PistonsNationBlog.com - Detroit Pistons News & Views

The Pistons (55-23) will be hosting the Washington Wizards (41-37) Tip off is 8:00 pm est from the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be televised locally on FSN Detroit

Wizards’ Snapshot
Road record: 18-21
Last game: 4/9 (Weds) W 95-109 Vs. Celtics
Last 10: 6-4
Last game vs. Detroit: Mar. 23rd – Pistons (83) @ Wizards (95)

Wizards invade Palace, like it? It’s my little attempt to lure some heroic fantasy role playing geeks types to the site.

We’re gearing up for another game that don’t mean a heck of a lot, for the Pistons anyways. The Wizards still have some seed fenagling to do though. One point of intrigue is the return of quote/scoring machine Gilbert Arenas to the Palace. Arenas has come off the bench for Washington in the three games since returning from his knee injury, sitting out one to rest as a precaution. In those three games Agent 0 is averaging 21.3 mpg (again, off the bench), 14.3 ppg, and 4.3 apg. Those three games bring Arenas’ games played total to 11 for the year.

Remember, Gilbert had a pretty discouraging prediction for the Pistons this season, and for former teammate Jarvis Hayes (although he did praise the Juan Dixon trade).

Expect to see plenty Zoo Crew again tonight. Resting starters is something that has some fans unhappy, and probably rightly so because taking the fam to a NBA game isn’t cheap. Fans like seeing Walter Herrmann, but they payed to see Chauncey & Co.

Rip Hamilton is said to be a game time decision. Ironically it was against the Wizards back on the March 23rd that the Ripster injured his hipster. The Free Press is reporting that Rip worked out with magic healing sorcerer Arnie Kander yesterday.

ALSO SEE:

• mLive: Flip Saunders on WDFN: Playoff rotation for last four games
• Gilbertology: What To Watch For This Weekend

EXTRA! Check out TheScore.ca to read up on which team Pistons bloggers would like to see our guys beat face in the opening round of the playoffs.

Various teams have tried in recent years, but it’s the Milwaukee Bucks who have managed to lure John Hammond away from the Detroit Pistons to be their new general manager, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources say Hammond is expected to make a strong push to hire former Pistons coach Rick Carlisle as the Bucks’ next coach.

Sources told ESPN.com on Friday that Hammond, pursued in recent years by Portland, Toronto and others after a long and successful run as Joe Dumars’ top aide in Detroit, has accepted the Bucks’ offer and will be officially introduced as Larry Harris’ replacement as early as Monday.

I thought the Pistons denied the Bucks a run at Hammond? For a Buck fan perspective head on over to Brew Hoop where I would say they’re pretty elated about the acquisition.