Essentials

Essentials

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Houston Rockets

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Essentials

Date: March 7, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 21-41

Houston: 31-30

Probable starters

Detroit:

PGSGSFPFC
   
Chucky
Atkins
Richard
Hamilton
Tayshaun
Prince
Jonas
Jerebko
Jason
Maxiell

Houston:

PGSGSFPFC
Aaron
Brooks
Kevin
Martin
Shane
Battier
Luis
Scola
Chuck
Hayes

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +1.5

Over/under: 197.5

Score: Houston wins, 100-98

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.8 (24th)

Detroit defensive rating: 109.2 (20th)

Detroit pace: 88.8 (29th)

Houston offensive rating: 106.7 (14th)

Houston defensive rating: 106.7 (14th)

Houston pace: 93.7 (8th)

Score: Houston wins, 99-96

Outlook

  • I’ve always said if the roles were reversed and Will Bynum was a first-round pick and Rodney Stuckey had been undrafted, Bynum would be starting for this team. Tonight, we’ll probably get to see how Bynum plays with the starters.
  • Chuck Hayes must be looking forward to his matchup with Jason Maxiell, given it’s probably the only time he’s not drastically undersized.
  • Is Luis Scola still considered underrated? Either way, he’s very good.
  • Without Stuckey and Ben Wallace, I don’t think the Pistons have much of a shot.
  • UPDATE: Chucky Atkins will start at point guard, according to Chris Iott of MLive. I suspect Bynum will get more minutes than him, though.