Essentials

Date: March 10, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 22-41

Utah: 41-22

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Will Bynum	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Jason Maxiell

Utah:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Deron Williams	Wesley Matthews	Andrei Kirilenko	Carlos Boozer	Mehmet Okur

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +6

Over/under: 202

Score: Utah wins, 104-98

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 104.0 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.1 (20th)

Detroit pace: 88.9 (29th)

Utah offensive rating: 110.4 (6th)

Utah defensive rating: 104.6 (8th)

Utah pace: 93.1 (12th)

Score: Utah wins, 100-95

Outlook

• Rodney Stuckey will not play tonight, according to the AP. No surprise there.
• Will Bynum and Jason Maxiell are both coming off great games against Houston. If the Pistons can get something close to repeat performances out of them, the team may have be able to keep it close against this very good Utah squad.
• Check out another preview of tonight’s game at Salt City Hoops.

Essentials

Date: March 7, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-41

Houston: 31-30

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Chucky Atkins	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Jason Maxiell

Houston:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Aaron Brooks	Kevin Martin	Shane Battier	Luis Scola	Chuck Hayes

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +1.5

Over/under: 197.5

Score: Houston wins, 100-98

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.8 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.2 (20th)

Detroit pace: 88.8 (29th)

Houston offensive rating: 106.7 (14th)

Houston defensive rating: 106.7 (14th)

Houston pace: 93.7 (8th)

Score: Houston wins, 99-96

Outlook

• I’ve always said if the roles were reversed and Will Bynum was a first-round pick and Rodney Stuckey had been undrafted, Bynum would be starting for this team. Tonight, we’ll probably get to see how Bynum plays with the starters.
• Chuck Hayes must be looking forward to his matchup with Jason Maxiell, given it’s probably the only time he’s not drastically undersized.
• Is Luis Scola still considered underrated? Either way, he’s very good.
• Without Stuckey and Ben Wallace, I don’t think the Pistons have much of a shot.
• UPDATE: Chucky Atkins will start at point guard, according to Chris Iott of MLive. I suspect Bynum will get more minutes than him, though.

Essentials

Date: March 5, 2010

Time: 7 p.m.

Television: ESPN

Records

Detroit: 21-39

Cleveland: 48-14

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Cleveland:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Mo Williams	Anthony Parker	LeBron James	Antawn Jamison	J.J. Hickson

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +12

Over/under: 201.5

Score: Cleveland wins, 107-95

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.9 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.1 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.8 (29th)

Cleveland offensive rating: 111.9 (2nd)

Cleveland defensive rating: 103.8 (7th)

Cleveland pace: 91.1 (25th)

Score: Cleveland wins, 99-94

Outlook

Pain.

Essentials

Date: March 3, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-39

New York: 20-39

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

New York:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Sergio Rodriguez	Tracy McGrady	Danilo Gallinari	Al Harrington	David Lee

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +4

Over/under: 205

Score: New York wins, 105-101

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.8 (26th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.7 (20th)

Detroit pace: 88.7 (29th)

New York offensive rating: 106.1 (18th)

New York defensive rating: 109.9 (25th)

New York pace: 94.1 (7th)

Score: New York wins, 98-97

Outlook

Though they stayed in the game with the Celtics in last night’s 105-100 loss, the Pistons have now lost four straight. Again. Detroit won’t make the playoffs. New York won’t either. You probably don’t want to watch this game alone, so head over to Daily Dime Live tonight for at least some form of guaranteed entertainment. (Did we mention how awesome it is?)

Essentials

Date: March 2, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-38

Boston: 36-21

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Boston:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rajon Rondo	Ray Allen	Paul Pierce	Kevin Garnett	Rasheed Wallace

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +4.5

Over/under: 189

Score: Boston wins, 97-92

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.7 (26th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.6 (20th)

Detroit pace: 88.7 (29th)

Boston offensive rating: 106.8 (15th)

Boston defensive rating: 102.2 (2nd)

Boston pace: 91.7 (21st)

Score: Boston wins, 97-93

Outlook

• If Rajon Rondo has 10 assists today, he’ll set a Celtics record with eight straight games with double-digit assists. So maybe the Pistons could stop that streak. It’s more likely than snapping their three-game losing streak.
• Check out Celtics Hub’s preview.
• Join me in Daily Dime Live tonight. It’s awesome.

Essentials

Date: Feb. 27, 2010

Time: 10:30 p.m.

Television: None

Records

Detroit: 21-37

Golden State: 16-41

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Golden State:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Stephen Curry	Monta Ellis	Devean George	Ronny Turiaf	Andris Biedrins

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +4

Over/under: 208.5

Score: Golden State wins, 106-102

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 104.0 (25th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.9 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.4 (29th)

Golden State offensive rating: 106.5 (16th)

Golden State defensive rating: 110.1 (26th)

Golden State pace: 100.4 (1st)

Score: Golden State wins, 102-101

Outlook

• Patrick Hayes of Full-Court Press has a nice review of last night’s game. I definitely agree with his opening point.
• Pistons Nation also has thoughts on playing the Nuggets that are definitely worth a read.
• Big game tonight for Ted Kulfan.
• When’s the last time the Warriors were favored?

