Essentials

Essentials

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers

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Essentials

Date: Jan. 9, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 11-23

Philadelphia: 10-25

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Rodney
Stuckey

Richard
Hamilton

Tayshaun
Prince

Jason
Maxiell

Ben
Wallace

Philadelphia:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Lou
Williams

Willie
Green

Andre
Iguodala

Thaddius
Young

Samuel
Dalembert

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit –4.5

Over/under: 191.5

Score: Detroit wins, 98-94

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.5 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109 (22nd)

Detroit pace: 88.2 (29th)

Philadelphia offensive rating: 106.5 (17th)

Philadelphia defensive rating: 110.9 (28th)

Philadelphia pace: 91.4 (24th)

Score: Philadelphia wins, 97-96

Outlook

This game was supposed to mark Allen Iverson’s return to The Palace, but he’s expected to miss tonight’s matchup after re-injuring his knee last night in Toronto. Looks like even playing for another team won’t stop him from sitting out yet another Pistons game.

Hopefully Detroit can use this opportunity to end its eleven-game losing streak. Though Iverson is averaging a full twelve points fewer per game in scoring than his career average, he’s still Philadelphia’s third-leading scorer. His absence may be just the boost the Pistons need to snap out of this funk.