Game Preview: Detroit vs. Denver
Date: March 3, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Detroit record: 29-29
Denver record: 39-21
Detroit probable starters:
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
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| Rodney Stuckey |
Richard Hamilton |
Tayshaun Prince |
Antonio McDyess |
Rasheed Wallace |
Denver probable starters:
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
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| Chauncey Billups |
Dahntay Jones |
Linas Kleiza |
Glen Davis |
Nene |
Spread: Detroit -3
Projected score: Denver wins 98-96
Outlook: As you might have heard, Chauncey Billups is returning to the Palace of Auburn Hills tonight. There are plenty of poignant articles on the subject:
“Billups leaving bigger impression: Pistons, fans now feeling guard’s loss,” by the Detroit News’s Bob Wojnowski
“Billups back in town tonight,” by the Detroit Free Press’s Vince Ellis
“Chauncey Billups back at The Palace with Denver,” by Booth Newspapers’ A. Sherrod Blakely
But Jamie Samuelson of the Free Press may have had the the most interesting line:
He is the greatest free-agent signing in Detroit sports history.
I never thought about Billups like that, but Samuelson is right. I’m not not even sure who’s No. 2? Ivan Rodriguez with the Tigers? Brett Hull with the the Red Wings?
Could Marian Hossa pass all three with the Wings? Maybe. But for now, Samuelson is right. Billups is No. 1.
Although Billups is the main attraction tonight, both teams will be missing their leading scorer.
Allen Iverson is still traveling the country, one step ahead of the Pistons with his sore back.
And the Nuggets suspended Carmelo Anthony for refusing to leave the game, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post.
That tradeoff seems to bode well for the Pistons.
So does this: Denver hasn’t won at the Palace of Auburn Hills since March 10, 1995. No player on either team was in the NBA then.
Also, check out Roundball Mining Company’s preview.
Leave a Reply
Mar 4, 2009 • 11:30 am
by P
I only follow Detroit basketball, but I bet Ben Wallace was probably the #2 signing. Ben was as big a part of rebuilding the Pistons as Chauncey was. (Although, I now remember that we ended up doing a sign and trade for Ben, so maybe that doesn’t count.)