Analysis of Pacers vs Pistons Game: Odds, Predictions, and Player Props for January 16th

• The Detroit Pistons are 3-point favorites over the Indiana Pacers tonight
• Tyrese Haliburton (groin) is questionable
• Check out the Pacers vs Pistons odds, predictions and player props, below

The shorthanded Indiana Pacers (22-19, 11-12 away) travel to Detroit tonight to face the Pistons (21-19, 10-9 home). The Pacers will likely be down two starters for the contest, which is reflected in the latest NBA betting lines. Indiana is a short road underdog, after being favored by 5+ points in each of the first two meetings with the Pistons. Tipoff for this Central Division showdown is scheduled for 7pm ET from the Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, MI.

Pacers vs Pistons Odds

The Pistons are currently 3-point favorites, in a contest with a total of 228.5. Both the spread and over/under have moved since opening lines were released, and the line movement may not be done yet. That’s because 86% of the total wagers are on the over, as is 89% of the money.

Odds as of January 16 at BetMGM. Be sure to check out the best BetMGM promo code before placing a bet on any NBA game tonight.

Pacers vs Pistons Prediction

• Over 228.5 (-110) 

It’s not hard to make a case for the over, despite the Pacers key injuries. Bennedict Mathurin won’t play due to a suspension, while Tyrese Haliburton is a legit question mark with a groin injury.

Haliburton sat out Tuesday’s contest versus the Cavs, and is considered day-to-day. He’s the team’s second leading scorer, and by far their best playmaker. Haliburton was All-Star starter last season, and the fact that Detroit is favored by as many points as they are suggests he won’t play.

These two teams are already below average in most defensive metrics, and things get worse when you remove Haliburton and Mathurin. Both are better defensively than their replacements. Haliburton has a higher steal and block percentage than T.J. McConnell, as well as a higher defensive win share.

Jarace Walker is slated to step in for Mathurin, and his defensive win share is a third of his teammate’s.

Detroit meanwhile, enters play winners of seven of their last eight. They’re fresh of a road upset of the Knicks, and have been getting stellar play from Cade Cunningham. The former first overall pick put 36 points at MSG, and is averaging a career-best 24.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists this season.

Cade Cunningham SHOWED OUT at MSG 😤

36 PTS | 4 AST | 4 3PM | 51.9 FG%

The @DetroitPistons are winners of 10 of their last 12! pic.twitter.com/lzcbYi6jdC

— NBA (@NBA) January 14, 2025

The Pacers and Pistons are both in the top half in the league in points per game. They rank fifth and 12th in effective field goal percentage, and both like to run.

Indiana and Detroit average the seventh and fifth most fastbreak points per outing, and each are top-12 in pace.

The trends also support a high-scoring game. The Pacers and Pistons are among the top-nine over teams in the NBA. Detroit has hit the over in three straight home games, while Indiana is 13-6 to the over on the road this season.

Pacers vs Pistons Player Props

• Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 Points

With Haliburton and Mathurin off the court, no Pacer sees a higher usage bump than McConnell. Unfortunately, online sportsbooks aren’t posting McConnell NBA props until Haliburton’s status is revealed.

Not to worry, the second highest usage bump goes to Pascal Siakam. Siakam leads the team in scoring, and will have to be even more productive without Mathurin and likely Haliburton.

Pascal Siakam gets the tough bucket AND the foul 💪pic.twitter.com/4BqqmaOvr8

— Pacers Nation (@PacersNationCP) January 15, 2025

The 30-year-old cleared 21.5 points on Tuesday without Haliburton, and has eclipsed that mark in three of the last four games Haliburton has sat dating back to last year.

Also working in his favor is the matchup. Detroit doesn’t have a lockdown defender, and their highest graded defensive player is out. Jalen Duren, who leads all Pistons starters in defensive rating and block percentage, hasn’t played since early January due to a leg injury.

The Indiana Pacers will face off against the Detroit Pistons on January 16th in what is expected to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference teams. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

The Pacers currently have a record of 23-14 and are sitting in the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They have been playing well as of late, winning 7 of their last 10 games. The Pistons, on the other hand, have a record of 12-26 and are in the 13th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite their record, the Pistons have shown flashes of potential and have been competitive in many of their games.

In terms of odds, the Pacers are currently listed as 6.5-point favorites over the Pistons. This means that oddsmakers believe the Pacers have a strong chance of winning the game by at least 7 points. The over/under for the game is set at 219 points, indicating that oddsmakers expect a relatively high-scoring game.

As for predictions, many analysts believe that the Pacers will come out on top in this matchup. They have a more talented roster and have been playing better basketball overall. However, the Pistons should not be counted out completely, as they have shown that they can compete with some of the top teams in the league.

When it comes to player props, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this game. For the Pacers, All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis has been playing at a high level this season, averaging a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. He will be a key player for the Pacers in this matchup. Additionally, guard Malcolm Brogdon has been a consistent scorer for the Pacers and will be relied upon to provide scoring punch.

For the Pistons, forward Jerami Grant has been a bright spot this season, averaging 24 points per game. He will be a key player for the Pistons in this game and will need to have a strong performance for them to have a chance at pulling off an upset. Guard Delon Wright has also been playing well for the Pistons and will be another player to watch in this matchup.

Overall, the Pacers are favored to win this game, but the Pistons have shown that they can be competitive against top teams. It should be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference foes on January 16th.