Category → Game Preview
DaJuan Summers’ Hornets visit Pistons
Essentials
- Teams: New Orleans Hornets at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Feb. 4, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 5-20
- Hornets: 4-19
Probable starters
Pistons:
Hornets:
- Jarrett Jack
- Trevor Ariza
- DaJuan Summers
- Jason Smith
- Emeka Okafor
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +1
Over/under: 176
Score: Hornets win, 88.5-87.5
Read about the Hornets
Shaun Livingston not only plays for the Bucks now, he starts for them
Essentials
- Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Feb. 3, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-20
- Bucks: 10-11
Probable starters
Pistons:
Bucks:
- Brandon Jennings
- Shaun Livingston
- Carlos Delfino
- Luc Mbah a Moute
- Drew Gooden
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +4.5
Over/under: 182.5
Score: Bucks win, 93.5-89
Read about the Bucks
Game notes
- Lawrence Frank said Will Bynum is day-to-day, but Bynum said he’s about a week, according to David Mayo of MLive.com.
- Ben Gordon participated in today’s shootaround, but he’s out tonight, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.
- Charlie Villanueva still cares. But he’s also out again, according to Eric Lacy of The Detroit News.
Lawrence Frank returns to New Jersey
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at New Jersey Nets
- Date: Feb. 1, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-19
- Nets: 7-15
Probable starters
Pistons:
Nets:
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +6
Over/under: 180.5
Score: Nets win, 93.25-87.25
Three things to watch
1. A bad time for Deron Williams
Brandon Knight is struggling right now, so it’s perhaps not the best time to play against one of the league’s top point guards. Deron Williams is coming off a 34-point game in a loss last night to the Pacers (including this monster dunk over Roy Hibbert). He’s a big, strong guard and it will be a major challenge for Knight to defend him, especially in the third game of a back-to-back-to-back. Just another test in a season of getting thrown to the wolves for Knight.
2. A look at the Hump
Kris Humphries was signed to a bargain contract by the Nets in the offseason after reality TV attempted to ruin his career. Many fans wished the Pistons would’ve pursued him. They, like many teams, didn’t. So far this season, he’s averaging 12.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and a block a game. He’s a big dumb animal, but damn if I wouldn’t love that kind of production next to Greg Monroe right now.
3. Can Lawrence Frank get a win vs. his old team?
I’m sure Frank would like nothing more than to beat the team that fired him. Fortunately, things might be aligning for the Pistons to pull it off. The Nets will be playing without injured starters Brook Lopez, Mehmet Okur and MarShon Brooks. That still might not be enough for the Pistons to win on the road, especially if Williams has a big night, but it certainly gives some hope that the game can be competitive.
Pistons and Knicks battle for the right to be losers of 9 of their last 11 games
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
- Date: Jan. 31, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-18
- Knicks: 7-13
Probable starters
Pistons:
Knicks:
- Toney Douglas
- Landry Fields
- Carmelo Anthony (Note: ‘Melo is a game-time decision)
- Amar’e Stoudemire
- Tyson Chandler
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +8.5
Over/under: 183
Score: Knicks win, 95.75-87.25
Three things to watch
1. Can Knight bounce back?
Brandon Knight played poorly last night against Milwaukee and, for the first time in his young career, got benched. The plus side? He should be rested tonight after playing just 24 minutes (the first time he’s played fewer than 30 minutes since becoming a starter) and he has a favorable matchup. The Knicks have not got much production out of their point guard spot. Toney Douglas is shooting 32 percent and rookie Iman Shumpert is shooting just 37 percent. How Knight responds to his worst performance of the season will be interesting.
2. Can Greg Monroe have a big impact against Tyson Chandler?
In the first meeting between the Pistons and Knicks, Greg Monroe was decent scoring the ball (15 points on 7-for-11 shooting), but he only grabbed five rebounds and Tyson Chandler defended him well, coming up with a couple steals when Monroe was trying to make moves inside. The Pistons need Monroe to be his usual self offensively, but they also need him to be a much stronger presence rebounding the ball this time around.
3. Can they defend ‘Melo/Amar’e again?
The first time these teams played, Detroit held Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire to 35 points on combined 13-for-29 shooting. That’s pretty good, considering how the Pistons have struggled defensively and considering how both of those guys are dynamic scorers. What was bad was Mike Bibby, Josh Harrellson and Iman Shumpert all having great shooting nights and reaching double figures. The Knicks are struggling, but probably a bit better than their record suggests and a home game against arguably the worst team in the league is coming along at the right time for them. I wouldn’t bet on bad games from Anthony and Stoudemire tonight.
Pistons need to go to Greg Monroe often against depleted Bucks
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks
- Date: Jan. 30, 2012
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-17
- Bucks: 8-11
Probable starters
Pistons:
Bucks:
- Brandon Jennings
- Shaun Livingston
- Carlos Delfino
- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
- Drew Gooden
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +7
Over/under: 181
Score: Bucks win, 94-87
Three things to watch
1. Injuries in Milwaukee
The first time Detroit played Milwaukee, Greg Monroe had a great game against a good defensive center in Andrew Bogut. Monroe should have an easier go of it with Bogut injured and out of the lineup. Milwaukee’s frontcourt is small, with Drew Gooden and Ersan Ilyasova getting minutes at the center spot.
