RealGM

( 29 - 13 ) V's ( 16 - 26 )

Wednesday 23rd of January 2008
Time 7pm
WDFN 1130am
FSN Detroit, NBALP
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA

At
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA



Billups/Hamilton/Prince/McDyess/Wallace





Miller/Green/Iguodala/Evans/Dalembert

INJURY REPORT

No injuries to report.


Herbert Hill Knee (out).

TEAM LEADERS

Richard Hamilton 18.8ppg
Antonio McDyess 8,4rpg
Chauncey Billups 7.1apg & 1.4spg
Rasheed Wallace 1.45bpg


Andre Iguodala 19.1ppg & 2.26spg
Samuel Dalembert 10.1rpg & 2.52bpg
Andre Miller 6.2apg

I had to recover this guy from page 2. i guess we are all real excited for Dalembert!

But in all seriousness, I'd really like to win this game... by a lot.

Pistons by 20, anything less and i'll be disappointed...

*watch me cry as we get blown out, with willie green dropping 40 on us*

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... ic_bu.html

While the level of concern among the Pistons is clear, they're nowhere close to being in panic mode following a season-high three game losing streak. If anything, Detroit's Flip Saunders was encouraged by his team's play in the latest defeat, a 102-100 loss at Orlando on Monday."We played as a team and our unit competed," Saunders said after the loss. "You can live with guys going out and competing."

That's a question many fans are asking about a Pistons team that hasn't resembled the squad that reeled off 11 straight wins earlier this season."Nothing is where it needs to be right now," Billups said. "We are going through a rough patch. Nothing is all the way right. We have had some stretches where things were perfect and we know where to get back to. We are on our way back. We just have to stay poised and keep plugging away at it."

Detroit has won 10 of its last 12 against Philadelphia, which includes an 83-78 win at The Palace on Nov. 23. The Pistons played that game without Wallace, who was out with a sore left knee. ... Detroit hasn't lost four straight since the 2004-2005 season (Jan. 18-24, 2005).

Should be an interesting game though I'm sure you guys win. Things to look out for:

- Sheed would be most effective against Dalembert if he scores the majority of his points from the perimeter and pulls Sam out of the paint. If Sam is on his game, it could be tough to get points inside. Of course, we have no legit PF outside of a rookie, Jason Smith. Smith, at this point, is an intangible who looks like a solid vet some nights and a rookie others.

- McDyes and Evans should be a nice physical battle inside.

- Though he's not in our starting lineup (though should be by most fans' accounts), Thaddeus Young (the first SF we've had in ages with decent size and reach) should be a nice matchup against Prince. Unless Young's hand is still hurting, I think many Pistons fans will reconsider this kid's upside. Few weeks back, many of the Detroit faithful had his potential much lower than Amir's.

- The Sixers' backcourt is horrid at stopping penetration from many of the faster guards in the league (Chris Paul, Ford, etc.). While RIP is great at moving without the ball, it should be interesting to see if Green, Carney, or Iguodala can slow him down.

- Miller does a nice job on some of the taller guards in this league. Billups versus Miller should be a nice matchup.

- The easiest way to defeat the Sixers if via the 3 point shot. This team is horrible at defending the perimeter. If your long range shots are falling, we're pretty much toast.

- One things not to be fooled by is our starting lineup. It's actually our backups primarily: Carney, Thaddeus, Lou Williams, Sam, Smith) that pose the greatest risk. These guys can run most teams out of the gym. Mo is just starting to play them as a unit and it can be argued that they play better D and are more athletic than our starters. Miller is a savy veteran but he lacks William's speed and ability to get to the line. Evans is great at rebounding but not much else. Anyway, should be an interesting game.

STChaser

This has to be a solid win for us. If its a loss or even a close game, then I think we definitely have to look at a trade, or just something to show our guys they aren't safe and shouldn't get complacent. I would even say bench Prince and another starter, again to show them they aren't safe and they have to earn their minutes just like everybody else.

What the hell happened to Prince? I don't follow Detroit religiously but up til your playoff series against the Cavs last season, he had always impressed me. The kid was automatic, had great range and a nice touch around the rim, and played decent D considering his frame. Has his output really trailed off that much? I've read repeated posts now from fans who are disappointed in him.

STChaser

Its not that I'm disappointed in him, its just wish he was more aggressive. In past years, he didn't need to be aggressive, but I think now for us to be successful, we need Prince to be aggressive on offense. If he and Sheed always played motivated and aggressive, I think Detroit would be by far the best team in the league, but the problem is they don't, so we aren't.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/DETPHI_ ... eview.html

The skinny: The 76ers appear to be just what the Pistons require to break their first three-game losing streak of the season. Philadelphia is 2-9 for January and coming off a 110-103 home loss to Indiana on Monday. Since losing to the Pistons in late November, Philly has fired Billy King and pirated Ed Stefanski from New Jersey