Rockets @ Pistons PREVIEW Houston Rockets(19-14) @ Detroit Pistons(22-13) Last Meeting Pistons 80 @ Rockets 86 on December 6, 2003 Previous Game Warriors 65 @ Rockets 83 Pistons 78 @ Celtics 68 Streaks Pistons: Won 6 Rockets: Won 3 Head Coaches vs. Probable Starters vs. Steve Francis/Chauncey Billups vs. Cuttino Mobley/Richard Hamilton vs. Jim Jackson/Tayshaun Prince vs. Kelvin Cato/ Ben Wallace vs. Yao Ming vs. Mehmet Okur 6th Men vs. Maurice Taylor /Chucky Atkins Players to Watch Mobley: 15.8 Points 3.1 Assists, 4.5 Rebounds, Hamilton: 18.2 Points 3.5 Assists, 3.6 Rebounds, 1.15 Steals Injury Lists Houston Rockets Adrian Griffin Detroit Pistons Hubert Davis Tremaine Fowlkes Lindsey Hunter Keys to the Game Houston: <ul> [*]Control the boards. [*]Go to Yao in the post every chance you get.Getting the Pistons frontline in foul trouble early on. [*]Don't settle for the outside shot.Play to your strengths and not force the issue. [*]With this being a battle of defense,when you have the chance to get on the break Rockets need to take it.When Pistons defense sets up thats when Rockets could have problems[/list] Detroit Pistons: <ul> [*]Dominate the rebounds by keeping Yao in check [*]Guard Mobley on the three-point line.He certainly isn't shy of letting them go. [*]Control the point guard spot.Francis v Billups is a key match-up.Whoever plays the best all-round game thats gets their team-mates involved should win this game. [*]Don't let Francis have his way by attacking the basket.Give him the tough jump shot which he has struggled with this season. [*]There will be times when the Pistons big man will get open looks.Make Houston respect your jumpshot.Any extra offense from Wallace will be needed against Cato and Ming inside[/list] Allnet's Prediction Pistons on a 6 game winning streak,playing good team basketball...the defense is as strong as ever.Still yet to see a team score 100 against the Pistons this year.Don't expect that to change tonight in what will be a defensive battle Pistons by 3
I agree with the other predictions. This will be a close game and a defensive war. I think Pistons will prevail and get the win, Pistons by 3.
First of all, Houston is on a 3 game winning streak, not losing as allnet said in his outlook. I think the Pistons will win too, but this game will probably be a low-scoring game. I say the Pistons take it 75-71.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kid Canada:</div><div class="quote_post">You have Eric Dampier instead of Yao Ming. </div> Does he look like Erick Dampier to you? franchise3,yes I have now edited the Rockets current streak.This preview was the same lay-out as the last one I did so I forgot to change the wording from lost to won on the streaks section Fixed
Great preview, like the layout. Anyway going back on the game, this one is gonna be a barn burner. Look at the defensive and offensive matchups, this is gonna be sweet. Especially Francis and Billups, two men of awesome handle. What I'm looking forward to the most is watching Ben Wallace battle with Yao for boards. I say Pistons take it by 3.
Well, I would also look forward to Ben guarding Yao, which Ben could easily accomplish. He held Yao to 2 points in the 4th quarter of the last game (The only time he guarded Yao). However, Larry Brown has his own ideas about how to use Ben. Now that the game has started, what do you think of Darko going blonde? The announcers said that Larry Brown was angry/annoyed that he dyed his hair. Why? It is not like it takes 8 hours, Ben gets cornrows so let Darko dye his hair. It is not like he has something else to do that is important. Of course, Darko looks very weird being blonde. He is not German, so he shouldn't have blonde hair! Only saying that Brown shouldn't be insulted that his 18 year old rookie that wants to be loved by the fans is having fun sitting on the bench. Be happy that he isn't lashing out to the media at you! (That would be damn funny, Darko attacking Brown in a press conference. It would be the opposite of AI's conference, Darko would be "All I do is practice. Nothing other than practice. I never play, just practice. I want to have some in-game practice") Luckily, Darko isn't like that so we won't get a comedic press conference from him.
With 5 minutes left in came Darko 4 points 1 rebound 1 block for Darko..including two dunks. Great to see Another amazing defensive game by the Pistons...Rockets with only 62 points with little over 2 minutes left in the 4th. 7th straight win.
Darko had an amazing game! It's the hair! He more than doubled his career total in points! He now has 11 points! He also had 4 rebounds! I can even understand that air ball, that many people screaming can throw anybody off, it is like taking an away free throw.
damn! i game i miss is Darko's best game! Pistons have their longest winning streak in 12 years. Great job.
I think my favorite part of that game was after Darko got his first dunk and the commentator announced that these were Darko's first points as a blonde! I was like, Wow, how useful! That was very fun to watch. I'm excited that this team is finally rolling. Hopefully they'll keep it up.
Man, I have never been into a blowout game at the end like I was yesterday. Darko played amazing. 6 points, 4 boards, and 1 block in just 5 minutes of play. It's a shame he missed 2 free throws. Those numbers are alot better then what Rebracca puts up in a whole game, when he actually does play. Darko should get at least 10 minutes a game man. Yeah, I can't believe the announcer said it was his first points as a blond. That had me rollin. That only get's me more and more excited about the future of the Pistons!
