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Opponent File
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons play in the The Palace At Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, MI. Their 2006 - 2007 record was 53 - 29 (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
2007 Draft: G Rodney Stuckey (#15), Eastern Washington; G Aaron Afflalo (#27), UCLA; G Sammy Mejia (#57), DePaul.
New Players:G Jarvis Hayes (Free Agent).
Season Goal: Once again, be one of the finalists in the East while getting the younger crowd more playing time.
Record vs. Nets: 1 - 0
G17: Pistons 118, Nets 95


Other Opponent Files

Detroit Pistons (20 - 7) - Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Factory Finish
The Detroit Pistons are 10 - 2 since the Nets last saw them 24 days ago. The Nets? Well, can you believe they're actually 4 - 6 (it seems like worse)? Showing the polish that comes from years of togetherness, and finishing off teams at a rapid clip, Detroit outworked and outexecuted the formerly unbeaten at home Celtics last week, and they're starting to make some noise that they might be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Riding like a dream right now is the front line of Wallace, Wallace and Prince, and of course Chauncey Billups has a habit of getting the best of Jason Kidd, so this will be one tough sale at the Izod for New Jersey. The young'uns on the Jersey side will have to be all that they can be to keep the low scoring Nets driving and stop them from dropping another home game, Let the post-holiday clearance sales begin, but there's a big, measuring-stick game to be played tonight.

Why Should You Watch? If they can't compete against the Pistons, even at home, then you will truly know that this team is in for a long season. Based on the matchup early this month, you would expect to be worried. Can Jason Kidd get another trip doub vs. Chauncey? Can Sean and Josh possibly keep the Wallace boys under wraps for a complete game? Vince Carter needs to explode in this one, but he's usually bothered by the much more physical Pistons. And Richard Jefferson usually has nightmares about Tayshaun Prince. Let's not also forget the game that Jason Maxiell had against the Nets, and see if there is anything the frontline of NJ can do about it. Lawrence Frank is starting to feel the pressure of slow starts and controversy, but can he truly motivate this bunch to play at a higher level tonight?
- Joe

Detroit Pistons Cheat Sheet
The Story From the Motor City: From the Detroit Free Press: The Pistons say they understand how quickly things can change and count their blessings that five seasons after first getting past the Nets, they're still the team to beat in the East.

"It seems like we stick together," forward Antonio McDyess said, "and everyone knows what it will take to get a win. We've been doing that lately."

There haven't been many periods over the last five seasons -- although a couple of playoff series spring to mind -- when the Pistons have legitimately lost that ability.

But in December, they've gone 11-2 and won with both great offense and stingy defense.

"Just seems like it's been a long time since our defense has been like this," McDyess said. "It just seems like everyone is on the same page."

Pain Game: Detroit has reported no injuries of note. C Nenad Krstic (knee rehab) and G Antoine Wright (ankle) are out for the Nets.

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