Time: 9:00 p.m.

Detroit record: 21-12

Denver record: 25-12

Detroit probable starters:

PG- Rodney Stuckey

SG- Allen Iverson

SF- Tayshaun Prince

PF- Amir Johnson

C- Rasheed Wallace

Denver probable starters:

PG- Chauncey Billups

SG- Dahntay Jones

SF- Linas Kleiza

PF- Kenyon Martin

C- Nene

Spread: Detroit +4

Outlook: This is the game he has been waiting for. His team turned its back on him. Now he’ll get his shot at them.

Eight days after acquiring him in, the Nuggets released Antonio McDyess, and tonight will be his

Oh, and Billups will go against Detroit for the first time since 2002, when his 8-for-10 mark from the floor was overshadowed by Jerry Stackhouse’s 40 point in a 104-83 Minnesota loss.

Not long after sitting in a hotel room and crying and reminiscing with Hamilton and Prince, Billups will face one of them. Hamilton is out, but Prince will play. Wallace is a gametime decision.

For the second straight game, Detroit will play battle an opponent missing its best player. Carmelo Anthony is out with a fractured hand.

Billups has steadied the Nuggets, who beat Miami in their only game without Anthony so far. Stuckey has certainly looked like he’ll be special since taking over the starting spot.

Both will play hard tonight because they know everyone will view the matchup as a barometer for the trade. One game doesn’t prove either’s worth, but both players know many will judge their performance tonight.

Billups doesn’t seem like the type to play too much outside of his game under the circumstances. But Iverson does. Wallace, too. Don’t be surprised to see those two Pistons take some shots they wouldn’t normally.

Johnson was in foul trouble against Portland, and that hurt the Pistons defensively. His ability not to repeat that could be the difference maker tonight.