Pacers at Pistons
THE STORY: Undefeated Indiana visits winless Detroit on Saturday in the fourth game of the season for both teams. The teams meet for the second time in six days. The Pacers won 91-79 at home in the season opener on Monday. Indiana needed overtime to defeat Cleveland 98-91 on Friday. David West's basket with 4.4 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game before Danny Granger scored nine of his 22 points in overtime to finish off the home win. Roy Hibbert added a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds. The Pistons' three losses have come by an average of 12.6 points. The latest came in a 96-85 defeat at Boston on Friday. Rumblings have already begun that several players are unhappy about first-year coach Lawrence Frank's long practice sessions, which is a bad sign considering Detroit is only three games into the season.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Indiana (Indiana), Fox Sports Detroit-Plus (Detroit)
ABOUT THE PACERS (3-0): While Indiana looks for Granger when the game's on the line, the Pacers unbeaten start has been a team effort. Five players - Granger, West, Hibbert, Paul George and Tyler Hansbrough - are averaging in double figures while point guard Darren Collison scores over nine points a game. Hibbert and Hansbrough both average a double-double. Indiana is starting a four-game road trip, which includes stops in New Jersey, Miami and Boston.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (0-3): No one expected much from Detroit this season, which is probably a good thing. The Pistons are playing poorly in all areas of the game. Detroit is shooting 41.2 percent from the field, but the defense has been a bigger problem. Opponents are shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 48.3 percent on 3-pointers. The Pistons also are being out-rebounded 123-101. Greg Monroe had a solid game against Boston with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Pacers are undefeated despite shooting below 40 percent from the field in each game. Indiana was 0-19 when shooting less than 40 percent last season.
2. Pistons starting guard Rodney Stuckey scored three points and shot 1-of-11 against Boston.
3. The teams split their four games last season, but the Pacers have won eight of the last 10 against the Pistons.