Detroit VS Washington Tank-Battle, 6PM

[closg00]

The Detroit Pistons continued their season-high win streak by extending a run at home against one of the NBA's worst teams. Now they get a chance to do the same to another such club.

The Pistons have won their last seven meetings at The Palace of Auburn Hills against the Washington Wizards, who enter Sunday night's matchup with a 1-10 road mark.

Detroit's four-game win streak is its longest since a five-game run Dec. 4-12, 2009. The Pistons (8-20) beat New Jersey for the 10th straight time at home in Friday's 109-92 rout.

"Our guys have a good rhythm," coach Lawrence Frank said. "We have to continue to raise the bar, continue to do better, but we're playing with a good rhythm and a good spirit."

Greg Monroe had 18 points and 11 boards for his fourth straight double-double. He's averaging 20.0 points and 12.5 boards and shooting 62.5 percent during that run.

Detroit has won eight of its last nine against Washington (5-22), which last won at the Palace with a 99-96 victory Jan. 26, 2007.

None of the Wizards who played in that game are still with the team, which is enduring growing pains as it prepares to begin a five-game road trip. Washington's 1/3 homestand was capped by Friday's 106-89 loss to Miami.

The Wizards shot 38.2 percent and allowed the Heat's trio of stars -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh -- to total 68 points. JaVale McGee and Trevor Booker each had double-doubles.

"We've got to go to Detroit on Sunday and go in there with the attitude that we had tonight," interim coach Randy Wittman said. "We just gotta keep building what we're doing, five games, 10 or 11 days, I think, we'll see where we are mentally.

"We had a grueling stretch here at home with some good teams and now we have to go out on the road after playing a game like this."

The 7-foot McGee, a Michigan native, will be counted on to provide resistance in the middle against the 6-11 Monroe. McGee is shooting 70.8 percent with a total of 38 points in five career games at Detroit.

The Wizards, though, have more to worry about than Monroe. Rodney Stuckey is averaging 14.5 points in this win streak and Jonas Jerebko has totaled 36 points in the last two games.

"We're a very young team and with a young team chemistry is going to take a while; trying to feel each other out as far as trying to develop it," forward Tayshaun Prince said. "I expected us to play faster, create turnovers and just go and when that happens it opens up things for us and guys get more comfortable."

Sunday's game features the first point guard matchup between Detroit rookie Brandon Knight and Washington second-year guard John Wall, who each spent a year at Kentucky before bolting for the NBA.

Knight has shown flashes of strong play for the Pistons while Wall is averaging 25.0 points on 52.8 percent shooting over his last three games.

"Times are rough right now but just keep working as a player, make sure you're getting better, make sure you keep leading these guys," Wall said.

[dlts20]

Shard is the key. Does anyone know if he's playing? Detroit is hot but has beat all bad teams except the Bucks. The NY-Stuckey and McGee-Monroe matchups should be great since I think Javale is back on track now. Wall will be hyped to go against the Kentucky PG.

We are all happy Dray & Shard arent starting but I think we are still better if atleast one of them are on the bench because they play against backups and can score against them. We have trouble scoing from the frontcourt when going to the bench. If we had that one player then we would look more complete. If he's back this game and off the bench then we will be balanced it could/should win IMO

[hands11]

http://www.truthaboutit.net/2012/02/pat ... ntent=ESPN

Encouraging words from the Miami team.

[closg00]

Wow, I thought the Verizon center was empty for some games.

[hands11]

Wow, I thought the Verizon center was empty for some games.

I thought my volume was broken on my TV is it so quiet.

[hands11]

Wall out of control twice already.

[7-Day Dray]

McGee is letting DET score in the paint with ease.

[Ruzious]

Wall out of control twice already.

Again, maybe he was out of control, but there wouldn't be a problem if someone who understand the game was running with him. Both times, Booker ran the court and was totally useless. Instead of being there to be an outlet to throw to, he runs right behind Wall and doesn't help him out. Supposedly, the Wiz are committed to running. If Wall is the only one running, he's not the problem.

[hands11]

Third bad play by Wall and its still the first quarter.

[Veselyfan]

2 nice assists by Wall to Jan for a layup and a dunk..

[Ruzious]

Notice with Vesely running the court, the fast break a helluvalot better - to say the least. Booker - despite his stop-watch speed just doesn't get up court like Vesely. It was a bonus when Detroit fumbled a defensive rebound backwards, and Booker was there to cherry-pick, but... why was he still there?

[hands11]

What an strange game.

Its going to be hard for players to focus with so little energy in the stadium.

Its so quiet. It's kind of making it not that fun to watch.

[Veselyfan]

Nice block by Jan... Tough rookie season,but I still believe in him

[Jimmy Recard]

Vesely looking decent early. Great timing on that blocked shot.

[hands11]

Get Crawford out of the game.

7 minutes 1-5 shooting and he is forcing it one on one. What the F is wrong with his head. Dude. Really ?

Without his shooting they would be 12-21

[Ruzious]

Get Crawford out of the game.

7 minutes 1-5 shooting and he is forcing it one on one. What the F is wrong with his head. Dude. Really ?

+1. He just kills the team when he's off - as he has no conception of what a bad shot is. Then again, the Wiz don't have shooters out there, so who is supposed to shoot?

[hands11]

I dont mind him shooting but do he and Nick have to dribble the ball every time they touch it?

[hands11]

OMG Crawford is chucking them up tonight.

[Earth2Ted]

Does JaVale realize that Monroe is lefty? Didn't look like it that last trip down.

[hands11]

This is painful watching Nick and Crawford.

Its a painful game to watch as it is but these two are making me want to change the channel.