13th win in a row!

The Pistons continue to roll in the Eastern Conference. in Indianapolis, Detroit more or less mastered his subject for 48 minutes to record his 13th straight victory (122-117), tying the franchise record already accomplished in 1989-90 and 2003-04, two seasons that ended with … an NBA title.

Despite Indiana’s late comeback, coming back from -18 to -2 in the final minute, Cade Cunningham (24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) provided the late game while Caris LeVert sealed the deal at the line. The Pacers tied the game, but Benedict Maturin missed a 3-pointer in the corner with 11 seconds left.

Before that, the Pistons took the lead from the start thanks to the activity of Auzar Thompson, present in both dunk and defense. The result: already 20-10 for the Pistons after six minutes. The Pacers are back in the match thanks to TJ McConnell and Jay Huff, and they even equalized at the beginning of the second quarter thanks to a three-pointer by Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (43-43).

The teams are going blow-by-blow, looking for a knockout, and it’s Indiana that will be firing. Ausar Thompson steals the ball from Pascal Siakam and goes for a dunk, then Caris LeVert makes a 3-pointer. And here are the Pistons at +10 (55-45) in three minutes. To make matters worse, Pascal Siakam commits a Flagrant 1 foul, and Tobias Harris is penalized with three free throws. The Pistons ran away to take a 16-point lead (71-55) into the break with great skill: 59% shooting, including 50% from 3-point range.

Maturin misses the tie by 3 points

Returning from the locker room, the Pistons are happy with their lead. Jalen Duren dunks or Cunningham at mid-range respond to every close-up attempt by the Pacers, Maturin or Siakam (84-68). As in the second quarter, Robinson-Earl gets a nice boost, and this time Jaden Ivey comes out of his box and maintains a 13-point lead before the final quarter (101-88).

Ausar Thompson gives the Pistons (106-88) some breathing room and we think the deal is done. Except the Pacers will let loose with TJ McConnell in the defensive cutter role and Jaires Walker in the sniper role. Four minutes from the end, the difference is only eight points (115-107), and three minutes later Isaiah Jackson brings the Pacers back to two points (117-115).

Cade Cunningham cools the room with a hard hook shot, then misses a free throw. Result, Pacers have the ball to tie the game. On the throw, Rick Carlisle pulls off an NFL-worthy system, and it allows Benedikt Mathurin to find himself almost in the corner. His 3-point shot, on the move, hits the rim. There are eight seconds left, and it is LeVert who confirms the victory of the Pistons on free throws (122-117).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The way to the title? The history of the Pistons is rich with titles, and in 1990 and 2004, the partners of Ise Thomas, then Chauncey Billups, won the title after winning 13 games in a row in the regular part of the season. A win in Boston on Wednesday night will be necessary to break that 13-game winning streak.

– Ivey Spark. The second game, and another convincing outing for Jaden Ivey with 12 points in 12 minutes, which JB Bickerstaff uses more as a leader, in relay for Cade Cunningham. Ivey entered with five minutes left in the first quarter and immediately scored 7 quick points with an off-screen layup, a long 3-pointer to restore the lead after a Pacers run. Ivey and Cunningham played together late in the 3rd quarter. Ivey brought the rhythm, creating a 3-pointer for LeVert, drawing fouls and then hitting a hard left-handed layup to Jay Huff before following up with a step-back 3-pointer. He did not play in the 4th quarter.

– Get back in shape by TJ McConnell. The two days of rest have been good for the Pacers returner. McConnell scored 16 points on 8/12 shooting, with 5 assists for one turnover and three steals. With physical confidence, he continued his habits of cutting the defense or snatching the ball from the hands of the opposition. Ausar Thompson can attest to that.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.