Pistons, Pacers Trending Toward Another Low-Scoring Game

When will Blake Griffin make his regular-season debut? That remains unclear – but his return would undoubtedly go a long way in helping the Detroit Pistons end their early-season road woes as they visit the Indiana Pacers. Detroit has won just one of its first four games away from Little Sportsbook Arena, though that lone victory came against the team it faces Friday night.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Pacers opened as a 6.5-point favorite. They were favored in each of the first two meetings this season, by 7.5 points in a 119-110 loss on October 23 and by 2 points in a 98-94 setback five days later.

Detroit News & Notes

While Griffin isn’t the only injured player the Pistons have had to do without (guards Reggie Jackson, Tim Frazier and Derrick Rose are also sidelined), he’s definitely the most significant. Griffin, who averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season, was re-evaluated by the team Wednesday but there remains no timetable for his return to action.

But even with Griffin not active for this one, Detroit already has a good idea of how to handle the Pacers, having beaten them twice already this season. Pistons superstar center Andre Drummond was the difference-maker in both games, averaging 25 points and 20.5 rebounds while shooting a combined 60.6 percent from the field in those victories.

Indiana News & Notes

The Pacers have had their share of injury absences to deal with, with three-fifths of their starting lineup (Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb) having missed multiple games to date. And with Indiana relying heavily on its starting five – each player averages at least 14.8 points and 31.5 minutes per game – those injuries have proven costly.

Fortunately for Indiana, point guard Malcolm Brogdon hasn’t missed a game – and he is making a strong early case for Most Improved Player. The former Milwaukee Bucks guard has made the most of his opportunity as the leader of the Indiana offense, averaging career bests in points (22.3) and assists (9.9) while connecting on 97.7 percent of his free throws to date.

Betting Pick: UNDER

The teams lit it up in their season opener but played a more conservative game in their second meeting. With both sides still dealing with key injuries and their pace ratings sitting in the lower third league-wide, the UNDER is a solid play here.