Pistons at Celtics, 3.01.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (28-29) at Boston Celtics(47-13)
Spread: Celtics -9
My Pick: Celtics by 5

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. Starting Lineup. For the second consecutive game, the Pistons are using a lineup that makes sense.
2. Inside Presence. The Celtics will be playing without Kevin Garnett. Without him, reserve Leon Powe is their only big who can score.
3. Stuckey. The Eastern Washington product appeared to find his rhythm, his jump shot, and his confidence in the first game he did not have to defer to have Iverson. Rajon Rondo is an excellent defender, so this should be a good test of whether Stuckey’s last game was a sign that he has emerged from his slump, or merely a one-game blip on the radar.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. Boston's Backcourt. For the past several seasons, the Pistons have entered most matchups with a major edge in talent in the backcourt. Against Rondo and Ray Allen, that will not be the case this afternoon.
2. Sunday Blues. The Pistons are 1-10 on Sundays this season. Ouch.
3. Paul Pierce. Pierce is exactly the type of player who gives Tayshaun Prince trouble at both ends of the court. Prince dominates smaller players because of his ability to post them up and contest their shots on the other end. Against a bruising forward like Pierce, Prince will likely be outmuscled for position on both ends of the floor.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 105, Boston 95
Notes:

• The Pistons have beaten all six division leaders. No other team can make that claim.
  Michael Curry sure looks like a much better coach without Iverson. This does not excuse the fact that he has handled Iverson terribly – both in terms of minutes and play-calling – but the Pistons should give Curry a chance without Iverson next season. If Curry struggles next season, then Dumars needs to find a replacement.
• Walter Herrmann provided a spark in the first half with 11 points on 4-4 shooting.
• The Pistons played suffocating defense down the stretch. During the final six and a half minutes, they limited Boston to eight points on 2-7 shooting.
• RIP Hamilton was awesome. 25 points on 12 shots to go with nine assists for the man who never should have been forced to sit in favor of Allen Iverson.
• 105 points in a low possession game for the Pistons. The ball was moving, the jump shots were falling, and the whistle was blowing (40 free throw attempts) for Detroit.