Turner, Siakam, and Mathurin Power Pacers’ Fourth-Quarter Rally

In a pulsating showdown that marked the start of the NBA season, the Indiana Pacers clawed their way back from an eight-point deficit in the final quarter for a thrilling 115-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Wednesday night match also marked the coaching debut of J.B. Bickerstaff for Detroit, a debut that ultimately ended in disappointment despite a spirited performance from his team.

Myles Turner Shines with Stellar Performance

Myles Turner led the Pacers’ charge with a solid 20-point performance, while Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin supported him strongly with 19 points each. Despite trailing by 12 points at one stage and being behind after each of the first three quarters, the Pacers showed great character to flip the script in the final quarter. The game was a tightly contested affair featuring 13 lead changes and four ties.

Pacers’ Fourth Quarter Surge

The Pacers outscored the Pistons 33-19 in the fourth quarter to turn the tide in what had been a balanced contest. Additional support came from Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell, who contributed 15 and 14 points respectively. The team’s resilience was on full display as they rallied to take the season opener, a promising start following their unexpected journey to the Eastern Conference finals last year.

Pistons’ Key Players Deliver Despite Loss

Cade Cunningham of the Pistons was at his best, scoring 22 of his 28 points in the second half. The team’s latest veteran additions also made notable contributions. Tim Hardaway and Malik Beasley chipped in with 14 points each, and Tobias Harris added 13 points in his first game back with the Pistons. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren also impressed with 17 and 13 points respectively, the latter also securing 13 rebounds.

Turning Point in the Game

A critical moment in the game came when a charge-block call against Harris was overturned with 6:31 left on the clock. What could have been a three-point play and a two-point lead for the Pistons was instead transformed into a one-point deficit.

Pacers’ Stifling Defense

The Pacers’ defense was pivotal as they held the Pistons to just 5 of 20 shooting in the fourth quarter, a stark contrast to Detroit’s near 50% shooting rate over the first three quarters.

What’s Next?

Next on the schedule, the Pacers will continue their road trip with a game against the New York Knicks this Friday night. Meanwhile, the Pistons will be looking to bounce back in their match against Cleveland, also set for Friday night.