Its kind of hard to get up for this game even as a fan there is not much excitment surrounding this game. The Pistons just have to come out and take care of business and get a win. There should be no let down and when you look at both teams one is coming off a high win(pistons) and the other coming of a tough lose(bobcats). Detroit should win this game and try to use the bench in a game like this the starters have come back down a little. Pistons should win perdicting a 106-91

Nice call vthomp. Using the bench extensively in this game is a great way to maintain the intensity level against one of the weakest teams in the league. Being without Okafor makes this even more lopsided.

Put guys in there that are hungry for minutes. Don't bring them all in together, but mix them in with the starters throughout the game. Guys like Darko, Maxiell, Acker, Delfino, Evans, Arroyo. I can't think of a better game to get the deep bench guys some burn. Heck, even throw DD in there for a few minutes.

**Stats and lineups updated**

A couple of notes. Charlotte lost a heartbreaker against Milwaukee last night, 103-102. Brevin Knight did not play due to back spasms. Okafor and Kareem Rush appear to be out as well. Keith Bogans, Raymond Felton and Bernard Robinson are likely starters for tonight.

Last night against Milwaukee, Gerald Wallace had 21 points, 15 rebounds and 8 steals. His matchup with Tayshaun is probably the key to victory. Positionally, no one else on the Charlotte roster can hang with Detroit.

Prince should have the edge with a day's rest, and Wallace coming off of a 42 minute performance.

Charlotte is one of the best teams at forcing turnovers. Over the last 10 games, the Bobcats have averaged just over 10 steals per game. In those same 10 games, they lead the NBA in turnover differential, forcing 5+ more turns per night than they committ.

Another area Charlotte excels is shot blocking. They are ranked near the upper middle of the pack with Detroit and San Antonio immediately behind them. Again this is based on the last 10 games.

Detroit's keys to victory are

• Make shots
• Shut down Gerald Wallace
• Limit turnovers and prevent fast break scoring for the Bobcats

Can you believe I actually researched this game?

As a side note; watch how many minutes Carlos Arroyo plays and how effective he is. The trade subplot hangs over his head with Hunter's return on Monday.

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They are the archetype for dominance. They are the gatekeepers of the conference. They are the Detroit Pistons.

next 5 games are easy, the pistons just can't think they can cuise though. home against charlotte, and boston. then at atlanta, and new york. then back home at an injured rockets team. the knicks have won 6 in a row though.

I know I am a little bias but GW is been on a DPOY type tear with 11.0 rebounds 4.0 steals and 3.4 blocks over the last 5 games. It really goes back further then that. I just hope he missed his ride to the game. However, thats all they have had of late.

I wouldn't expect Hunter back that soon. He was recently TV interviewed in Detroit and said hopefully a couple weeks.

CA picked a really bad time to pick-up a suspension.

January has a very friendly schedule now that the Spurs game is over but hopfully we won't slack off just because these teams aren't of a high quailty.

don't worry, the pistons don't lose when i attend the games, and i'm going tonight. so sit back and relax and enjoy the game