Pistons at Hornets, 2.25.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (27-28) at New Orleans Hornets (33-22)
Spread: Hornets -8.5
My Pick: Hornets by 11

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. RIP Hamilton. No one on the Hornets can match up with RIP. Defensive specialist James Posey is too big and too slow to chase Hamilton around screens all night.
2. Law of Averages. The Pistons have to win eventually...right?
3. Depth. The Hornets have virtually no depth at any position but small forward. Assuming that Jason Maxiell’s number comes up in rotation roulette, he could have a big game.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. Chris Paul. Depending upon what one thinks of Kobe Bryant, an argument can be made that the Pistons are on game four of a five game stretch in which they play the NBA’s five best players (Duncan, LeBron, Wade, Paul, Howard). The Pistons struggle to defend quicker guards like Ramon Sessions and Devin Harris. Against Paul, the possibilities are downright scary.
2. David West. At this stage in their careers, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess lack the quickness to stay with West. Also, he could burn the Pistons with jumpers if the Pistons have to help off of him to contain Paul.
3. Back to Back. The Pistons are 0-5 in the second half of a back to back in 2009.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 87, New Orleans 90
Notes:

• As far as moral victories go, this was as good as it gets. The Pistons played hard and actually outscored New Orleans by six after Iverson left with an injury.
• Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson are out of the rotation. Curry typically re-shuffles the deck two or three times per month, so they should return to the court before long.
• Chris Paul has mastered an old Chauncey Billups trick. When Paul has a defender chasing him, he often will stop on a dime. The result is that the pursuing defender tends to run into Paul and commit a foul. Rodney Stuckey was victim of the tactic tonight.
• Rasheed blew a fuse after a no-call on a push from behind as he tried to grab a rebound. He disagreed with a second call a few plays later and made sure the refs knew his feelings. Sheed earned himself at least a few days of vacation with the outburst.
• Another no-call on an over-the-back may have been the difference in the game. With just over 30 seconds remaining, David West pushed his way toward a critical offensive rebound. The refs swallowed their whistles.
• The Hornets’ bench is atrocious.