INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Pistons, for the most part, were in control for 48 minutes as they tied their franchise-best winning streak.
The Pistons (15-2) defeated the Indiana Pacers 122-117 on Monday, Nov. 24, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to clinch their 13th consecutive win — tying a mark they reached previously in 2003-04 and 1989-90, both seasons that ended with NBA championships.
The Pacers (2-15) cut the Pistons’ fourth quarter, 18-point lead to 117-115 with 48.9 seconds left with a pair of free throws from Pascal Siakam.
Cade Cunningham (24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists) made it a two-possession game with a jump hook. A layup from Andrew Nembhard cut it to two once again with 15 seconds left before a split trip at the line by Cunningham.
Bennedict Mathurin missed an open corner 3-point attempt that would’ve tied the game with 11 seconds left, and two free throws from Caris LeVert (19 points) sealed the Pistons’ win.
Jalen Duren added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey scored 12 points (5-for-10 shooting, 2-for-3 on 3s) in 11 minutes in his second game.
The Pistons led the entire second half and shot 50% for the game (42-for-84).
The Pistons own a 2½-game lead over the Toronto Raptors (13-5) in the Eastern Conference standings. Only defending champion Oklahoma City (17-1) has a better record.
The Pistons visit the Boston Celtics (9-8) on Wednesday (5 p.m., ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network Detroit) in an NBA Cup game, then host the Orlando Magic on Friday to conclude NBA Cup group stage.
Jaden Ivey thrives with, and without, Cade Cunningham
After playing 15 minutes during his season debut in Milwaukee on Saturday, Ivey played 11 against the Pacers. The Pistons are easing him in after missing nearly a year of regular-season action. But even in limited minutes, we’ve gotten an idea of the role the coaching staff wants Ivey to perform as both a primary and secondary ball-handler.
Ivey and Cunningham were staggered in the first half, and one of them was on the floor for all 24 minutes. Ivey first checked in for Cunningham with 4:39 on the clock in the opening quarter and got active immediately with seven quick points.
He came off of a screen and got downhill for a layup for his first bucket, and knocked down a deep 3-pointer to give them a 33-32 edge to answer a 22-10 Pacers run. Then, Ivey got a fastbreak dunk following an impressive block at the rim by Daniss Jenkins.
Cunningham replaced Ivey to open the second quarter, and Ivey briefly supplanted him with 6:57 to play until halftime before Cunningham came back in for him at the 4:18 mark to close the half.
The guard duo shared the floor together for the first time Monday when Ivey checked in with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter. Ivey proceeded to lead a 12-4 Pistons run to close the quarter, extending their lead to 101-88 after the Pacers crept within five. He pushed the pace and created an open 3 for LeVert to push it back to eight, collapsing the defense and kicking out to Ron Holland, who found LeVert in the corner.
Ivey proceeded to convert a tough left-handed layup through Pacers big man Jay Huff, attacked and missed a layup that led to a putback dunk for Isaiah Stewart, and then knocked down a stepback 3. He didn’t play in the fourth, but the stretch lifted the Pistons’ offense as the Pacers threatened to take the lead.
J.B. Bickerstaff sticks with large Pistons rotation
After going 13-deep into his rotation during in Milwaukee, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he planned to stick with a deep lineup. His logic? The team has been winning, and all of their active players have contributed to the streak.
He stuck to his word, going 11-deep on Monday with third center Paul Reed and rookie Chaz Lanier flexed out of the group that appeared against the Bucks.
Jenkins’ role has been reduced with Ivey’s return, though, and the two-way guard played just seven minutes and 37 seconds.
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