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The Indiana Pacers look to improve their Fieldhouse record to 12-0 against the Detroit Pistons. The Pacers won the first meeting between the two teams earlier in the season, 99-91 at the Palace.
The Pacers dominated the first and third quarters (stop me if you've heard that one before) at Auburn Hills which was enough to hold off Detroit the first time around. The Pistons still have an active front court with plenty of size to matchup with the Pacers. Veteran know-how remains and advantage for Roy Hibbert and David West, but the Pacers front-court duo will have to avoid foul trouble and use the aggressive tenancies of youth against Drummond, as well as Monroe.
Josh Smith has always been a tough cover for Paul George just because of his physical size. JSmoove score 31 points in Detroit's OT loss to Portland on Sunday night, so which Josh Smith shows up tonight will surely impact the outcome of the game. In the first game, Smith scored took 16 shots to score 16 points, making just two of seven perimeter attempts.
Like Charlotte on Friday, the Pistons are in the mix for a quality playoff spot in the mangled Eastern Conference. They also beat the Heat in Miami recently, so their level of play is improving as the veteran free agents and young players try to figure things out under new head coach Maurice Cheeks.
For more on the Pistons, check out Detroit Bad Boys. Also, please add your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.