Coming off a competitive effort against the Mavericks, the Pistons now have the opportunity to play San Antonio, on the road, in the second game of a back-to-back.
Game tips at 8:30 pm ET
Detroit Pistons: 11-22 (3-14 Road)
San Antonio Spurs: 20-12 (14-5 Home)
Oppo Research
Once again, the Spurs have been written off by the chattering class. Once again, they have demonstrated that they are able to compete with the best of the west, despite only playing their big three and average of 87 mpg total.
I'll spare you my "research" on Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. We know what they do. As usual, the Spurs have surrounded them with an intriguing cast of complimentary players. That cast includes Richard Jefferson and our (once) very own Antonio McDyess. Both have been modest disappointments, though McDyess typically plays his best minutes after the all-star break, and Jefferson seems to be improving as he gets more comfortable.
Less disappointing has been the play of "The Right" DeJuan Blair. He leads his team in rebounds per 40 minutes, which is surprising to precisely 29 people. He and McDyess have allowed Duncan to get some unprecedented rest. Other than that, this team is vintage Spurs. Duncan is the inside threat, Tony and Manu handle the ball, and the rest of the team fetches rebounds or pops out for open three pointers.
The Drama
McDyess has noted that he doesn't understand the decision to trade Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. Dude, all we did was trade one of the best guards of the decade at both ends of the floor for a selfish little punk who doesn't play defense. What's not to get? Antonio McDyess clearly does not understand basketball.
Keys for Detroit
Ben Gordon Needs Redemption - I fail to see how this is any less true now than it was last night.
Get something from three point range - I'm going to hide this in the two spot so maybe Mike Payne won't notice it. Last night, Detroit shot 5-17 from three point range, even though Charlie V. went 4-6! That's 1-11 for the rest of the team.
Find Charlie V. on the inside - It seems counterintuitive, what with Tim Duncan and all, but truth be told, they have been vulnerable to younger frontcourt players (e.g. Beasley and Bosh).
Question of the Game
When will it stop? I'm on my last pint of vodka, and this gun only has so many empty chambers.
Valuable Links
Pounding The Rock. Spurs blog madnees. Go see!