Game Preview: Detroit at Washington
By Dan Feldman
When
Date: March 28, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Records
Detroit: 34-37
Washington: 17-56
Probable starters
Detroit:
Rodney
StuckeyRichard
HamiltonTayshaun
PrinceAntonio
McDyessKwame
Brown
Washington:
Gilbert
ArenasJavaris
CrittentonDominic
McGuireAntawn
JamisonAndray
Blatche
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Detroit -4
Over/under: 191
Score: Detroit wins 98-94
Statistical projection
Detroit offensive rating: 106.9 (20th)
Detroit defensive rating: 107.7 (13th)
Detroit pace: 86.8 (29th)
Washington offensive rating: 104.9 (26th)
Washington defensive rating: 113.5 (29th)
Washington pace: 90.7 (17th)
Score: Detroit 98-94
Outlook
Richard Hamilton will be back today, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Since returning to the starting lineup, he has produced a lot. The Pistons went 6-3, and Hamiltons’ per-game numbers have been pretty outstanding.
23.7 points — more than Carmelo Anthony’s season average.
8.1 assists — more than Baron Davis’s season average.
6.4 free throw attempts — more than Richard Jefferson’s season average.
But he also had 3.6 turnovers per game in the stretch — more than Steve Nash’s season average.
The Pistons went 1-5 while Hamilton was injured, and they should be better with him. But I’d like to see a more efficient Hamilton return, not the one who has looked like he’s trying to impersonate Allen Iverson. After all, that’s why Michael Curry changed the lineup.