Game Preview: Detroit vs. Charlotte
By Dan Feldman
Date: Jan. 13, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Detroit record: 22-13
Charlotte record: 14-24
Detroit probable starters:
PG- Rodney Stuckey
SG- Allen Iverson
SF- Richard Hamilton
PF- Tayshaun Prince
C- Rasheed Wallace
Charlotte probable starters:
PG- Raymond Felton
SG- Raja Bell
SF- Gerald Wallace
PF- Boris Diaw
C- Emeka Okafor
Spread: Detroit -8
Outlook: The big question tonight is how the small-ball lineup will play. After I analyzed the merits of starting Iverson or Hamilton, Pistons coach Michael Curry started them both.
This lineup has an excellent turnover difference, but it rebounds poorly.
There shouldn’t be many defensive problems tonight. The biggest issue on that end with this lineup is Prince is forced to guard a power forward. But Diaw isn’t the low-post presence that should cause problems.
- This game also features several Bobcats with local ties – head coach Larry Brown (former Detroit coach), Nazr Mohammed (former Piston) Juwan Howard (former Michigan player) and Shannon Brown (former Michigan State player).