, by the way, have won nine straight, while the Pacers have dropped seven in a row.
On the injury front, Indiana — which has had the longest injury report in the league — will be without Toppin (foot), Aaron Nesmith (knee), Johnny Furphy (ankle), Kameron Jones (back), Quenton Jackson (hamstring) and the aforementioned Haliburton (Achilles).
Bennedict Mathurin, who has played only two games this season, has been upgraded to questionable (toe).
Detroit will be without Tobias Harris (ankle), Jaden Ivey (knee), Marcus Sasser (hip) and Bobi Klintman (ankle).
Jalen Duren, who sat out two straight last week, is probable (ankle). Cade Cunningham, who missed Friday's win, is questionable (hip), as is Ausar Thompson (ankle).
Pacers vs Pistons Prediction, Betting Analysis
Despite the tear Detroit is on, the Pistons haven't played as much garbage time as you'd think, even as a team that's 9-4 against the spread.
Only four of their wins have come by 11 or more points, which shows they can cover the 11.5, but also that they haven't been clearing the bench early in many of these victories.
Indiana is 5-8 ATS, not nearly as bad as you'd expect for a 1-12 team, and getting Mathurin back should help them compete offensively.
Still, barring foul trouble or any late injury changes, this projects as a strong Duren spot.
I like him over 31.5 points + rebounds.
He has gone over this number in seven of 11 games, and in six of the last seven heading into tonight.
He has played at least 30 minutes in five straight games, and 34 or more in four of those.
In double-digit wins over the Magic, Mavs, Nets and Jazz, he logged 33, 29, 34 and 30 minutes, respectively, and cleared this line in each matchup.
The Pacers allow the third-most rebounds per 100 possessions and the fifth-most points in the paint.
Pick: Jalen Duren Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
My Pistons vs Pacers betting prediction is on Jalen Duren Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds.
