Detroit Pistons Dominate Pacers, Eye NBA Cup Knockout Stage

The Pistons' revamped roster and strong group play performance signal a potential turning point for the struggling franchise.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers 130-106, improving to 3-0 in NBA Cup Group B play and positioning themselves for a group-deciding match against the Milwaukee Bucks.
This marks a stark turnaround from last season, when the Pistons endured a league-record 28-game losing streak and failed to win a single in-season tournament game.
Key performances from Cade Cunningham (24 points, 11 assists) and Malik Beasley (25 points) highlighted the Pistons' offensive efficiency, shooting a season-high 57.8%.
First-year head coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized the importance of the NBA Cup as a learning opportunity for high-stakes basketball, helping the young team develop playoff-like resilience.
The Pacers, hindered by injuries to key defenders, struggled to match the Pistons' energy and defensive intensity, falling to 0-3 in this year’s tournament after last season’s finals appearance.