Pistons at Magic, 2.27.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (27-29) at Orlando Magic (42-15)
Spread: Magic -9.5
My Pick: Magic by 4

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. Starting Lineup. Allen Iverson will not start (or play). Despite the man’s Hall of Fame credentials, the Pistons should be much better off without him in the starting lineup.
2. Happier Hamilton. RIP should be eager to back up his words and prove that he belongs in the starting lineup.
3. Big Bodies. The Pistons have at least three players – and possibly four – that are capable of slowing down Dwight Howard. Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess both have the strength and veteran savvy to frustrate Howard. Jason Maxiell did an excellent job using leverage and positioning to contain Howard during last year’s playoffs. Lastly, Kwame Brown was superb against Shaq; he may be able to replicate his success against Orlando’s Superman. While no team can stop Howard, the Pistons are better-suited than most to limit his production.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. Rashard Lewis. Lewis could kill the Pistons from behind the arc if Wallace and McDyess are slow to close out on him.
2. Stoppable Force. The Pistons are 22nd in offensive efficiency. The Magic are third in defensive efficiency. Scoring could be a serious challenge for the Pistons tonight.
3. Friday. The Pistons have lost three consecutive Friday games, none of which occurred during the current eight-game losing streak.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 93, Orlando 85
Notes:

• The last nine games should end any and all questions about whether Allen Iverson should be starting. Since Iverson’s injury, the Pistons outscored New Orleans by six and Orlando by eight.
• Hamilton reverted to 2003 form, running around picks, drilling mid-range jumpers, and drawing fouls. RIP attempted 10 free throws in a game for the first time since November 13. Too often this year, RIP has relied on isolation or taken difficult three pointers. It was nice to see the old RIP back.
• Jon Barry on Rodney Stuckey: “I think it’s been easier for Stuckey to not have Allen Iverson here because [Iverson] demands the ball so much.” I concur. Stuckey scored 22.
• Kwame Brown appears to have improved his free throw shooting. He was shooting below 40 percent in mid-January, but he has made four in a row. His form looks much better than it did earlier in the season.
• Will Bynum struggled badly. Every other Piston – with the possible exception of Rasheed Wallace, who missed a number of makeable shots – played well.