Essentials

Date: Feb. 26, 2010

Time: 9 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-36

Denver: 38-19

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Denver:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Chauncey Billups	Arron Afflalo	Carmelo Anthony	Kenyon Martin	Nene

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +9.5

Over/under: 203.5

Score: Denver wins, 107-97

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 104.0 (25th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.8 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.3 (29th)

Denver offensive rating: 112.4 (2nd)

Denver defensive rating: 107.2 (16th)

Denver pace: 95.2 (5th)

Score: Denver wins, 101-97

Outlook

• The Pistons have won seven straight against Denver. It’s tough to see that streaking continuing tonight.
• Check out Daily Dime Live during tonight’s game.

Essentials

Date: Feb. 23, 2010

Time: 10:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-35

Los Angeles: 23-33

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Los Angeles:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Baron Davis	Eric Gordon	Rasual Butler	Craig Smith	Chris Kaman

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +4

Over/under: 189.5

Score: Los Angeles wins, 97-93

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.9 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.7 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.4 (29th)

Los Angeles offensive rating: 103.3 (26th)

Los Angeles defensive rating: 108.2 (19th)

Los Angeles pace: 92.2 (19th)

Score: Tuie, 96-96

Outlook

• The Pistons have won 6-of-10. But don’t get too worked up about that. Only two of their opponents (Spurs and Magic) had winning records, and their opponents’ combined winning percentage (.359) is worse than the Wizards’.
• If you don’t want to take my advice and want to get worked up about it: the Pistons are just 6.5 games out of the playoffs.
• Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton have been awesome lately.
• Hamilton has made 51 straight free throws – 11 shy of Joe Dumars’ team record. Micheal Williams, whom the Pistons drafted, holds the NBA record with 97 straight makes in 1993.
• Russ Bengston of Slam tells an amazing story about how Chris Kaman and Juwan Howard met (hat tip: Jeff Pearlman):

The shots weren’t falling, the first half was going to hell, and the tall, weird-looking blond kid in the third row just wouldn’t shut up.

“Yo Webber, you SUCK! Hey Jalen, why are your shorts so big? Nice haircut, Juwan! And you…I don’t even know who you are! How does it feel being NOBODY!!?? Duke is kicking your ass!”

During the next time out, Webber motioned to Jalen. “Yo, what’s up with that kid?” “No idea,” Rose said, tugging on his shorts. “How old you think he is? Twelve?”

Somehow, the kid heard. “I’m NINE! And my daddy drove me all the way from Grand Rapids to watch you guys play, not listen to you talk. Aren’t you supposed to be the ‘Fab Five’? Why don’t you try and win or something?”

Try they did, forcing overtime, but in the end, the Blue Devils proved too much. And as the Wolverines trudged off, the kid—who had never shut up—drew himself to his full height and let loose one final salvo: “HEY LOSERS! MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER ZANE KAMAN, AND YOU’D BETTER REMEMBER ME!”

Howard stopped and turned, looked him straight in the eye. For the first time all night, the kid seemed to shrink back. “Yeah, I’ll remember you,” Howard said. “You can count on that.”

• I’m hoping to chat in Daily Dime Live during the second half of tonight’s game.

Essentials

Date: Feb. 23, 2010

Time: 10:00 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 20-35

Sacramento: 18-38

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

Sacramento:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Tyreke Evans	Donte Greene	Omri Casspi	Carl Landry	Jason Thompson

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +2.5

Over/under: 196

Score: Sacramento wins, 99-97

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.7 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.8 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.4 (29th)

Sacramento offensive rating: 105.7 (20th)

Sacramento defensive rating: 110.5 (28th)

Sacramento pace: 94.7 (6th)

Score: Tie, 98-98

Outlook

• Detroit follows up its Sunday win against the Spurs with a West-coast road trip. This four-game stint includes games against three of the four worst teams in the West, beginning tonight against a struggling Sacramento squad.
• The Kings are still working on getting acclimated to their current roster. Last week’s trade gave them 16 players and they’ve been battling recent injuries as well, which doesn’t help the team’s stability. Sacramento has put a different group of starters on the court in each of the last three games. None of those groupings have resulted in wins.
• Dan’s still out of town, but if you’re lucky you might be able to catch him at Daily Dime Live. He might show up during the second half of tonight’s contest, but no guarantees.

Essentials

Date: Feb. 19, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 19-33

San Antonio: 31-22

Probable starters

San Antonio:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Rodney Stuckey	Richard Hamilton	Tayshaun Prince	Jonas Jerebko	Ben Wallace

San Antonio:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
George Hill	Roger Mason	Keith Bogans	Richard Jefferson	Tim Duncan

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +5

Over/under: 187

Score: San Antonio wins, 96-91

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.4 (25th)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.9 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.5 (29th)

San Antonio offensive rating: 109.4 (7th)

San Antonio defensive rating: 104.6 (10th)

San Antonio pace: 91.6 (22nd)

Score: San Antonio wins, 99-94

Outlook

• Tony Parker is out, according to Timothy Varner of 48 Minutes of Hell.
• Of course, Antonio McDyess is returning to The Palace. I hope he gets a nice ovation when he checks in.
• I’m looking forward to the Jonas Jerebko-Richard Jefferson matchup.
• If Tim Duncan doesn’t destroy the Pistons inside, they’ll have a chance, but probably lose. If he’s a beast inside, they have no chance.
• Varner is at The Palace and participating in Daily Dime Live, so check it out.