The Detroit Pistons delivered a commanding 130-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, bolstered by standout performances from Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Malik Beasley.
Cunningham made an impressive return from a three-game absence, posting 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Pistons (9-12) maintained their undefeated streak in NBA Cup play, improving to 3-0 in East Group B and tying for first place with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jaden Ivey added 23 points and six assists, contributing to Detroit’s season-high shooting percentage of 57.8% from the field, including 47.4% from beyond the arc. Beasley came off the bench to score 25 points, connecting on five three-pointers, providing a critical spark for the Pistons.
The Pacers (9-11), eliminated from knockout-round contention after falling to 0-3 in NBA Cup play, were led by Pascal Siakam’s 21 points and nine rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton added 19 points and five assists, but Indiana struggled to match Detroit’s offensive efficiency.
The Pistons built a 10-point lead by halftime, holding Indiana to 48.2% shooting for the game. They extended their advantage to 22 early in the fourth quarter, with Ivey’s back-to-back three-pointers igniting a 22-11 third-quarter run.
Detroit’s defense limited Indiana to 36.4% shooting from three-point range, and their rebounding edge (44-32) further solidified the win. Jalen Duren added 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Tobias Harris contributed 16 points and five rebounds in the frontcourt.
Detroit’s dominant shooting and ball movement led to a season-high 35 assists, with Cunningham and Ivey orchestrating the offense. The Pistons’ bench, led by Beasley and Ron Holland II, provided 43 points, highlighting their depth and cohesion.
Indiana’s starters combined for 75 points, but the lack of scoring from their reserves and struggles with turnovers undermined their effort. Jarace Walker scored 10 points off the bench, but the team’s lack of defensive intensity proved costly.
