http://smokingpistons.com/2009/12/02/lo ... -december/Looking Forward to December
After losing seven straight games, the Pistons delivered one of their better efforts of the season with a 94-88 win over the Atlanta Hawks this past Sunday. What made the win so impressive was it came against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and the Pistons did not have Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, or Ben Gordon. Also, Charlie Villanueva played just 19 minutes after he suffered a broken nose. The Pistons simply wanted the game more, and that was likely a result of players normally limited in minutes getting more extensive run. The Pistons out-rebounded the Hawks 53-27, getting 18 boards from Ben Wallace and another 11 from Jonas Jerebko. They also limited the Hawks to just eight free throws, and at the end of the day, John Kuester’s healthy players proved quite a bit. Still, as I projected prior to the season, the Pistons enter December with a 6-11 record.
Before we take a look at the upcoming month, let’s assess some key injuries to the team.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->- <!--[endif]-->Richard Hamilton has missed all but one game this season after suffering a severely sprained ankle on opening night. “Hamilton came down on his tow and stretched the four ligaments and various tendons that surround the joint ankle,” according to FSN Detroit’s Eli Zaret. There’s still no timetable for his return and we can probably expect him to miss at least the next three games.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->- <!--[endif]-->Tayshaun Prince was the reigning Iron Man in the NBA prior to a back injury taking him out of all but the first three games of the season. While the rehab has been positive, he is still unable to jump or move laterally. Expect him to be out for another week at the minimum.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->- <!--[endif]-->Ben Gordon has missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, but reported that it was “feeling pretty good” following Monday’s practice. He could return tonight against the Bulls, his former team.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->- <!--[endif]-->As mentioned above, Villaueva broke his nose in Sunday’s win. He had surgery to repair the damage on Monday and is traveling with the team to Chicago. He will wear a mask a la Richard Hamilton and shouldn’t miss more than one game, if any.
On to December:
12/2 – at Chicago. I expect Gordon to be amped up to face his former teammates and that adrenaline should allow him to play on his sore ankle. The Bulls have lost five straight and this is their first game back from a six-game road trip. They are 4-1 at home this season. Look for a strong defensive effort from Joakim Noah and the Bulls to limit the Pistons firepower. Assuming Villanueva is limited, Pistons loss. (6-12)
12/4 – vs. Milwaukee. The Pistons fell in Milwaukee 85-96 on Halloween, but the Bucks will be without Michael Redd this time. Stuckey must do a better job against Brandon Jennings, who outscored him 24-13 in the first matchup. Stuckey shot just 6-of-19 that game. Still, the Bucks are just 2-5 on the road, and I expect Villanueva to come out strong against his former team. Pistons win. (7-12)
12/6 vs. Washington – One of the Pistons only two road wins of the season came in Washington, but the Wizards are playing much better since the return of Antawn Jamison. This game will come down to which Gilbert Arenas shows up. Pistons loss. (7-13)
12/9 at Philadelphia – Allen Iverson is undoubtedly looking forward to his matchup against Rodney Stuckey, meaning this one could get ugly. While Philly has struggled this season, they matchup very well with the Pistons. A healthy Prince and/or Hamilton would make a difference in this game, but it’s optimistic to count on them as of now. Pistons loss. (7-14)
12/10 vs. Denver – Detroit will likely welcome back Chauncey Billups, but the Nuggets may show a little wear and tear as this the fourth game into their road trip. Jonas Jerebko will have to focus almost entirely on the defensive end to frustrate Carmelo Anthony, but Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon should keep this one close. Pistons win. (8-14)
12/12 vs. Golden State – The Pistons have struggled against teams that push the pace making this a tougher matchup than initially expected. However, the Warriors have lost their last four games that came as the second part of a back-to-back, which this game will be. Look for the Pistons’ defense to limit the damage by the free-wheeling Warriors. Pistons win. (9-14)
12/15 at Houston – The Rockets play a style with which the Pistons have had some success this season, but they will probably have Tracy McGrady back by this time. I also expect one or both of Hamilton and Prince to be back for the Pistons by this game. The Rockets are just 1-3 in their last four home games and I expect this one to be close. Pistons win. (10-14)
12/16 at New Orleans – The team will make the short trip from Houston to New Orleans where they will take on a healthy Chris Paul. Should Hamilton and Prince both be back for this game, I think the Pistons can handle them. But being the second game of a road back to back, and the slow progress of those two players to date, the odds are in the Hornets favor. Pistons loss. (10-15)
12/18 at Oklahoma City – The Thunder handled the Pistons in Detroit during the first meeting between these two and should be able to do so on a Friday night at home. This is the third and final game of the Pistons road trip. Pistons loss. (10-16)
12/20 vs. Lakers – The Pistons fell by 10 to the Cavaliers in their first home game following a Western Conference road just last week and I expect a similar scenario here, regardless of how healthy the home team is. The Lakers are just too good. Pistons loss. (10-17)
12/22 at Charlotte – Charlie Villanueva and company crushed the Bobcats earlier this season and the Bobcats’ slow-it-down style plays right into the Pistons hands. Although 6-3 at home to date, I expect the Pistons to win this one. Especially if they’re coming off of three straight losses. Pistons win. (11-17)
12/23 vs. Toronto – The Raptors won the previous meeting between these two up in Toronto, but they’re just 2-8 on the road and 7-12 overall. I expect the Pistons to be 100 percent by this game and to handle the Raps rather easily. Pistons win. (12-17)
12/27 at Toronto – With a four day break over Christmas, the Pistons will look to repeat their previous performance against the Raptors. I actually like John Kuester to have his team better prepared for the rematch than Raptors coach Jay Triano. Pistons win. (13-17)
12/29 vs. Knicks – The Pistons should be looking to extend their winning streak, but the Knicks will present a touch matchup. Thankfully, the game comes in Detroit and a healthy Pistons squad should be able to handle the run and gun Knicks. Still, this game will got to the hotter shooting team. Pistons win. (14-17)
12/31 vs. Bulls – The Pistons end the month just as they started it against the Bulls, and will look for a positive vibe to take into the new year. They could also conceivably be looking for their fifth straight win. This will be a hotly contested game between two central teams that are in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack. Pistons loss (14-18)
That’s an 8-7 December. Aside from the two games against the Bulls, I’m very interested in seeing how Kuester handles the up-tempo pace of the Warriors and Knicks. We’ll know whether or not they should seriously contend for a playoff spot when they take on the Raptors back-to-back sandwiching Christmas. Hamilton and Prince should be back to 100 percent by that point and they need to prove they are indeed are a better team than the Raptors, a team that has had very similar results as the Pistons to date.
