Game Preview: Detroit vs. Charlotte
By Dan Feldman
When
Date: April 5, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Records
Detroit: 36-40
Charlotte: 34-42
Probable starters
Detroit:
Rodney
StuckeyRichard
HamiltonTayshaun
PrinceAntonio
McDyessKwame
Brown
Charlotte:
Raymond
FeltonRaja
BellGerald
WallaceBoris
DiawEmeka
Okafor
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Detroit -2
Over/under: 175
Score: Detroit wins 89-87
Statistical projection
Detroit offensive rating: 106.9 (21st)
Detroit defensive rating: 107.9 (14th)
Detroit pace: 86.8 (29th)
Charlotte offensive rating: 104.8 (27th)
Charlotte defensive rating: 105.7 (7th)
Charlotte pace: 88.3 (27th)
Score: Tie 93-93
Outlook
Don’t let anyone fool you. This is not a must-win game. The Pistons lead the Bobcats by two games. Even if the Pistons lose, they’ll still have a one-game advantage.
And four of Charlotte’s next five games are on the road.
Sure, a win today would help a lot. But a loss isn’t the end of the world.