2. You think the Pistons jerk around their young players?
Jon Leuer of the Milwaukee Bucks is one of the most surprising rookies in the league this season. Still, for some inexplicable reason, he’s yet to crack Scott Skiles’ regular rotation. Check out Leuer’s last four games: DNP-CD; 0-for-1 in 2 minutes; 19 points in 19 minutes (9-for-11 shooting); 0 points in 6 minutes.
Here was Ian Segovia of Bucksketball after Leuer’s 19-point performance:
It took a Bogut injury and Ilyasova foul trouble, but Leuer finally got back on the floor after he was benched for no discernibly good reason at all. The dude just knows how to ball: has a wonderful understanding of floor spacing and how to cut. Plus he has a swell jumper.
People were getting on Lawrence Frank for not playing Austin Daye, and Daye wasn’t even playing well in the bit minutes he was getting. I can’t imagine the reaction Skiles must be getting for keeping Leuer, who is performing at a high level in his spot minutes, must be getting for keeping him out of the lineup.
3. Watch out for those assistant coaches
From Zack Lowe of Sports Illustrated:
4. Coaches screaming/clapping at opposing shooters
It’s unbecoming of a retired player in a suit. It happens across the league, and I caught a Bucks assistant jumping off his seat and screaming just a foot or so away from Josh Smith last Monday, as Smith attempted a key fourth-quarter three. It’s one thing for players to do this; they are generally very young, competitive and enjoy goofing around. But the coaches should cut it out.
But who was it?! I assume, since Lowe mentions “retired player” that would narrow the choices down on the Bucks staff to Joe Wolf, Anthony Goldwire or Sidney Moncrief. Anyway, watch out for those guys if you shoot near them.
Pistons get a chance to fix mistakes of previous loss this season in Philadelphia
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers
- Date: Jan. 28, 2012
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-16
- Sixers: 13-6
Probable starters
Pistons:
Sixers:
- Jrue Holiday
- Jodie Meeks
- Andre Iguodala
- Elton Brand
- Tony Battie
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +14.5
Over/under: 178.5
Score: Sixers win, 96.5-82
Three things to watch
1. Can they score at the rim?
In a double-digit loss at Philadelphia earlier this month, the Pistons got plenty of shots near the basket, they just struggled to finish them. In tonight’s game, one of the Philadelphia players who bothered a lot of those shots, Spencer Hawes, is out of the lineup, so that should remove one obstacle. Still, Philly has a lot of length on its front line and the Pistons will need to take advantage of opportunities inside to have any chance.
2. Can they score from the perimeter?
The other issue in the previous meeting between these teams was Detroit’s horrible 3-point shooting. The Pistons shot 0-for-10 from distance, and many of those shots were good, open looks. With Austin Daye‘s shot seemingly straightened out, hopefully the Pistons are a bit more successful from outside tonight.
3. Matching the potent Philly bench
Philadelphia has several players having good seasons, but surprisingly, their leading scorer is sixth man Lou Williams. Williams averages nearly 16 a game off the Philadelphia bench. Thad Young is averaging 12.3 points per game as a reserve and Evan Turner is right on the verge of giving Philly three double figures scorers of its bench at 9.9 points per game.
Bench play has been a weakness for the Pistons most of the season, but with Daye’s improved shooting over the last two games as well as Jason Maxiell‘s re-emergence as a living, breathing NBA player and the energy that Jonas Jerebko and Walker Russell provide, the Philly bench vs. Detroit bench shouldn’t be nearly the mismatch it would’ve been a couple weeks ago.
Tracy McGrady, now an Atlanta Hawk, returns to Detroit
Essentials
- Teams: Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Jan. 27, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-15
- Hawks: 13-6
Probable starters
Pistons:
Hawks:
- Jeff Teague
- Joe Johnson
- Marvin Williams
- Josh Smith
- Zaza Pachulia
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +6
Over/under: 180.5
Score: Hawks win, 93.25-87.25
Three things to watch
1. Austin Daye
After his breakout game against the Heat on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Austin Daye tonight to see how he responds. The narrative that he ended his slump once his personal trainer flew to Detroit to work with him fits perfectly. Is it just a good story, a coincidental strong game for an otherwise weak player, or is Daye really back on track as a result of Joe Abunassar’s help? We’ll get a better idea tonight.
2. Another tough opponent
The Pistons interrupt their string of division-leading opponents – Thunder on Monday, Heat on Wednesday and 76ers tomorrow – with tonight’s game against the 13-6 Hawks. Yup, should be super easy.
3. Containing Joe Johnson
At this point it has become cliché to to rip on Joe Johnson and his max contract, and to start the season he was doing little to assuage the criticism. Johnson averaged 16.7 points per game through the first eleven with a healthy Al Horford, and while obviously a small sample size, it would have been his lowest average as a Hawk if he continued at that pace.
