<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pistons coach Flip Saunders isn't the type of guy who likes to look too far ahead. But with the Pistons" magic number to clinch the East at one — they play host to the Magic tonight — he is allowed to peek. Isn't he? "We still want to be sharp, but we get the guys some rest,” said Saunders, whose lineup likely will go to more of an exhibition format for the remaining five games after tonight. "We"re lucky, in that we really don’t have any back-to-backs down the stretch here, so that’s a positive.” Paring back minutes could pay the most dividends for Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, and Tayshaun Prince. Webber and Wallace are overcoming illness and injury, while and Prince has logged an average of 37.3 minutes. Checking the competition The Magic are in the eighth playoff spot in the East, meaning they could be the Pistons’ first-round opponent. Things, however, are far from set. The Nets (seventh) and Pacers (ninth) still are in play around the Magic — two games separate all three teams. The Magic have four games left (76ers, Celtics, Wizards and Heat), and the Pacers have five left (Bucks, Heat, Hawks and Wizards), including one Monday against the Nets. The Nets have the toughest schedule, with the Cavaliers, Bulls, Nets and Knicks (twice). “I am watching the standings, because it’s natural to be curious,” Pistons guard Chauncey Billups said.</div> Full story
I hope we get into a situation where we can rest some of our players as well. But that's probably asking too much given the situation we're in though.
