PistonsNationBlog.com - Detroit Pistons News & Views

The Pistons (24-53, 16-23 home) will be hosting the Atlanta Hawks (49-28). Tip-off from the Palace will be at 7:30 pm est. The game will be broadcast locally on FS Detroit Plus.  Listen live on WWJ 950.

Hawks’ snapshot
Road record: 17-21
Last game: 4/6 (Tues) – L 100-109 @ Bobcats
Last 10: 6-4
Streak: Lost 1
Injuries: Zaza Pachulia (hip: day-to-day), Mike Bibby (toe: day-to-day), Joe Johnson (thumb: out)
Vs. Pistons: Nov 29th Atl (88) @ Det (94) / Mar. 13th Det (99) @ Atl (112) / Apr. 3rd Det (85) @ Atl (91)

It’ll be interesting to see what the Pistons do tonight being about 24 hours removed from their biggest offensive explosion of the season.  The Pistons have had problems scoring this season to say the least.  In three games against this athletic Hawks team they’ve not broken 100 point plateau and are actually averaging about a point less their 29th ranked offense average.

The Pistons’ and Hawks last met 4 days ago down in Atlanta.  Although the Pistons lost that one their effort was lauded as somewhat of a moral victory in that they made the Hawks at least earn the W.

The Pistons chances at splitting the season series with the Hawks increased a little the other day when it was reported that leading scorer Joe Johnson (21.2) would not travel with the team on their two game road trip due to a sprained right thumb.  Former Piston Maurice Evans will start in his place.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: Hawks 4 1/2 point favorites … Ben Wallace may not play to rest his knees … The Hawks have dropped 25 of their last 29 at the Palace … Pistons haven’t have two consecutive games since late February … John Hollinger gives Ben Wallace his defensive due … The Hawks haven’t had a 50-win season since 1997-98 … The top 50 NBA free agents … Happy birthday to former Pistons C. (1967-69) Jim Fox …

The Pistons (23-53, 7-30 away) will be taking on the Philadelphia 76ers (26-50) Tip off is 7:00 pm est from the Wachovia Center and will be televised locally on Fox Sports Detroit, and can be heard on 97.1 fm.

UPDATE: It’s been learned that Charlie Villanueva (and Austin Daye) missed the team flight to Philly. Despite how the depleted of bigs the roster is I’d be real surprised to see Charlie play.

76ers’ Snapshot
Home record: 12-26
Last game: 4/3 (Sat) L 128-123 (OT) Vs. Raptors
Streak: Lost 3
Last 10: 3-7
Vs. Pistons: 11/8: Phi 81 @ DET 88 / 12/9: DET (90) @ Phi (86) / 1/9: PHI (104) @ Det (94)
Injuries: Thaddeus Young (thumb: day-to-day), Rodney Carney (toe: day-to-day)

Two franchises that have seen much, much better days tip-off tonight in a game where the loser will come out on top, at least in terms of draft lottery odds.

The Pistons showed signs of fight in their last game against the Hawks and according to Ben Wallace -who sat out that game- they’re actually still trying to win ball games:

“We didn’t get it done the way we were supposed to do it. We earned this early vacation, but that don’t need to be the case from here on out. We just got to get better.” -Pistons.com

Big Ben will be in the lineup tonight. With Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox dealing with injuries expect to see some more Kwame Brown backing up Ben in the middle.  Kwame had a decent game in his first start of the season on Saturday collecting 8 rebounds and 8 points in 29 minutes.  Kwame, a free agent at season’s end, says his focus is on the team and not his personal stock.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: The Sixers are a 4 point favorite  … including tonight the Pistons have 6 games left in the 2009/10 season … Detroit Pistons Roundtable round one … Rip is a game time decision … Jason Maxiell (back sprain) and Chris Wilcox (left hamstring) unlikely to play … The Sixers have a better road record (14-24) than home (12-26) … Ben Wallace is averaging 10.7 rebounds in 3 games Vs. Sixers this season … Ben Gordon is averaging 8.4 points during the Pistons 11 game skid. Please resist the temptation if you can to divide his points by his salary … Social networking is not working for the Pistons … 76ers join in buzz on McNabb trade … Happy birthday to former Piston (1994-95) Oliver Miller …

The Pistons (23-52, 7-29 road) will be in Atlanta to take on the Hawks (48-27). The tip will be at 7 pm est from the Philips Arena. The game can be viewed locally on FS Detroit.  Listen live on 97.1 fm.

