3-19. 3-19. 3-19.
Game Vitals
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ.
When: 9 p.m. ET, Dec. 12, 2014.
Watch: FSD Plus
As Much Analysis As I Can Muster
Bleurgh!!!!
The Pistons need their own version of beer goggles, where everything will look better, rather than a flaming heap of excrement.
The Pistons enter the showdown on the back of their 13th consecutive loss, which came at home vs. Portland. As usual, we dug a very nice hole for ourselves before the "hustle group" extricated the team, only for said "hustle squad" to burn out and wither away, succumbing to a 98-86 loss. Greg Monroe had a usual team-topping performance, with 22 points and 10 boards, while Andre Drummond added 10 and 15 and Old Man Butler scored 13.
One thing about the Pistons is that they appear to play their best once they're down big, using the deficit as motivation. If they can find that mojo and bottle it for 48 minutes, those magical, yet rare occurrences called wins may begin to happen. Also, Josh Smith had his minutes mercifully capped at 21 vs. Portland. Hopefully a precursor of the future rotation.
Phoenix lost last start to Miami, 103-97, after leading late. Marcus Morris led the team with 25 and 5 rebounds, but more interest around these parts will be on a potential Round 2 between KCP and Markieff Morris, after some verbal jousting spiced up the last encounter.
Players To Watch
Pistons: Brandon Jennings
BJ is in a massive funk after starting out so brightly. His field goal percentage is back under 40 after a string of terrible games, including an 0-11, as well as only a solitary free throw vs. Portland. His passing hasn't suffered, but it's clear he's still bothered by the thumb.
Suns: Gerald Green
Can you say vertical? Off the backboard dunks in the halfcourt? 40 percent three-point shooter? Yep. Plus he's on my fantasy team.
Last Time We Met
Nov. 19 when the Suns won by two, 88-86, after Jennings' halfcourt buzzer-beater proved in vain. There was some side value however, with the aforementioned fracas between KCP and Morris. Jennings had 19 and 7 assists while Monroe added 18 and 12 boards. Bledsoe led Phoenix with 18.
Score Prediction
Stuff it. We are gonna win tonight. Smith will shoot 9-10 on jumpshots, Jennings will go for 40 and Drummond will have a 20-20 game.
Kool-Aid Prediction: Pistons 114, Suns 107
Real Prediction: Suns 118, Pistons 100
Lineup Prediction
Pistons: Jennings, Caldwell-Pope, Singler, Smith, Drummond
Suns: Bledsoe, Dragic, Tucker, Mark. Morris, Miles Plumlee
Injuries
Pistons: Meeks (back-PROBABLE)
Suns: Thomas (ankle-probable)
Community Question
Which prediction, kool-aid or real?