Essentials

Essentials

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics

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Essentials

Date: Jan. 20, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 14-26

Boston: 27-12

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Rodney
Stuckey

Richard
Hamilton

Jonas
Jerebko

Chris
Wilcox

Ben
Wallace

Boston:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Rajon
Rondo

Ray
Allen

Paul
Pierce

Rasheed
Wallace

Kendrick
Perkins

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +6

Over/under: 187

Score: Boston wins, 97-91

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.6 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.1 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.5 (29th)

Boston offensive rating: 108.7 (10th)

Boston defensive rating: 101.7 (3rd)

Boston pace: 91.7 (21st)

Score: Boston wins, 98-92

Outlook

  • Rasheed Wallace returns to The Palace tonight, and I hope he gets a loud ovation. He wasn’t perfect here, but Chauncey Billups wasn’t either – and there was no doubt he’d be cheered.
  • Jamie Samuelson and Rob Otto chime in on Wallace’s legacy.
  • Richard Hamilton will play tonight, according to Chris Iott of MLive.com. Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum  are out. Chris Wilcox is questionable.
  • The Pistons begin a six-game home stand tonight, and this is a great opportunity to make up ground in the playoff race.
  • I won’t be around, but check out Daily Dime Live to chat during the game.