Struggling Magic to host Pistons
DET, with an NBA-best 40-8 record, comes to TDW tonight, to play the Magic who are 19-28 and have lost 6 of their last 7 games. The Pistons bring a road mark of 18-6 in, but have lost their last two road games to ATL and IND. The Magic are 13-11 at home.
The Pistons are led by Rip Hamilton, averaging 21.6 ppg. Three other players, Chauncey Billups (18.8 ppg), Rasheed Wallace (15.1 ppg), and Tayshaun Prince (14.8 ppg) average in double figures. Of course, Big Ben Wallace (12.4 rebs, 2.3 blocks per game) is an imposing defensive presence. Antonio McDyess and Maurice Evans are key players off the bench. New Pistons coach Flip Saunders has done an outstanding job in his first season, as the Pistons have proven they are much better offensively than under the Larry Brown regime, while their defense remains just as imposing as before.
The Pistons are favored by 7 pts tonight (www.pinnaclesports.com), and rightfully so. The Magic are coming off a 94-89 2 OT loss to MIL. Poor FG shooting and 21 TOs really hurt the Magic. TDW should be just about sold out tonight, as I'm sure many people want to see the Pistons in action. If the Magic get energized by the big crowd, maybe somehow they could pull off a huge upset. If ATL can bet DET, so could the Magic (even though ATL beat the Magic also). They will have to play almost a perfect game to have a chance, which means fewer TOs, better offensive execution, good contributions off the bench, and solid defense. Will BHill ever make good use of his bench instead of wearing down the starters? I'd like to see Diener get some good minutes... he could really energize the crowd and the team with his dead-eye shooting.
The Pistons are led by Rip Hamilton, averaging 21.6 ppg. Three other players, Chauncey Billups (18.8 ppg), Rasheed Wallace (15.1 ppg), and Tayshaun Prince (14.8 ppg) average in double figures. Of course, Big Ben Wallace (12.4 rebs, 2.3 blocks per game) is an imposing defensive presence. Antonio McDyess and Maurice Evans are key players off the bench. New Pistons coach Flip Saunders has done an outstanding job in his first season, as the Pistons have proven they are much better offensively than under the Larry Brown regime, while their defense remains just as imposing as before.
The Pistons are favored by 7 pts tonight (www.pinnaclesports.com), and rightfully so. The Magic are coming off a 94-89 2 OT loss to MIL. Poor FG shooting and 21 TOs really hurt the Magic. TDW should be just about sold out tonight, as I'm sure many people want to see the Pistons in action. If the Magic get energized by the big crowd, maybe somehow they could pull off a huge upset. If ATL can bet DET, so could the Magic (even though ATL beat the Magic also). They will have to play almost a perfect game to have a chance, which means fewer TOs, better offensive execution, good contributions off the bench, and solid defense. Will BHill ever make good use of his bench instead of wearing down the starters? I'd like to see Diener get some good minutes... he could really energize the crowd and the team with his dead-eye shooting.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 3:55 AM
4 Comments:
At 9:27 AM,
Big Figure said…
I guess the best thing to do is,start picking the number of points the magic will lose by,i say by seven in regulation to the pistons,hope i'm wrong!
At 9:38 AM,
Matt said…
I have a feeling that Dr. Jekyll's side of the Magic will show up tonight, and will make the game interesting. We have seen enough of Mr. Hyde's side. It's a bold pick but I pick Magic to win by 2.
At 1:26 PM,
OVERWADED said…
I'm thinking win also. I really couldn't have said it any better than Matt. This team has two personalities. It's just another one of those "low points" for the Magic, and usually when they're looking like this, is the same time they tend to surprise everyone and get our hopes up again. Magic by 4...
At 3:46 PM,
Big Figure said…
B/c we're at home it makes it a safe bet to go with the magic,and it aint like there's any money on the line,so taking them against detroit is ok too,the magic usually play better team ball at home,we run better,we pass better,just an all around better team at home,doesnt mean we always win but we compete longer at home in my opinion,when the fourth comes around we arent acting like we want to quit,or take all the shots as individuals,it's a shame when i have to split up what i hope will happen and what i think will happen,hope we win,but dont think we will,sums up the magic dont it!
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