by Ky Carlin
The Detroit Pistons are coming off a tough 99-83 loss at home against the Chicago Bulls where the Pistons shot 40.9 percent from the field and are averaging the NBA’s third-worst scoring average at 86.8 points. First year coach Lawrence Frank’s team failed to win its third straight game.
“I’m not questioning effort,” said Frank, “I’m more conerned with the execution on both ends of the court. We had shots at the rim and in the paint that we didn’t execute and turned into transition situations for them.”
Leading scorer Ben Gordon struggled on his way to seven points on 2-10 shooting. While Greg Monroe had team-highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Damien Wilkins came off the bench and added 10 points. The Pistons last season ranked last in the NBA with 4.0 blocks per game and rank near the bottom this season with 2.5 blocks per game.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said Gordon, “Even though we won our last two games I wouldn’t say we arrived.”
While the Pistons(2-4) are still a work in progress, the Philsdelphia 76ers(3-2) have to feel pretty good about themselves. They’re coming off a 5 game road trip in which they went 3-2 and come home for their season opener.
In their last game the 76ers beat the New Orleans Hornets 101-93 outscoring the Hornets 34-20 in the 4th quarter. Jrue Holiday led the way with 23 points(14 in the 4th quarter) while picking up the slack for leading scorer Lou Wiliiams only scoring 10 points. Evan Turner hopped off the bench and scored 21 points.
The Sixers are averaging an Eastern Conference-best 29.8 points in the 4th quarter and return home to Philadelphia first place in the Atlantic Division. The Sixers have lost three of their last 4 home openers. The Pistons took two of three from the 76ers last season and have taken seven of nine overall against Philly. The Pistons however have lost both their road games this season by double-digits.
If the Pistons want to win this game they’re going to have to have swift ball movement, play stingy defense, and grind it out. If they move the ball and run the offense they took good shots, if they take good shots that sets up the defense on the other end. If they set up the defense that helps them grind games out and make the Sixers play to their tempo.
“I’m not questioning effort,” said Frank, “I’m more conerned with the execution on both ends of the court. We had shots at the rim and in the paint that we didn’t execute and turned into transition situations for them.”
Leading scorer Ben Gordon struggled on his way to seven points on 2-10 shooting. While Greg Monroe had team-highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Damien Wilkins came off the bench and added 10 points. The Pistons last season ranked last in the NBA with 4.0 blocks per game and rank near the bottom this season with 2.5 blocks per game.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said Gordon, “Even though we won our last two games I wouldn’t say we arrived.”
While the Pistons(2-4) are still a work in progress, the Philsdelphia 76ers(3-2) have to feel pretty good about themselves. They’re coming off a 5 game road trip in which they went 3-2 and come home for their season opener.
In their last game the 76ers beat the New Orleans Hornets 101-93 outscoring the Hornets 34-20 in the 4th quarter. Jrue Holiday led the way with 23 points(14 in the 4th quarter) while picking up the slack for leading scorer Lou Wiliiams only scoring 10 points. Evan Turner hopped off the bench and scored 21 points.
The Sixers are averaging an Eastern Conference-best 29.8 points in the 4th quarter and return home to Philadelphia first place in the Atlantic Division. The Sixers have lost three of their last 4 home openers. The Pistons took two of three from the 76ers last season and have taken seven of nine overall against Philly. The Pistons however have lost both their road games this season by double-digits.
If the Pistons want to win this game they’re going to have to have swift ball movement, play stingy defense, and grind it out. If they move the ball and run the offense they took good shots, if they take good shots that sets up the defense on the other end. If they set up the defense that helps them grind games out and make the Sixers play to their tempo.
