Pistons vs. Warriors, 3.06.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (30-29) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-40)
Spread: Pistons -9
My Pick: Pistons by 16

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. Which Warriors? Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf, and Brandan Wright are all out tonight. Kelenna Azubuike is questionable. The other Warriors periodically sit out games for no reason other than Don Nelson’s coaching creativity, for lack of a better term. The Warriors were mediocre to begin with. Without half of their rotation, tonight’s game could get out of hand. (Update: Turiaf played, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette did not.)
2. Little Big Men. Without Biedrins, Turiaf, and Wright, the Warriors will play one of weakest frontcourts the NBA has seen all season. There are D-League teams with comparable, if not better, big men than Golden State will use tonight.
3. Chuckers. The healthy Warriors include Stephen Jackson and Jamal Crawford, two volume scorers shooting below 42% for the season. The Pistons offense should be far more efficient against the no-defense Warriors.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. No Respect. The only way tonight’s game will be close is if the Pistons fail to respect their opponents as legitimate NBA players. The Pistons have a huge edge in talent, but NBA wins are earned, not given away.
2. Corey Maggette. Maggette is the type of bruising wing who gives Tayshaun Prince trouble. If he goes off, he could keep the game competitive.
3. They Won’t. The Pistons will not have an easier game on the schedule all season. If they lose tonight, Bill Davidson should pull a Mark Cuban and threaten to trade the entire roster.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 108, Golden State 91
Notes:

• PG Monta Ellis, SG Kelenna Azubuike, SF Stephen Jackson, PF Brandan Wright, C Andris Biedrins, and sub Corey Maggette. The top-six players in the Warrior rotation? Not last night, when those were the six Warriors who took the night off.
• The 63-40 first half score was indicative of the difference between perfect execution and none.
• Stuckey has played much better defense since the recent lineup switch. He did OK defending shooting guards, but has been far better against point guards.
• What did Kwame Brown do to earn Amir Johnson's minutes? What could Michael Curry have possibly seen from Kwame Brown that impressed him?