Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker duel to snap losing streaks
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Bobcats
- Date: Jan. 13, 2012
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 2-9
- Bobcats: 2-9
Probable starters
Pistons:
Bobcats:
- D.J. Augustin
- Gerald Henderson
- Derrick Brown
- Boris Diaw
- DeSagana Diop
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +3
Over/under: 180.5
Score: Bobcats win, 91.75-88.75
Three things to watch
1. Brandon Knight vs. Kemba Walker
In their game preview, all three Queen City Hoops writers said they’d prefer Kemba Walker long-term to Brandon Knight. Plenty of Pistons fans wanted Walker instead of Knight with the No. 8 pick last year. I’m not big on Walker, and it would be nice to see Knight quiet his doubters tonight.
2. Greg Monroe’s follow-up
Greg Monroe had a career game against the Bucks with 32 points and 16 rebounds. As exciting as that was, 32 and 16 haven’t become the new norm for Monroe. I just want to temper expectations, so nobody is disappointed with 17 points and nine rebounds tonight. Monroe is headed in the right direction, and he shouldn’t be held to an unfairly high standard.
3. Hungry for a win
The Pistons have lost six straight, all to teams better than the Bobcats. This is Detroit’s chance to break that awful streak.
The Bobcats have lost five straight, all to teams better than the Pistons. This is Charlotte’s chance to break that awful streak.
After Charlotte’s last loss, Paul Silas accused his starters of quitting. Lawrence Frank has said his team isn’t playing like it deserves to win.
I’d hope the Pistons and Bobcats bring their A-games tonight, not only because they want a win, but because they fear losing to such a bad opponent.
Leave a Reply
Jan 13, 2012 • 7:29 pm
by Daye and Knight
Stuckey came off the bench and he’s already twice as productive as Gordon, and playing pretty good defense not allowing Henderson to score, he even faked the hell out of Thomas which I thought was great. Frank if somehow you read this START STUCKEY AND BENCH GORDON!
Jan 13, 2012 • 8:09 pm
by tarsier
Still struggling to believe how well Monroe continues to play. I remember last year being excited about the possibility that he had a realistic shot to be an Al Horford down the road. But he has significantly more potential that that.
Jan 13, 2012 • 9:26 pm
by Laser
Really hope Knight continues to start. It’s like, shit, he’s starting now, so FUCK let’s just keep him starting. Slide Stuckey over to the two and bring Gordon off the bench. Gordon’s never EVER going to establish any value relative to his contract, so let’s just have him come off the bench as a third guard who’s paid more than anybody else. It’s what he is.
Also, sure hope there aren’t too many more games on the schedule like this one. I’d hate to think that the Pistons look competent just because they’re up against one of the two teams in the league that’s less competent than they are.
Jan 13, 2012 • 10:06 pm
by domnick
i think BG is playing like a point guard…. then Knight is playing off the ball
Jan 13, 2012 • 10:28 pm
by grimez
i think im in love with brandon knight. but i dont want to win too many games this year so we can get harrison barnes in the draft