These ponies are looking happier

Opponent File
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons play in the The Palace At Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, MI. Their 2004 - 2005 record was 54 - 28 (first in the Central). Here's the Detroit Pistons roster.

Local Papers:
Detroit Free Press | Pistons
Detroit News | Pistons
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Pistons
ESPN.com | Pistons
FoxSports | Pistons
NBA.com | Pistons
Sportsline.com | Pistons

Head Coach: Flip Saunders
2005 Draft: F Jason Maxiell (#26), Cincinnati; F Amir Johnson (#56), Westchester HS (CA); G Alex Acker (#60), Eisenhower HS (CA).
New Players: C-F Dale Davis (Free Agent); G Maurice Evans (Free Agent).
Season Goal: Make the NBA Finals again while having fun and perhaps not always playing the right way (but scoring more points for sure...).
Record vs. Nets: 0 - 0

Other Opponent Files

Detroit Pistons (10 - 2) - Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Flipping Out
My goodness are the Pistons happy to be out from under ex-coach Larry Brown's thumb. True, they won one title and came within two games of a second under Larry Legend, but new coach Flip Saunders has the team playing its usual selfless defense while FILLING UP THE HOLE! What a concept.

Fifth in the NBA in offense (at 99.3 ppg) while seventh in defense (91.7 ppg) is impressive, especially when you consider there has been no major change in personnel. Rip Hamilton tops the scoring sheets, but Tayshaun Prince, Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace are right there behind him.

Just what the Nets need immediately after their return from the West Coast. Can the Pistons flip off the Nets and do their thing behind Saunders' direction? Or will L. Frank and Co. find ways to flip the lid off Ben Wallace's 'fro and secure a home win?
- Joe

Detroit Pistons Cheat Sheet
The Story From Detroit:
Will C Darko Milicic, who never played under ex-coach Brown, ever play? He's had issues with his intensity, apparently, especially when he's not in the game early. "I warm up before the game and when I come in early, I am ready," Milicic said. "But when I sit and come in late in the fourth quarter, I am cold. Coming in early is much, much better for me."

Oh, well, that explains it. Have a great career there, Darko.

Pain Game: G Lindsey Hunter (left ankle surgery) is out.

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© 2005 Shawn Belschwender and Michael Kozlowski