HOME OPENER- Sixers @ Pistons Game Thread (ESPN)

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<font color="#a0522d"><font color="black"><font color="red">Philadelphia Sixers</font> (0-1) @ <font color="blue">Detroit Pistons</font> (0-0)</font></font></div>


When Wednesday 2nd November
Time: 8.00 ET
Location: Detroit, Michigan
TV: WB20 Detroit, ESPN

<font color="#a0522d"><font color="black">Probable Starting Lineups:</font><font color="black">

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<font color="#a0522d"><font color="black">PG- Allen Iverson</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">SG-Andre Iguodala</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">SF- Kyle Korver</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">PF- Chris Webber</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">C-Steven Hunter</font></font>

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<font color="#a0522d"><font color="black">Head Coach- Maurice Cheeks</font>

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<font color="#a0522d"><font color="black">PG- Chauncey Billups</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">SG- Rip Hamilton</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">SF- Tayshaun Prince</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">PF- Rasheed Wallace</font></font>
<font color="#a0522d"><font color="#000000">C- Ben Wallace</font></font>



<font color="#000000">Head Coach- Flip Saunders</font>


<font color="#000000">Starting 5 match-ups</font>

<font color="#000000"> Vs </font>

<font color="#000000">This match-up promises to be a good one. As It always is when these two quailty guards match-up. Allen Iverson is coming off a 35 point night in the Sixers season opening loss to the Bucks. Chauncey Billups leads the Pistons this time under new coach Flip Saunders and you can expect a far more loose Billups. He will get the chance to play his natural offensive game this year, maybe more than in the past few years under Larry Brown. It is always a good battle when these two meet, expect the same again.</font>


<font color="#000000"> Vs </font>

<font color="#000000">Andre Iguodala goes up against one of the best mid-range shooters in the game in Rip Hamilton. The one known as "Iggy" is a very talented and very well rounded player who can not only score, rebound, pass but also play pretty good defence. He is certainly one of the future stars in this league. Although he did struggle a little in the Sixers season opener. The sky's the limit for Iggy. He will however have problems chasing Rip round those screens If Mo Cheeks does infact put Iggy on Rip. Who is a tough guard for the best of defenders. Rip is coming into this year again depended on having a big season. He keeps on improving every year with his rebounding and assists numbers always improving.</font>


<font color="#000000"> Vs </font>

<font color="#000000">Kyle Korver had alot of problems when he had to face Tayshaun Prince in the playoffs last year. He could barely buy a bucket and was held to career low shooting %. Prince is one of those guys who is a really tough player to score on when you strickly depend on shooting jumpers. Tay who recently signed a contract extension worth 47 million will be looking to impress and show the world why he deserves the deal he got.</font>


<font color="#000000"> Vs </font>

<font color="#000000">Chris Webber seems to be getting back to the form he had a couple of years ago and showed plenty of promise in the Sixers season opener last night. Webber finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. He showed alot more lift in those legs than we have seen for a number of years. He seems to be a new man. Like wise does Rasheed Wallace who lost 20 pounds in the off-season and seems committed to being the man. He has alot of motivation after his mistake of leaving Robert Horry open may of cost the Pistons the repeat. He has worked as hard as ever to get back into the right shape and the right frame of mind. He has been demanding the ball alot more in pre-season. If Sheed is indeed motivated and wants to be an all-star again like he said. Then league watch out</font>


<font color="#000000"> Vs </font>

<font color="#000000">Steven Hunter gets the start to go against Ben Wallace due to an injury to Sammy Dalembert. Who will be out for up to two weeks. Hunter had a decent start in his Sixers debut last night with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. However going up against the reigning defensive player of the year will be a totally different challenge. Big Ben looks focused to add another DPOY to his tally and to try and get his rebounding title back also.</font>


<font color="#000000">Key's To The Game</font>


<font color="#000000">Sixers</font>
<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">Get Iverson going early and attack the Pistons defense. Iverson gives everyone problems even the best defensive team around. Get to the line and get the Pistons starters in foul trouble.</font>[/list]<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">Kyle Korver must bring something to the table. He got completely destroyed in the playoffs. He must play strong and somehow try and get free for some open shots. </font>[/list]<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">How Chris Webber does on a back to back will be key, how will he hold on? It will be a true test for him. So taking It to the Wallace brothers is a must. Try and force them to do something to stop him for scoring.</font>[/list]<font color="#000000">Pistons</font>
<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">Get off to a fast start and pressure the Sixers as much as possible. They are on a back to back they are bound to have some tired legs</font>[/list]<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">Use the crowd to get things started. The Pistons fans are known for getting their players to going by the noise they make. Mason also helps</font>[/list]<ul>
[*]<font color="#000000">Get good bench play. With Larry gone the Pistons are expected to have a far deeper bench this year. New addition Maurice Evans is going to be a key guy to bring energy and offense off that bench with along Antonio Mcdyess. Pistons may well go 12 deep this year unlike last year when LB only played 7 guys.</font>[/list]<font color="#000000">Final View</font>

<font color="#000000">With this being the Pistons home opener and the Sixers being on a back to back anything less than a double fiqure Piston win would surprise me. The Pistons know after the finals where homecourt proved to be so important that taking kind of regular season games that should be wins is key. With Flip Saunders as coach a guy who has proven to be a guy who gets his team to play hard in the regular season, the Pistons should do exactly that. There is only so many times where you can depend to win on the road in a playoff series. Having homecourt takes away alot of pressure. If the Pistons hadn't of slacked off so much last year they may of had homecourt in the finals. Which could of got them the title once again. How the Pistons rare early on could be very important then again It depends how long It will take Flip Saunders system to suit the rest of the players. If I had to guess I would say It shouldn't take long.</font>

 

How good did Detroit look in this game? Cohesive, exciting and poised. This could be a championship year for them.