Philadelphia Sixers(1-1) @ Detroit Pistons(1-1) Previous Game Pistons 89 @ Raptors 101 Suns 108 : Sixers 98 Streaks Pistons: Lost 1 Sixers: Lost 1 Head Coaches vs. Garfield Heard/ Jim O'Brien Probable Starters PG: vs. Chauncey Billups/Allen Iverson SG: vs. Richard Hamilton/Aron Mckie SF: vs. Tayshaun Prince/Andre Iguodala PF: vs. Rasheed Wallace/Kenny Thomas C: vs. Ben Wallace/Marc Jackson 6th Men vs. Antonio Mcdyess/Corliss Williamson Players to Watch vs. Richard Hamilton/Allen Iverson Game notes This is also a return for former Piston, Corliss Williamson. He will get his championship ring tonight and a well deserved standing ovation from most people at the palace for all the hard work he has put in with Detroit on and off the floor. Keys to the Game <u>Detroit Pistons:</u> <ul> [*]Prevent penetration by Iverson Tonight, it will be important for them to force Iverson into ill advised shots, and prevent penetration. [*]Dominate the boards Detroit has the frontcourt to destroy other teams on the glass and has been effective so far this year. [*]Can't let the Sixers big men dominate inside like they let the Raptors do so the other night. No 2nd chance points. [*]Get good bench production, the bench so far this season has been terrible scoring wise and they were a big reason why they failed to keep hold onto their lead against Toronto. Guys like Mcdyess and Delfino need to produce. [*]Play Pistons style of basketball by Spread the ball around and get open shots.[/list] <u>Philadelphia Sixers:</u> <ul> [*]Guard Rasheed Wallace, The Sixers will need to keep him on the outside and prevent him from getting low post position. The Sixers still need to guard him on the arc though because he can still knock It down [*]Get rebounds, Sixers will need to get some defensive rebounds to prevent extra possesions for the Pistons. [*]Have a strong game from Iverson Detroit will not allow another night where the other team's franchise player has a horrible game yet their team still wins. Iverson will need to play smart and not force any shots. [/list] Prediction After a shocking display on friday night against the Raptors where they got completely outplayed by the Raptors frontcourt and bench, It's time for them to get back to what they do best in the defensive end. They gave up 101 points last night, that will not do and is certainly not something they should hardly ever happen and certainly not to a team who aren't a power house offensive unit. I expect the Pistons to bounce back and win this game in front of their home fans. They must play hard for the full 48 minutes or else this could be a closer game than It should be. Pistons by 8
it'll be nice to see Corliss get his championship ring. all i'm looking for right now is our bench to start playing better together.
Without Larry Brown on the sidelines the Pistons look a very average defensive team, he can't come back soon enough.This Sixer game is further proof what he means to the Pistons overall performance.
our bench still got outscored 30-23, but Dyess had a good game and showed how valuable he's going to be off the bench: Dyess: 12 pts 9 rebs 5 blks now if Delfino can find a groove, we can start to show our full potential. btw, if anyone's keeping track, this is the 3rd game in a row where EVERY Piston starter scored in double digits.
Pistons got more from the bench this game with Mcdyess doing a great job on offense, on the boards and playing defense. When you can get 12, 9 and 5 blocks from your back-up big men you are going to win alot of games. Chauncey Billups is also turning into one of the best all-round guards in the league, he was 3 rebounds short of a triple double tonight 20 points 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Pistons are getting back to the inside presents that got the championship, 13 blocks in total tonight. The defense is still not where It should be but I think thats more down to Larry Brown not being on the sidelines than them just not willing to play it for 48 minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pistons 99 Sixers 91 Detroit got double-figure scoring from six players, but it was defense that carried the Pistons past Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. One night after a rare poor defensive effort led to a loss in Toronto, the Pistons limited Iverson to eight points in the second half and beat the 76ers 99-91 Saturday night. Chauncey Billups led the way for Detroit, finishing with 20 points and 10 assists.</div> Recap Boxscore
The bigger and badder Pistons won tonight against the Sixers... good team defense although without Larry Brown maybe it's only 75% of what it's really capable of. In the NBA recap of the game, Iverson said it's a "nightmare" playing against the Pistons. Five days from now, the bad boys will be in Denver to test out their D. My man Carmelo's shooting percentage is gonna dip even more from his current 25% (17 for 67). What a way to start a soph season !
