Game Preview: Detroit vs. Golden State

Date: March 6, 2009

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Detroit record: 30-29

Golden State record: 21-40

Detroit probable starters:

Rodney

StuckeyRichard

HamiltonTayshaun

PrinceAntonio

McDyessRasheed

Wallace

Golden State probable starters:

Jamal

CrawfordMarco

BelinelliKelenna

AzubuikeStephen

JacksonRonny

Turiaf

Spread: Detroit -9

Projected score: Detroit wins 101-100

Outlook: The Pistons should win this game. Just more than a week ago, it was tough to see Detroit winning another game this season. So, this is progress.

But the Pistons turned their fortunes around by beating first-place teams. It remains to be seen if they have the focus to beat bad teams.

Last year, the Pistons lost just nine games to lottery teams. This year, they’ve already lost 11 to teams that wouldn’t makes the playoffs if they started today.

And Detroit has the worst home record of all teams that would be in the playoffs if they started today.

So, although this game seems like a gimme, a win would show a lot of progress.