The Pacers are in Detroit tonight to kick off a week long road trip.

I'll get back to that in minute but allow me to take you on a brief detour. I've been with my in-laws since Saturday and every time I open my laptop, I look up to find a dirty look cast in my direction. I feel compelled to tell you this because in a moment of weakness, I tried to use ChatGPT to write the game preview. Here's what it gave me:

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for an exciting evening of NBA action as the Indiana Pacers take on the Detroit Pistons in what promises to be a thrilling matchup tonight!

Both teams come into this game with something to prove. The Indiana Pacers, led by their dynamic backcourt of Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert, have been showing flashes of brilliance this season. They're looking to establish themselves as serious playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are known for their fast-paced, high-scoring style of play, and fans can expect plenty of three-pointers and fast breaks in tonight's game.

On the other side, the Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, but they're showing glimpses of a bright future. Rookie sensation Cade Cunningham has been turning heads with his impressive play, and the Pistons are eager to see him continue to develop. They may not have the same level of experience as the Pacers, but the Pistons' youthful energy and determination could make this game closer than some might expect.

Keep an eye on the battle in the paint, as Domantas Sabonis for the Pacers and Isaiah Stewart for the Pistons will go head-to-head, battling for rebounds and points in the paint. Both teams will also rely on their bench depth to make an impact as the game progresses.

Defense will be a key factor for both teams. The Pacers will need to lock down on the perimeter to limit Detroit's three-point shooting, while the Pistons must find a way to contain Indiana's guards and protect the rim.

As the teams hit the court tonight, expect an intense, competitive matchup between two squads with different goals for the season. Whether you're rooting for the Pacers or the Pistons, this game is sure to provide plenty of excitement and memorable moments. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy what should be a fantastic game of basketball tonight!

The AI revolution may very well be coming but it's comforting to know that it's stuck three years in the past.

ChatGPT was right about a few things, first, the Pacers are known for their fast-paced, high-scoring style of play, and fans can expect plenty of three-pointers and fast breaks in tonight's game.

Second, just because the two teams have different goals for the season we shouldn't discount the Pistons' ability to catch us sleeping – especially after an emotionally draining tournament run.

In a way, playing the worst team in the league is the perfect palate cleanser after losing to the Lakers in the IST finals. If the Pacers do come out flat, they have enough of a talent gap to still win the game. If they simply lose, we won't have to read into it too much. This is the definition of a hangover game. Drink some Gatorade and move on to the next one.

I mentioned in the comment section (and about a million other places) that I'd love to see Carlisle begin to integrate Jarace and Sheppard into the lineup in games like these so that he'll have more comfort deploying them when the stakes are higher. I don't have much of a reason to expect Rick to actually do that – but if there was a time loosen the reigns, tonight is absolutely it.

Tyrese Gets His First Award of the Season

Lance is Back Baby!

Statistical Anomalies

Injuries

The Pacers' injury report is not out at the time of writing but I feel fairly confident that Jalen Smith and Andrew Nembhard are still out.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET.

TV: Bally Sports Indiana, NBA League Pass

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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