Game Preview: Detroit Pistons at Portland Trail Blazerrs

Essentials

Date: Nov. 18, 2009

Time: 10:00 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Records

Detroit: 5-5

Portland: 7-3

Probable starters

Detroit:

Portland:

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +10.5

Over/under: 179

Score: Portland wins, 95-84

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 106.2 (16th)

Detroit defensive rating: 105.7 (16th)

Detroit pace: 87.8 (29th)

Portland offensive rating: 107.2 (14th)

Portland defensive rating: 99.0 (2nd)

Portland pace: 88.2 (28th)

Score: Portland wins, 94-90

Outlook

Most of my thoughts on this game are covered in my review of last night’s loss to the Lakers. Simply, Detroit can’t handle this road trip right now – not with Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince still out, the growing pains of a revamped roster and the tough competition.

But here are a couple other points for tonight’s game.

Why the Pistons might have a chance: Portland is 28th in pace. The Pistons are 3-0 in their three slowest games this year. They’re 1-5 in their six slowest.

Why the Pistons don’t have a chance: As noted by Henry Abbott today, the numbers show Portland is really, really good. John Hollinger’s rankings show it, and so does David Berri’s analysis.

The Pistons are also 0-3 in the second game of back-to-backs, which tonight will be. The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, didn’t play yesterday.

And like the Lakers last night, Portland is coming off a loss and will be hungry.

Yeah, I’d say the reasons the Pistons are toast outweigh the reasons they’re not.

• I’ll be chatting during the game at Daily Dime Live. It’s always fun to do, so check it out.

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