Game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST
San Antonio Spurs (42-8, 17-6 away)
at
Detroit Pistons (19-32, 13-11 home)
Line: Spurs by 6.5
Pre-game News:
Stuckey, Rip, Maxiell, and Wilcox are all listed as game-time decisions. According to Vince Ellis, Wilcox sounded as if he'd be available tonight and Rip would test his groin during pre-game. Matt Dery announced shortly thereafter that Rip is active, but wasn't sure if he could play. UPDATE: Rip is out with a sore groin.
Situation:
If you've been one of the fans chanting "We want Rip" at The Palace lately, this is definitely the game you'd want him to play. He averaged 28 points per game against the Spurs last year in a season split. FWIW, Hamilton hasn't played at The Palace since January 8.
As for the Spurs, well, they're pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. They have a shot to be just the seventh team in NBA history to start a season with a 43-8 or better record and are doing it while averaging 104 points per game (3rd best offensive rating in the game).
The Pistons have a chance, though, as the Spurs have lost six of their eight on the road and two of their last six. Woah, 4-2 is their worst six-game stretch this season. They did lose three of seven last month, so hopefully it repeats itself with a Pistons win tonight. (Sorry, not many rainbows here).
Given all the turmoil with the Pistons these days, the Spurs are still getting it done with a core of Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker. Duncan has been banged up lately and has kind of taken a back seat to Ginoboili and Parker this season, but don't be mistaken -- the Spurs keep on rolling thanks in very large part to Tim Duncan.
This also marks another homecoming of sorts for Antonio McDyess, who is seeing 18 minutes per game and racking up five and five. This could very well be 'Dyess's last trip to The Palace.
Now your thoughts, after checking out Pounding the Rock