gspeedaddict
12-11-2005, 05:57 PM
GAME: Detroit Pistons (14-2) at Los Angeles Clippers (14-5).
TIME: Sunday, 9 p.m. EST.
Owners of the best record in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons look to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers.
Detroit, which has also won four in a row away from home, is an NBA-best 9-1 on the road.
The defending Eastern Conference champions began a three-game trip with a 106-103 win at Golden State on Friday. The formula was a familiar one for Detroit, which executed down the stretch and closed with a 14-9 run over the final 2:33.
"We're used to those kinds of situations," Detroit guard Richard Hamilton said. "Everyone knew that coming out in the fourth quarter, we had to execute some plays and control their offense."
A key to Detroit's late-game prowess has been the decision-making of Chauncey Billups. The point guard has taken advantage of the increased offensive freedom provided by new coach Flip Saunders. The 2004 NBA Finals MVP is averaging career highs of 17.8 points and 8.3 assists.
"I could look into Chauncey's eyes and I can tell when he wants to try and take games over," said Saunders, who coached Billups in Minnesota from 2000-02.
Detroit has won five straight against Los Angeles, and used a balanced attack to sweep the season series in 2004-05. Every Piston starter averaged between 15.0 points and 17.0 points in the two victories.
Rasheed Wallace has turned in two straight big games for Detroit, averaging 24 points on 52 percent (16-of-31) shooting. Wallace has not had three straight games with at least 20 points since April 3-6, 2003.
Los Angeles is trying to complete a perfect five-game homestand after a 101-91 victory over Phoenix on Saturday. The Clippers snapped the Suns' NBA season-high nine-game winning streak to move one game in front of Phoenix for the division lead.
Elton Brand notched his 13th double-double of the season with 27 points and 13 rebounds to lead Los Angeles. Brand averaged 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last season against the Pistons.
Los Angeles, which is limiting opponents to an NBA-low 40.7 percent shooting, has used terrific defense in the fourth quarter during its streak. It yielded 14 fourth-quarter points against Miami last Sunday, 16 against New York on Wednesday and 15 against the Suns on Saturday.
The Clippers have played the bulk of their early schedule against East foes, going 8-3. Their 9-1 home record is tied with defending NBA champion San Antonio for the best in the league.
Los Angeles swingman Corey Maggette is unlikely to see action for the third straight game due to a sprained left foot.
STANDINGS (through Dec. 10): Pistons - 1st place, Central Division. Clippers - 1st place, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Pistons - F Rasheed Wallace, F Tayshaun Prince, C Ben Wallace, G Hamilton, G Billups. Clippers - F Quinton Ross, F Brand, C Chris Kaman, G Cuttino Mobley, G Sam Cassell.
TEAM LEADERS: Pistons - Hamilton, 21.8 ppg; Ben Wallace, 11.4 rpg; Billups, 8.3 apg. Clippers - Brand, 24.9 ppg and 10.8 rpg; Cassell, 7.6 apg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Pistons, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: April 1; Pistons, 97-84. At Auburn Hills, Mich., Prince scored 23 points as all five Pistons starters reached double figures against the undermanned Clippers, who played without the injured Maggette, Ross and Kaman.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Pistons - 9-1 on the road; Clippers - 9-1 at home.
TIME: Sunday, 9 p.m. EST.
Owners of the best record in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons look to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers.
Detroit, which has also won four in a row away from home, is an NBA-best 9-1 on the road.
The defending Eastern Conference champions began a three-game trip with a 106-103 win at Golden State on Friday. The formula was a familiar one for Detroit, which executed down the stretch and closed with a 14-9 run over the final 2:33.
"We're used to those kinds of situations," Detroit guard Richard Hamilton said. "Everyone knew that coming out in the fourth quarter, we had to execute some plays and control their offense."
A key to Detroit's late-game prowess has been the decision-making of Chauncey Billups. The point guard has taken advantage of the increased offensive freedom provided by new coach Flip Saunders. The 2004 NBA Finals MVP is averaging career highs of 17.8 points and 8.3 assists.
"I could look into Chauncey's eyes and I can tell when he wants to try and take games over," said Saunders, who coached Billups in Minnesota from 2000-02.
Detroit has won five straight against Los Angeles, and used a balanced attack to sweep the season series in 2004-05. Every Piston starter averaged between 15.0 points and 17.0 points in the two victories.
Rasheed Wallace has turned in two straight big games for Detroit, averaging 24 points on 52 percent (16-of-31) shooting. Wallace has not had three straight games with at least 20 points since April 3-6, 2003.
Los Angeles is trying to complete a perfect five-game homestand after a 101-91 victory over Phoenix on Saturday. The Clippers snapped the Suns' NBA season-high nine-game winning streak to move one game in front of Phoenix for the division lead.
Elton Brand notched his 13th double-double of the season with 27 points and 13 rebounds to lead Los Angeles. Brand averaged 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last season against the Pistons.
Los Angeles, which is limiting opponents to an NBA-low 40.7 percent shooting, has used terrific defense in the fourth quarter during its streak. It yielded 14 fourth-quarter points against Miami last Sunday, 16 against New York on Wednesday and 15 against the Suns on Saturday.
The Clippers have played the bulk of their early schedule against East foes, going 8-3. Their 9-1 home record is tied with defending NBA champion San Antonio for the best in the league.
Los Angeles swingman Corey Maggette is unlikely to see action for the third straight game due to a sprained left foot.
STANDINGS (through Dec. 10): Pistons - 1st place, Central Division. Clippers - 1st place, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Pistons - F Rasheed Wallace, F Tayshaun Prince, C Ben Wallace, G Hamilton, G Billups. Clippers - F Quinton Ross, F Brand, C Chris Kaman, G Cuttino Mobley, G Sam Cassell.
TEAM LEADERS: Pistons - Hamilton, 21.8 ppg; Ben Wallace, 11.4 rpg; Billups, 8.3 apg. Clippers - Brand, 24.9 ppg and 10.8 rpg; Cassell, 7.6 apg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Pistons, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: April 1; Pistons, 97-84. At Auburn Hills, Mich., Prince scored 23 points as all five Pistons starters reached double figures against the undermanned Clippers, who played without the injured Maggette, Ross and Kaman.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Pistons - 9-1 on the road; Clippers - 9-1 at home.