Hawks’ snapshot
Home record: 31-7
Last game: 4/2 (Fri) – L 88-93 @ Cavaliers
Last 10: 6-4
Streak: Lost 1
Vs. Pistons: Nov 29th Atl (88) @ Det (94) / Mar. 13th Det (99) @ Atl (112)
Injuries: N/A

The Pistons lost to the Hawks down in Atlanta on March 13th and haven’t won a game since, which after last night brings the losing streak to 10.

The Hawks are playing to keep their one game lead over the Celtics for the third overall playoff seed in the east.

The Pistons have dropped their last 3 games at Philips Arena, and their last 10 road games overall.  The Hawks are .815 ball club at home and are currently on a season high 9 game home winning streak. It’s probably going to be another long night for Pistons’ fans.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: The Hawks are a 14 point favorite … B. Wallace / Rip / Wilcox / Maxiell all listed as day-to-day … Pistons play the Hawks at the Palace on Wednesday … The Hawks are averaging 57% shooting against the Pistons … Happy birthday to former Pistons: Marcus Brown (1999), Charles Jones (1994), and Earl Lloyd (1958-60) … both teams played and lost last night … at .309 the Pistons are the worst 3pt shooting team in the league …

The Pistons (23-51, 16-22 home) will be playing host to the Phoenix Suns (49-26) Tip off is 8:00 pm est from the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be televised locally on FS Detroit.  Listen live on 97.1 fm.

Suns’ Snapshot
Road record: 20-17
Vs. East: 18-10
Last game: 3/31 (Thurs) W 116-105 @ Nets
Last 10: 9-1
Streak: Won 9
Vs. Pistons: Nov. 22nd – Pistons (91) @ SUNS (117)
Injuries: Robin Lopez (back: out indefinitely)

The Palace will play host to the NBA’s current longest winning streak and longest losing streak tonight when the Suns take on the Pistons.   The Pistons have lost 9 straight, the Suns have been on the winning end of their last 9 games.

High powered offenses are just murder on the Pistons. Detroit doesn’t have the scoring punch to go up and down the court with Phoenix and they don’t have the defensive chops to slow Phoenix down. Another factor that has me wincing is that Phoenix, having a chance to improve their playoff seeding,  has not been showing their lesser opponents any mercy.

The debacle that is this season has a new wrinkle to it. It seems that Charlie Villanueva’s lack of consistency on both ends of the court -more so defense- has finally landed him in John Kuester’s dog house. Vill got a DNP-CD against the Heat that Charlie says caught him by surprise.  It’s a bitter pill for Pistons’ fans to swallow seeing a $35 million free agent acquisition out of the rotation.  Makes you wonder how far behind Villanueva will Ben Gordon and his $55 million contract be.

The silver lining is that two not as well paid rookies, DaJuan Summers and Austin Daye have seen increases in minutes and have shown some real promise.

Injury updates:

Rip Hamilton (ankle) and Jason Maxiell (back) are questionable tonight. Ben Wallace is still listed as day-to-day after making a surprise appearance against the Heat on Tuesday.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: The Suns are an 8 1/2 point favorite … Grant Hill & J-Rich liking the MI weather …  Alvin Gentry was the WC Coach of the Month for March, Suns went 12-2 … Steve Nash is the NBA’s top assister (11.1), plus he scores just under 17 a game … Ben Wallace lost $1 million on the sale of his Chicago area home … Suns are a league best 18-4 since the all-star break … Valley of the Suns preview … Happy bday to former Pistons Larry Drew (1981-82) and Isaiah Morris (1992-93) … The Pistons have lost by an average of 14.1 points during their 9 game skid … The Suns won the last 3 meetings w/ Pistons by an average of 18 pts … Suns are first in the league in scoring at 110.5, and second in FG% .491 …

The Pistons (23-50, home: 16-21) will be playing host to the Miami Heat (40-34) Tip off is 7:30 pm est from the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be televised locally on FS Detroit.  Listen live on 97.1 fm.

Heat Snapshot:
Road record: 18-18
Last game: 3/28 (Sun) W 94-97 Vs. Raptors
Last 10: 8-2
Streak: Won 5
Injuries: Jermaine O’Neal (knee: day-to-day)
Vs. Pistons: Jan. 29th – Mia (92) @ Det (65)

The Heat laid the smacketh down on the Pistons by 29 back in January and they way they’re playing this month could do that -maybe more- tonight.  The Heat are on the heels of the 5th place Bucks and with all of their remaining opponents having at least 47 losses they have an excellent chance of catching Milwaukee.

Miami is of course led by Dwyane Wade who is having a phenomenal season.  Wade is averaging 26.4 ppg (5th in the NBA), 6.7 apg (10th in NBA), and 1.9 steals (3rd in NBA).  Wade is coming off a big 32 point performance leading the Heat to a comeback win over Toronto on Sunday.

