Preview: Pistons (-5) @ Wizards 7PM EST

The Detroit Pistons are sitting on a 14.5 game lead over Cleveland in the Central Division. But, the Pistons are also trying for their 50th win of the season and their eigth straight at the Verizon Center. Detroit's last contest was a 106-101 victory @ The Palace over Chicago. The Wizards are on a 2-game skid dropping losses to Boston and Miami.

The Wizards have trouble against teams like the Pistons that allow their opponents less than 91 points a game. The Pistons are going to be motivated for this game and are going to be seeking revenge for the very early overtime loss at home to this same Washington team.

Detroit's Card:

· RIP is shooting 49.7% from the field. Talk about efficient. 21 points per game.
· Billups is putting up 20 points a game and just about 9 assists a game.
· Sheed and Big Ben providing tough defense and pointing up some points as well. If Sheed gets involved, as in working down low and scoring and then taking those open 3 point looks, this game will be over

Those 4 will all put up about 36 minutes each game.

Others/Bench: Prince has been a bit cold lately, McDyess, Evans, Delk, Delfino. Mostly Evans and McDyess will get the time off the bench. Maybe 18-25 points off the bench.

Wizard's Card:

· Arenas the ace of this team. Playing 42 minutes a game, putting up 29 ppg with 5 assists a game. More of a scoring threat than Billups, but more turnover prone. Defensively tough as well.
· Jamison and Butler average 20ppg and 16 ppg respectively.
· Hayes, Daniels, Haywood, Jeffries. This team is deep. The seven players listed above all average over 20 minutes a game.


Ball Don't Lie...
So, enough around the bush. The Wizards are a solid basketball organization. This particular team should contend with Miami down the stretch and should be contending for a playoff spot. Tonight, they are going to see a rested Pistons team. They aren't thinking about dropping two to the Wizards. Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups are going to be talking all business tonight. Final score: 105-98 Detroit