Game Preview: Detroit at Orlando

Date: Feb. 27, 2009

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Detroit record: 27-29

Orlando record: 42-15

Detroit probable starters:

Rodney

StuckeyRichard

HamiltonTayshaun

PrinceAntonio

McDyessRasheed

Wallace

Orlando probable starters:

Rafer

AlstonCourtney

LeeHedu

TurkogluRashard

LewisDwight

Howard

Spread: Detroit +9.5

Outlook: The Magic are tied for first in the NBA in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made. It’s a huge reason they have the league’s fourth best record.

Detroit, on the other hand, is 26th in percentage and 28th in makes. The Pistons poor shooting beyond the arc has a lot to do with their odds of making the playoffs falling to 44.3, according to ESPN.com’s John Hollinger.

There’s no quick fix for this disparity, as much as Michael Curry thinks giving Walter Herrmann more minutes will work.

In a much more significant move, Hamilton has replaced Iverson in the starting lineup. Iverson is back in Detroit for tests on his back, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

The Magic are also shorthanded with Jameer Nelson still out.

• Tonight’s game is available on ESPN 360. Unfortunately, the service is unavailable to those with Comcast or Time Warner.