Game 7: Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons [Game Thread]

NBA Regular Season Game  7
	@
3-2 (1-1 away)		2-4 (1-1 home)
Palace of Auburn Hills 76ers Blog:  Liberty Ballers
November 8, 2009  1:00 PM ET
TV: Fox Sports Detroit  Radio: 97.1 The Fan
Probable starters:
Lou Williams	PG	Rodney Stuckey
Andre Iguodala	SG	Ben Gordon
Thaddeus Young	SF	Jonas Jerebko
Elton Brand	PF	Charlie Villanueva
Samuel Dalembert	C	Ben Wallace

According to ESPN,  the Pistons 2-4 start is their worst since 2000-2001.  The Pistons will have a good chance to get back on track in this year's first Sunday afternoon game against the Philadelphia 76ers.  

Detroit returns to the Palace of Auburn Hills for a pair of home games before hitting the road again next weekend.  The 3-2 Philadelphia 76ers come into town fresh off a hard fought win over the now 0-7 New Jersey Nets.  Despite it's winning record, the 76ers are giving up 106 points per game compared to their 103 points for per game.  Their offensive ranking compared to their defensive rankings thus far in the season are nearly exact opposites of the Pistons.  It should also be noted that their three wins have come against the Bucks, Knicks, and Nets while their losses have been blow outs dealt by the Magic and Celtics.

If you haven't heard by now, Tayshaun Prince is out indefinitely with a ruptured disc in his lower back.  Depending on how it responds to treatment, he may or may not need season ending surgery.  Richard Hamilton will also miss Sunday's game as he is still recovering from a sprained right ankle.  He is considered day-to-day.  Jonas Jerebko will get his fourth consecutive start of the season and Ben Gordon will get his sixth.  

As for the keys, the 76ers are not afraid to pop threes, so the Pistons will need to make sure they are getting back to the perimeter with enough time to force difficult shots as opposed to wide open looks.  Obviously, another main concern lately has been the Pistons inability to play a full 48 minutes.  I don't think it's unreasonable to set a goal that no team should ever score 35 or more points in a quarter against them.  

Detroit played poorly in early Sunday games last year, so they need to come out strong to prove that was just a last year thing.  Hopefully, they spent Saturday night in their homes and watched CNN or Fred Clause or something.

Tip off is at 1 PM EST.  If anything, watching the Pistons and joining the chatter in the game thread is an excuse to stay away from watching the Lions play in Seattle, because it's been nine years since the Lions have won a road game in November.

Go Pistons!