As has been the routine for Detroit this season they’ve got a number of guys banged up.  Both Rodney Stuckey and Rip Hamilton sprained their ankles during the Chicago game.  Stuck is expected to play while Rip is listed as questionable.  Ben Wallace is out with sore knees and Chris Wilcox has a hamstring injury.

FS Detroit is giving fans enhanced access to the team in tonight’s telecast. During the game Chucky Atkins will be wired for sound. It also will feature coach John Kuester’s pregame and halftime talks to his Pistons’ team.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: Miami is a 7 point favorite … Heat have the longest current winning streak (5) in the East … Heat’s Dorell Wright apologizes for nude photo … Heat have not won 6 straight since March of 2007 … Pistons have lost their last 4 vs. Heat … Miami has won 11 of their last 14 … Heat have held their last 5 opponents to 80.4 points per on 35.7% shooting … Pistons are giving up 110 points per on 54% shooting during their 8 game losing streak … Carlos Arroyo starts at PG for Miami …

The Pistons (23-49, 16-20 home) will be hosting the Chicago Bulls (34-38) Tip off is 6:00 pm est from the the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be televised locally on Fox Sports Detroit.  Listen live on 97.1 fm.

Bulls’ Snapshot
Road record: 13-23
Last game: 3/27 (Sat) W 83-106 Vs. Nets
Last 10: 3-7
Streak: Won 1
Injuries: Luol Deng (calf: 2 weeks), Joakim Noah (foot: day-to-day), James Johnson (foot: day-to-day)

The summary:

With time running out to grab the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, the Chicago Bulls are trying not to take anyone lightly.

That might be hard against their next opponent, against whom they’ve won six straight and routed in their last matchup.

The Bulls look to sweep the season series from the Detroit Pistons for the first time in 14 years when they clash at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday night.

I love my Pistons, but it’s hard to like their chances against a team that is fighting for a spot in the post season. We’ll see how it goes.

Foul Shots:

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ALSO OF NOTE: Pistons are a 2 1/2 point fav … Ben Wallace is out (knee), Wilcox is questionable (back) … Bulls have held their last 4 opponents under 90 points … Villanueva can’t wait to proe himself next season …  Opponents are averaging 110 pts & shooting 53.8% against Pistons during their 7 game skid … Pistons’ top offseason priority has to be acquiring a big man … Happy bday to former Piston (1962-64) Kevin Loughery … Tom Wilson chose his next ride carefully …

The Pistons (23-48, 7-28 road) will be in New Jersey to take on the Nets (8-63) Tip off is 8:00 pm est from the Izod Center and will be televised locally on Fox Sports Detroit.  The game can be heard on WWJ 950.

Nets’ Snapshot
Home record: 4-31
Last game: 03/24 (Weds) W 79-93 vs. Kings
Last 10: 2-8
Streak: Won 1
Injuries: Terrence Williams (foot: day-to-day)
Vs. Pistons: Feb 2nd: DET (97) @ NJN (93) / Feb 6th: NJN (92) @ DET (99)

You know the story. The Nets are Detroit Lions bad, but the Pistons aren’t that much better.  It took all the Pistons had to beat the Nets in their previous two meetings and I suspect it’ll be the same thing tonight.  Coach Kue knows New Jersey at least has some guys that give them a shot at win number nine:

“When you have an All-Star point guard in Devin Harris, you have a big man in Brook Lopez that you have somebody you have to go in the post and you surround them with some of the players they do have, they’re talented,” Kuester said. [Freep]

The Pistons motivation will to not be the team that gives them that ninth win tying them with the 1972-73 Philly Sixers (9-72). The Nets have 11 games counting tonight to not be the NBA team with the fewest wins in a season. The Nets are going for back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a year.

Will Bynum will start despite coming out of the Pistons’ last game with a bruised back. It’ll mark his 9th straight start after taking over for Rodney Stuckey after Rodney’s collapse against the Cavs back on March 5th.

ALSO OF NOTE: Pistons are a 4 point favorite … Ben Wallace is out indefinitely with his knee injury … The Nets last win snapped a franchise-record 14-game home losing streak & a string of eight straight overall losses … The Pistons are currently riding a 6-game losing streak … Pistons have won 11 of the last 13 against NJ … The Pistons are on a 9 game road losing streak, it’s their worst road skid since 11 straight defeats Dec. 4, 2001-Jan. 11, 2002 … Richard Hamilton has missed 19 of his last 23 shots …