The Pistons (28-10) will be hosting the Raptors (20-17) at the Palace. Tip off is 7:30 pm est and can be viewed locally on TV20.
Via ESPN:
The Pistons have an eight-game win streak at home against the Raptors. The last time the Raptors won in Detroit was in April, 2003.
Vince Carter, Rafer Alston and reserve Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter were all a part of that Raptors team led by Lenny Wilkins. Danny Manning was even playing for the Pistons and ESPN’s very own Rick Carlisle was the Pistons coach.
Raptors’ Snapshot
Road record: 10-9
Last game: 1/13 (Sun) W 116-109 (2OT) Vs. Portland
Last 10: 5-5
Last meeting: Jan 4th - Pistons(101) @ Raptors (85)
Carlos Delfino will be making his first trip back to the Palace for the first time since being traded over the summer. Carlos will also get to reunite with his gold medal winning Argentinian teammate Walter “Crazy Hands” Herrmann.
Raptors HQ was again kind enough to include PN in as part of their preview query as to the current state of our Pistons and in return I asked them about how Carlos (or ‘Los as he been known in certain circles) is fitting in with the Raps.
Q? -Your impressions of Carlos Delfino. How he fits in now and for the future?
RaptorsHQ: Interesting you asked about Carlos as he was a huge reason the Raptors eeked out the double OT win yesterday. Delfino is really the only player Toronto has from the SG-SF spot who can create his own shot off the dribble and get to the rim, and he’s probably the Raptors best on-the-ball defender from that spot (with Anthony Parker being a close second.) When he gets the minutes, he’s usually quite productive and has played above many fans’ expectations prior to the season. The problem is, that when he gets minutes he and Jamario Moon have similar games and with Moon’s emergence, Delfino is not getting the PT he got earlier in the season unless the Raptors go small and he and Moon are on the court at the same time. The other issue is that with TJ Ford hurt and Jose Calderon moving into the starting unit, the Raptors second unit is really struggling. The hope though is that Sam Mitchell will use Delfino more as an orchestrator on offense because of his ball skills. Juan Dixon and Darrick Martin just ain’t cutting it.
In the end I think this is one of the rare trades that worked out well for both teams. Delfino is being able to use his talents better with Toronto, and Detroit cleared room for impressive rookies Stuckey and Afflalo, both of whom probably are better fits in the long run.