Since Horford went down however, Johnson has upped his scoring average to 22 points per game and has been demonstrably more of a leader on the court. Watching Johnson play like Robin when we want so desperately for him to be Batman has always been maddening, but perhaps the Horford injury will force him to seize the spotlight. (And yes, I know that is quite possibly the biggest reach at a silver lining in the history of silver linings).
That was written before Johnson struggled against the Spurs on Wednesday, but I’d guess Johnson is eying the opportunity to get back on track against a porous defense. The onus will likely be on Rodney Stuckey to stop him.
LeBron James and Chris Bosh take on Pistons, likely without Dwyane Wade
Essentials
- Teams: Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Jan. 25, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-14
- Heat: 12-5
Probable starters
Pistons:
Heat:
- Mario Chalmers
- James Jones
- LeBron James
- Chris Bosh
- Joel Anthony
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +8.5
Over/under: 187.5
Score: Heat win, 98-89.5
Three things to watch
1. Dwyane Wade?
Dwyane Wade flew to Detroit, but none of the Heat Index writers expect him to play. This doesn’t really affect the Pistons chances of winning. (They won’t.) But if you’re headed to The Palace to see the Big Three, count on just two.
2. Austin Daye bouncing back?
After a late-night shooting session with his personal trainer, will Austin Daye break out of his slump tonight? Probably not, but it’s fun to hope. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com at least expects Daye to receive extended minutes again.
Remember, Daye found himself, somewhat, against the Heat last year.
3. Rough waters ahead
After Monday’s loss to the Thunder, the Pistons’ schedule doesn’t get much easier. Their next there games are vs. the Heat, vs. the Hawks and at the 76ers.
Damien Wilkins, via David Mayo of MLive.com (emphasis mine):
“The next four or five games, all the teams are above .500, with playoff and championship aspirations,” Wilkins said. “We’ve certainly got our work cut out for us. It doesn’t take a long time to figure out if guys are up to the challenge or not.”
I fear Wilkins is correct.
Rodney Stuckey looks to stay hot against one-time scripted foe, Russell Westbrook
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Date: Jan. 23, 2012
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 4-13
- Thunder: 13-3
Probable starters
Pistons:
Thunder:
- Russell Westbrook
- Thabo Sefolosha
- Kevin Durant
- Serge Ibaka
- Kendrick Perkins
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +13.5
Over/under: 186.5
Score: Thunder win, 100-86.5
Three things to watch
1. Rodney Stuckey’s passion
Rodney Stuckey had his best game of the season against the Trail Blazers on Saturday, but he rarely shows supreme focus, drive and execution for two straight games.
Once upon a time, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com was certain Stuckey saw Russell Westbrook making the USA Select Team ahead of him as a slight. History hasn’t quite vindicated that opinion. Patrick and I recently debated whether Westbrook is one of the NBA’s top 10 players. I’m not convinced Stuckey belongs in the top 100.
If Stuckey has his competitive juices flowing tonight, I’ll be surprised – and pleased.
2. Greg Monroe vs. two good defenders
When players legitimately become offensive centerpieces, they often see opponents throw different types defenders at them throughout a game. Royce Young of Daily Thunder expects the physically imposing Kendrick Perkins and fleet-of-foot Serge Ibaka to each guard Monroe tonight. It will be a good test for Monroe as he moves toward becoming the focal point of the Pistons’ offense.
3. No sneaking
The Thunder are an elite team, but like all elite teams, they’re not invincible. A loss of focus, and even one of the NBA’s worst teams could beat them. Unfortunately for the Pistons, Oklahoma City already had its slipup – a loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, which was the Thunder’s only loss in their last nine games.
Rodney Stuckey to return against shot-limiting Trail Blazers
Essentials
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Jan. 21, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
- Pistons: 3-13
- Trail Blazers: 9-6
Probable starters
Pistons:
- Brandon Knight
Ben GordonRodney Stuckey (Gordon is hurt)- Tayshaun Prince
- Ben Wallace
- Greg Monroe
Trail Blazers:
- Raymond Felton
- Wesley Matthews
- Gerald Wallace
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Marcus Camby
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +7
Over/under: 179
Score: Trail Blazers win, 93-86
Three things to watch
1. The streak
The Trail Blazers have beaten the Pistons six straight games. This obviously makes sense, because in the last three years, the Trail Blazers have been a good team and the Pistons have been a bad team. Neither facct has changed.
2. Rodney Stuckey’s favorable matchup – at least compared to Detroit’s other perimeter scorers
The Trail Blazers force a lot of turnovers, rebound defensively well and send their opponents to the free-throw line often. That means they don’t allow many field-goal attempts, which presents a problem for Detroit’s jump shooters who rely on being in a rhythm.
Rodney Stuckey – who will play, according to David Mayo of MLive.com – could benefit. His drives and ability to get the line aren’t as predicated on rhythm.
3. Greg Monroe vs. LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a rookie, and he he raised those numbers to 17.8 and 7.6 in his second year. Greg Monroe has made a similar jump – 9.4 and 7.5 to 15.7 and 9.6 – from year one to year two.
Seeing these two go head-to-head will show both what Monroe’s future might look like and how far Monroe has to go.
