We made it: Pistons close the season vs. surprising Sixers

Essentials

Teams: Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers

Date: April 11,  2011

Time: 8 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Records

Pistons: 29-52

76ers: 41-40

Probable starters

Pistons:

• Rodney Stuckey
• Richard Hamilton
• Tayshaun Prince
• Chris Wilcox
• Greg Monroe

76ers:

• Jrue Holiday
• Jodie Meeks
• Andre Iguodala
• Elton Brand
• Spencer Hawes

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Pistons +5.5

Over/under: 207

Score: 76ers win, 106.25-100.75

Three things to watch

1. 76ers offer hope for the future

The Sixers last year were a strange mix of veterans and young players who never really meshed under a coach whose style didn’t fit the roster.

This year, with a smart, veteran coach in Doug Collins, with a solid lottery pick in Evan Turner, with players having a better understanding of their roles, with veterans like Elton Brand returning to form, the Sixers turned into a surprise playoff team. There’s no denying how poorly this season has been for Detroit, but there’s still talent on the roster and it only takes one or two good moves to galvanize a team. There’s no reason, with a good draft, smart coaching hire and a trade or two, the Pistons can’t take a step forward next year just like Philly did this year.

2. Hopefully Jrue Holiday is OK …

This was just heinous:

Why did you jump, Jrue? Why did you do it?!

3. One more, then the business starts

This is undeniably the biggest offseason of Joe Dumars’ career as GM. His team rapidly fell from contender to bottom feeder, his once pristine reputation among fans has deteriorated and made him one of the most polarizing figures in Detroit sports, his most recent non-draft transactions have been flops and although he received an endorsement from new team owner Tom Gores, it’s unlikely the flashy, dancing machine will be quite as forgiving if the team doesn’t show real improvement next season. It has been insinuated that Dumars has been severely limited in what he could do to improve things for nearly two seasons because of the ownership situation. As soon as tonight’s game ends, it’s time to get busy planning, prepare for Gores’ ownership to become official soon and prove that he still has the ability to build a title contending team from scratch.

Pregame Reading

• For those hoping the Pistons would take a flyer on Greg Oden next season, he is reportedly going to be out of action at least five more months
• Pat Caputo rarely pays attention to the Pistons, and it shows
• The Onion has some fun with the Pistons
• Dan writes about the playoffs for ESPN

If you need a hotel room for tonight’s game, visit Cheaphotels.org.

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