Pistons will get a glimpse at their future in Philadelphia
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers
- Date: Jan. 6, 2012
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit, NBA League Pass
Records
- Pistons: 2-4
- Sixers: 3-2
Probable starters
Pistons:
Sixers:
- Jrue Holiday
- Jodie Meeks
- Andre Iguodala
- Elton Brand
- Spencer Hawes
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +10
Over/under: 185
Score: Sixers win, 97.5-87.5
Three things to watch
1. Are the kids alright?
We get our first look at Brandon Knight and Austin Daye as a starting backcourt tandem tonight. I’m not sure that will end up leading to much success on the court — Daye has struggled and fallen out of the rotation and Knight is coming off possibly his worst performance of the season — but I can’t deny it’s exciting. With Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon both out, Daye and Knight should be in line for big minutes even if they struggle.
2. Contract year Spencer Hawes
To this point in his career, Sixers center Spencer Hawes has been a serviceable, limited player in the league. He’s show occasional flashes of strong play, but has struggled defensively at times. But contract year Spencer Hawes has been a boss so far. Check his averages — 13.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 67 percent from the field. Along with Elton Brand, who always seems to play well against the Pistons, the frontline will be another test for Greg Monroe and Jonas Jerebko.
3. Sixers honoring a former Piston
Philly will honor several legends at their home opener tonight, including a former Piston, Earl Cureton. Cureton played three seasons with the Pistons in the mid 1980s.
Leave a Reply
Jan 6, 2012 • 5:50 pm
by TheFantasyPulse
hey guys longtime reader but new poster. this game could get ugly but I’m excited to see what this group can do together in extended minutes.
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:35 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Welcome from the shadows my friend. Glad to have you.
Jan 6, 2012 • 5:56 pm
by Jodi Jezz
Why is Gordon not playing?
Jan 6, 2012 • 5:59 pm
by TheFantasyPulse
an undisclosed personal matter
Jan 6, 2012 • 6:05 pm
by Max
I’m predicting feast or famine.
Jan 6, 2012 • 6:47 pm
by Ant
Hopefully the reason he’s sitting is because they’re working on a deal to ship him out?!
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:36 pm
by Patrick Hayes
That’s unlikely … sounds like he has a legit reason to be absent.
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:37 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Whoa … another reason for Hawes’ career start so far? An epic beard. That has to be among the best in the league.
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:41 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Austin Daye really lacking confidence in his shot still. 0-4 in the first quarter. He won’t have a quick hook this game, so hopefully he settles in.
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:49 pm
by Fennis
Bynum’s defense is awful! Totally demoralizing to the team a la Charlie V. I don’t care what he does on O, get him out of there!
Fennis
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:53 pm
by piston_fan_phl
lol daye passed the ball to wallace on top of the key with .05 on the clock
Jan 6, 2012 • 7:57 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Saw that. He’s more tentative right now than he looked as a rookie.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:03 pm
by Max
Daye had a big ole’ grin on his face after making a shot.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:26 pm
by Murph
Daye sucks.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:10 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Ugh … Knight limping bad after turning his ankle and headed back to the locker room.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:10 pm
by Vince
If Daye doesn’t turn this around fast I think we should get rid of him, no point in having him around if he can’t play.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:11 pm
by Max
@Patrick……I feel like a lot of rookies like more confidant than they ever will and it takes in every talent level. Keith Van Horn for instance was probably a little more like Larry in college and as a rookie, I watched, because he didn’t know any better and was willing to let it all hang out more. As players progress, they rely on things that work more and more often and don’t even show you anything like their entire games. These guys can all do more but even the great ones have to learn they can’t be the man all the time. The simplest example is that big man can dribble. They just know they can’t in the NBA.
Daye is past not knowing any better. He is struggling. I think he’s very talented and you can’t teach 6-11 so he should get it sooner or later, but the fans have to realize, that some guys take a few years to get it and that’s not a knock on Daye who I hope gets it after the next commercial break, I am willing to wait longer though.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:33 pm
by Murph
Larry who??? Larry Bird??? You’re kidding, right? To compare Keith Van Horn to Larry Bird is absurd.
As for Daye, it’s already been a few years. When is he going to “get it”? He didn’t even “get it” in Russia.
Daye finally got a prime oportunity to start, not because he deserved it, but because our two starters are out. And what does he do? He chokes by starting off 1-8…1-8! I thought this clown was supposed to be able to shoot.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:14 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Austin Daye turns his ankle at the halftime buzzer. Jason Maxiell might be the shooting guard in the second half.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:15 pm
by Max
OH, NO!!!! Not again. Give me Daye back.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:34 pm
by Murph
Yeah…let’s hope Daye can hurry back to he can throw up a few more bricks.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:17 pm
by Josh
It almost seems as were destined to just suit up 6 players every time we play Phily. :)
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:19 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Haha. The Ghost of John Kuester strikes again in Philly.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:17 pm
by Max
They should start Jerebko at SF with Ben at C or Maxiell at PF and Prince at SG,
I guess they’ll start Wilkins.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:21 pm
by Vince
C – Monroe / Wallace
PF – Jerebko /Maxiell
SF – Prince / Jerebko
SG – Wilkins / Prince
PG – Bynum
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:22 pm
by Max
When is Stuckey due back?
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:29 pm
by Patrick Hayes
He’s day to day. No official date that I know of. I would guess he’ll at least miss tomorrow’s game, then maybe be back Monday, but I don’t know for sure.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:23 pm
by Max
So much for my maybe we can be healthy this year???
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:35 pm
by Murph
Just one more thing you’re wrong about?
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:26 pm
by Daye and Knight
I fall asleep after the 1st..wake up and we’re BOTH hurt…fantastic
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:30 pm
by Patrick Hayes
The good news, I guess, is that Daye’s looked less serious. He was still walking on it. Knight was clearly in a lot of pain and couldn’t put much weight on his as he hopped back to the locker room.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:38 pm
by Daye and Knight
We’re healed! Hopefully they don’t suffer a set back or have swelling after the game, we’ll likely need them both tomorrow.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:32 pm
by Vince
Knight and Daye are back!
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:33 pm
by Patrick Hayes
Knight and Daye both out there to start second half. Like the toughness.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:36 pm
by Max
Daye hits a shot. The injury was the best thing for him really.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:36 pm
by Josh
Wishful thinking. Daye’s gonna shoot some 3′s and Knight’s gonna pull of an Isaiah.
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:41 pm
by Fennis
I agree with Frank’s decision not to pay Daye. He has no confidence and his D is pretty awful. But it’s Frank’s responsibility to build Daye’s confidence and performance over the course of the season. The guy has too much potential to simply leave him out on an island to figure things out for himself. He needs the dedication of the assistance coaches and a plan to develop his mental toughness.
Fennis
Jan 6, 2012 • 8:53 pm
by Max
I like the Sixers’ broadcasters.
Jan 6, 2012 • 9:13 pm
by gmehl1977
CV you better pack your bags son.
CV = doghouse