In final home game of the season, Pistons could extend win streak to four

Essentials

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons

Date: April 11,  2011

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Pistons: 29-51

Cavaliers: 17-63

Probable starters

Pistons:

• Tracy McGrady
• Richard Hamilton
• Tayshaun Prince
• Chris Wilcox
• Greg Monroe

Cavaliers:

• Ramon Sessions
• Manny Harris
• Alonzo Gee
• J.J. Hickson
• Ryan Hollins

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Pistons -7

Over/under: 211.5

Score: Bobcats win, 109.25-102.25

Three things to watch

1. Lottery seeding resolution?

The Pistons will receive either  the No. 7 seed or split the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds with the the Clippers, meaning the two teams would split lottery combinations and have an equal chance of receiving each pick. For the the teams to split the seeds, Detroit would have to win its last two games and the Clippers would have to lose their final two. Otherwise, the Pistons will receive the No. 7 seed in the lottery by themselves.

Simply, if the Pistons lose tonight, they’ll guarantee themselves sole possession of the No. 7 seed in the lottery. If they win, they’ll still probably receive sole possession of the No. 7 seed, but it won’t be certain.

2. Manny Harris returns to Michigan

Former Michigan guard and Detroit native Manny Harris will play in his home state for the first time as a professional tonight. The Cavalier guard bought about 20 tickets for friends and family, according to Mary Schmitt Boyer or Jodie Valade of The Plain Dealer. (Ah, the perils of multi-user Twitter accounts.)

3. Continuing a win streak?

The Pistons have won three straight games. A victory tonight would give them their longest win streak since they won five consecutive games in December 2009.

Pregame Reading

• Tom Gores should put the Pistons players in their place, according to Jamie Samuelsen.
• Why some quarterbacks make it in the NFL and others don’t. I think there’s some lessons applicable to the NBA here.

Be Sociable, Share!

•