Pistons @ Bucks PREVIEW Detroit Pistons (16-11) @ Milwaukee Bucks (13-14) Previous Game Jazz 75 @ Pistons 96 Nets 87 @ Bucks 92 Streaks Pistons-won 1 Bucks-won 1 Head Coaches Larry Brown/Terry Porter Probable Starters Chauncey Billups/TJ Ford Richard Hamilton/Michael Redd Tayshaun Prince/Tim Thomas Ben Wallace/Joe Smith Mehmet Okur /Daniel Santiago 6th Men Corliss Williamson/Desmond Mason Players To Watch Richard Hamilton/Michael Redd Hamilton: 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.23 steals Redd: 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.11 steals Injury Lists Detroit Pistons Hubert Davis Darvin Ham Lindsey Hunter Elden Campbell Milwaukee Bucks Dan Langhi Brian Skinner-questionable Keys To The Game Pistons -Don't let the Bucks get out early.If you let them to get their fast break going you could be in for a long night.Watching Redd on the arc is a key factor in beating their team.If you give him open shots he will knock them down.Put pressure on him when he has the ball.Be best to put Prince on Redd to really give him a tough time in getting his shot up.Stopping TJ Ford from attacking the rim is important as well.He is so quick so when he gets in the line he is real tough to contend.Getting the ball downlow to Okur is key as well.He is at his best when he is acting the basket and crashing the boards.He has to make the most of his chance with Campbell likely sidelined with injury.The biggest factor of all for the Pistons is the backcourt of Hamilton and Billups needs to get their offense going whenever that normally happens as a team Pistons are very tough to beat.It's when they have off-nights the scoring can be really ugly.Which is why I feel the struggles have happened recently.Neither have wanted to take over the game by attacking and dishing. Bucks -Not letting the Pistons set up their defense is what the Bucks must try and do.It will be that much tougher if the Pistons get their defense set up with all the good defensive players on the team it is a must to get basket baskets through Mason,Redd,Ford,Thomas e.t.c.They have a nice team of players who like to run,shoot that don't like you to get into your stride on offense and defense.They have been known as a poor defense team overthe last few years but under new coach Terry Porter it has improved quite well.Taking it strong to the two time defending defensive player of the year is what the Bucks need to do.Take it strong and get Ben Wallace in foul trouble.Doing that will open up the lines for players like TJ Ford to attack and get easy scores down the middle. Allnet's Prediction I see this one being a close game as they always are when these two teams meet.Both play different style of basketball which can be very fun to watch.The Pistons have struggled as of late.throwing away leads when in control of games.Good example of that would be the Pacers game on friday night.Up by as many as 13 points and 9 going into the 4th quarter but again the offense dried up which cost the Pistons yet another win.So far Pistons are at 500 on the road this season..currently 7-7.If Pistons take it easy again going into the 4th if they have a good lead there will be a chance the Bucks will come back.They are that kind of team.This prediction may surprise you people but I feel the Bucks are playing good overall basketball that have been tough at home.Pistons have struggled with them so... Bucks by 5
great preview allnet. I think the bucks will give an incredible push to force their victory over the Pistons.
I'm going with the Bucks here. Prince on Redd is the Pistons best bet, but I feel Redd has the body strength to get his shot off anyway, and he can post up Prince to his advantage. Without Skinner, Okur and Wallace will have to set the tempo early as Milwaukee's frontline is inexperienced somewhat. Look for Damon Jones off the bench as well. Bucks by 4.
Pistons know Damon Jones's game very well.Was a good role player when in Detroit.He is having a very good season so far with the Bucks.
Well, we lost the game by 5, good job allnet. I only have a few problems such as Zelly, Fowlkes, Sura, and Elden getting 10 minutes each. All of them did nothing. Zelly and Fowlkes both had 2 points, 2 boards, 3 fouls. And Zelly had 2 TOs. Sura had 0 points and 1 foul. Elden had 4 points, 5 boards, 1 foul, 1 TO, and 1 block shot. Now explain why any of them deserved to play for more than 4 minutes? I would rather have Darko play than Zelly, he would score and pump the other players up since they all want him to succeed. I hope we trade Sura for Mercer like we were discussing, I have never hated a Piston more than Sura (Not even Corliss or Zelly) Sura was supposed to replace JB, VERY GOOD JOB WITH THAT! I thought that after the Jazz game that we would be good to go, but that obviously isn't the case. I think that we will probably drop to .500 at this rate, only 4 losses away!
Too inconsistant as always.Joe Smith getting 18 points 17 rebounds is a worry.Ben Wallace hitting a three-pointer is even more shocking Bucks 83 Pistons 78
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Too inconsistant as always.Joe Smith getting 18 points 17 rebounds is a worry.Ben Wallace hitting a three-pointer is even more shocking Bucks 83 Pistons 78</div> It's like that? Can't give Ben some props? What's up with that? It should be like this there are 96 minutes to play per game at the 4+5 spots. Now Ben takes up 35 of those, and Memo should take up 25-30. That leaves 31-36 minutes left. If Brown is that obsessed at playing Corliss at the 4, give him 10 minutes there and 10 minutes at the 3. (Dump Fowlkes). That leaves 21-26 minutes. Now, I guess Zelly and Elden should play a little, give them 15-18 minutes depending on how they are playing, and which one is doing better. This leave a very good 3-11 minutes left for Darko. Hopefully it is usually more in the 8 minute range. This will allow him to develop and get used to the NBA. If he learns how to keep himself from fouling, and can get 4 points, 1-2 assists, 2-3 rebounds, 1 block in those 8 minutes, then I would think that he deserves to get his minutes bumped up to 15 and enter the rotation. Dumars said that he thinks Darko will be in the rotation eventually, and he has proved that he has some skills passing and shooting. Let him play, and become good. This also prevents people like Elden, Zelly, Fowlkes, and Corliss playing for too long, since we all know that is not helping. (I'm not even mentioning Sura, he needs to be murdered)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">It's like that? Can't give Ben some props? What's up with that?</div> Ben hitting a three-pointer is like dogs driving cars.It is shocking to hear or see.Credit to him for knocking it down late in the game though.Shame it wasn't enough. I agree with most of your post.The minutes to share at the 4 and 5 spots is real tough.Larry Brown has a tough job. Elden Campbell has been very dissapointing so far.He is only good for 10 minutes a game.He is very inconsistant..Just hope he is saving himself for the playoffs.Although I'm not counting on it.
I know that it was unexpected to see Ben hit the 3. I think that the only players who should be guaranteed minutes at the 4/5 are Ben and Memo. (I guess you can include Corliss, because Brown won't play him at the 3). Zelly, Elden, and Darko should be on performance based minutes. Give them each some minutes to play, and if they shine then leave them in the game. I'm sure Brown knows what he is doing but we Piston fans are starting to wonder why some of these players get extended minutes.
