http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... _agai.htmlPistons expect close game against lowly Nets
The Detroit Pistons have beaten the lowly New Jersey Nets two times this season. But it has not been easy. The teams met twice in a five-day span in February with the Pistons claiming a 97-93 victory on the road and a 99-92 win at home. The teams meet for the final time this season Friday night at Izod Center. "It doesn't matter who you face," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "What you have to do is have the approach that we've had in (two) games with them. We've played well. And they have played well also."
The Nets have just four victories at home this season and an NBA-low eight victories overall. But the Pistons have just seven wins on the road, so it likely will be another close game.Kuester said the Nets are better than their record indicates. "It's never as bad as it seems or as good as it seems," he said. "Every team has issues, but one of the things about New Jersey is they've got some guys that play hard." The Nets have a talented combination in 6-foot-3 point guard Devin Harris, who averages 17.5 points and 6.7 assists, and 7-foot center Brook Lopez, who averages 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Harris is averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 assists in two games against the Pistons this season, and Lopez is averaging 23.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. "Throughout the entire season, they have had moments where they've been outstanding," Kuester said. "You've got an all-star point guard in Devin Harris. You've got a big man in Brook Lopez that, you have somebody to go into the post and then you surround him with some of the players that they do have. They're talented." The Pistons have lost their past six games and 13 of their past 15. The Nets beat Sacramento 93-79 on Wednesday.
