Pistons at Pacers
THE STORY: The Indiana Pacers saw major turnover in the off-season, but believe they've landed the player that can help them return to the postseason. Forward David West makes his Pacers debut as Indiana hosts the division-rival Detroit Pistons on Monday in the season opener for both clubs. Indiana ended a five-year playoff drought last season, battling hard before ultimately falling to the Chicago Bulls in five games. The acquisition of West from the New Orleans Hornets will give the Pacers frontcourt an instant boost. He'll join towering center Roy Hibbert and standout small forward Danny Granger in what should be one of the strongest front three in the league. The Pistons are in a much different situation, looking at a rebuilding year after winning only 30 games a season ago. Rookie guard Brandon Knight, the eighth overall pick in last June's entry draft, should provide a spark to the lineup - but points for this club could be hard to come by unless veteran guard Ben Gordon can improve upon his 11.2-point average from 2010-11.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit Plus, FS Indiana
ABOUT THE PISTONS (0-0): Detroit finished with a minus 3.6 point differential last season thanks to a once-staunch defense that allowed more than 100 points per game. For a team that averaged only 97 points, the all-too-frequent defensive lapses proved costly. One of the keys to the team's rebuilding efforts is guard Rodney Stuckey, who led the club with a 15.5-point scoring average last season. Stuckey signed a three-year deal worth $25 million last week.
ABOUT THE PACERS (0-0): Fans hoping to see Hibbert become a better rebounder should be pleased with the early prognosis. The 7-foot-2 behemoth added bulk to his upper body after contending he was too light last season, preventing him from establishing post position. He averaged 7.5 rebounds per game last season but is expecting to reach double digits in 2011-12 for the first time in his career. Indiana was 37-45 last season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split four meetings last season, with the home team prevailing each time. Indiana has won eight of the last 10 encounters overall.
2. Gordon's scoring average has plummeted 9.5 points from two seasons ago, when he was a 20-point scorer with the Chicago Bulls.