The Pistons (44-17) will be in New York to take on the Knicks (18-43) Tip off is 7:30 pm est from the Madison Square Garden and will be televised locally on TV20 Detroit
UPDATE! -Theo Ratliff will start in place of Rasheed Wallace who’s nursing a sore ankle [source]
Knicks’ Snapshot
Home record: 12-19
Last game: 3/05 (Weds) L 119-105 Vs. Cavs
Last 10: 3-7
Last meeting: Jan 13th - Pistons (65) @ Knicks (89)
After the disappointing play Wednesday in Boston, a game against the bumbling Knicks should be just the invigorator the Pistons need. That is of course assuming the Pistons handle their business and don’t get blown out by 24 and come close to setting single game scoring futility marks in the process like they nearly did back in January.
According to Chris McCosky’s blog we’re probably going to see what Theo Ratilff has to offer tonight:
Speaking of Sheed, his left ankle was pretty sore after the game. The Pistons are listing him as probable, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he sat out Friday in New York. Theo Ratliff is expected to be activated. If Sheed plays, then probably Walter Herrmann would sit.
Also from McCosky; the Pistons are tinkering with their bench to gear up for the playoffs.
the bench rotation is under reconstruction. The Pistons have 21 games to work in three veterans — Lindsey Hunter, Juan Dixon and Theo Ratliff. To do that, three other players have to be phased out of the rotation, at least somewhat.
When the season started the Pistons we’re going to win it all because the bench was young and energetic. Well, as we’ve seen the youth and athleticism is not picking up the slack for inexperience in some of these big games. The rookies have struggled and the non-rookies (Maxy and Jarvis) are slumping at a very inconvenient time. It’s a little late for experimentation so hopefully guys just go for what they know and play within themselves to help once again solidify the group.
I’m starting to notice those out there second guessing their Detroit picks from the preseason in favor of Boston or Cleveland who are playing really well going into the home stretch. This gives the Stonz a chance to get back into that lab that’s located under the radar and like McCosky said get the chip back onto their shoulders.
ALSO SEE:
- Ambushing Afflalo (great for some levity)
- TrueHoop interviews Terry Porter
