Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Essentials

Date: Jan. 31, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 15-30

Orlando: 31-16

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Rodney
Stuckey

Richard
Hamilton

Tayshaun
Prince

Chris
Wilcox

Ben
Wallace

Orlando:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Jameer
Nelson

Vince 
Carter

Matt
Barnes

Rashard
Lewis

Dwight
Howard

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +5

Over/under: 187

Score: Orlando wins, 96-91

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.1 (26th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.2 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88.4 (29th)

Orlando offensive rating: 108.5 (11th)

Orlando defensive rating: 103.1 (6th)

Orlando pace: 92.9 (14th)

Score: Orlando wins, 99-93

Outlook

Remember when this six-game home stand was supposed to be a chance to get back in the playoff race? A loss today would mean 1-5. One and five.

The Pistons will probably give up a ton of 3-pointers tonight.

Will Bynum is doubtful, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News makes a case for Austin Daye playing more, and I agree with the sentiment. But DaJuan Summers isn’t better “at creating shots for (himself) and teammates” than Tayshaun Prince. Today would present a good matchup for Daye, by the way.