Richard Hamilton Out Against Orlando

Although not surprising, it's disappointing Detroit will be without one of its best players, Richard Hamilton, on Tuesday against the undefeated Orlando Magic due to a sprained right ankle. 

Via the Detroit News:

"He will not play tomorrow, and (strength and conditioning coach) Arnie (Kander) lists him after that as day to day," coach John Kuester said. "He's getting treatment and he's worked real hard to get back into the flow of things, but it's taking a little bit of time."

Presumably, Ben Gordon will receive his third straight start.  

Detroit needs to play four quarters worth of basketball on Tuesday to keep up with the Magic.  As they have proved in the last two defeats, they can't hang with anyone if they collapse like they have after halftime.  It doesn't matter if Rip is in the lineup or not.