How come there's only 5 games in the January hopper? Are these the only important ones?

The Pistons have to be careful about this game. In the schedule outlook this is a win, but in the world of the NBA and in sports in general things change. Sonics come with a close victory over Chicago and a new taskmaster in Bob Hill.

The player that Detroit must contain in this game is Ray Allen, this guy can beat a team by himself with his sweet stroke from anywhere on the court. The other player they can't let beat is Rashard Lewis, Prince matches up well with him and we need to take him out of the game and just make him become all perimeter. The Sonics are a rugged perimeter team, the Piston frontline has to show up and play this game. If Sheed comes to play and play the all round game inside and out this is a win. Sheed is the only players on the court the Sonics can't match up with.

These are two perimeter teams with the only advantage for Detroit is Sheed. If Rip can match Allen and C-Bills have his normal game than this is a win for the Stones.

All we have to do is play our game. They can put up O numbers like 101 per game avg. but they give up 104. I don't think they've heard of D.
Pistons 110
Sonics 90

This game has the potential to be a loss.

Bob Hill is a decent coach, his first move was putting Vladimir Radmanovic back into the lineup after Weiss had pretty much reduced him to Darko-ish minutes.

Hill's an old school coach. He won't play to the locker room or who Ray Allen likes. Old man Weiss seemed a little too caught up in his popularity to be objective about player/personnel decisions or make the tough decisions like demanding defense.

Seattle gives (29) and takes (27) a lot of free throws. But they are ranked third in the NBA for FT %. You've got to hit your bunnies, or they win at the line more nights than not.

4th in Offense, last in defense, averaging 8 steals per night, you don't want to get into a running game with the Sonics. This is a game the Pistons need to play at their pace. A little slower than usual, as Flip's pace is so much more uptempo.

The Pistons can (and should) attack the paint on Friday. Seattle does not block many shots, and their biggest player (Johan Petro) is a skinny 7'0" rookie starter. He can be exploited by Ben, Sheed and Dice all night long as he is also a foul magnet.

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

for some reason last year jerome james killed us in a game against the sonics in seattle. he is now on the knicks but the pistons need to keep seattle's role players in check too not only there superstars ray allen and rashard lewis. the sonics beat us in seattle last year, but sheed came up big in a tight situation down the stretch last year at the palace against the sonics to pull out a win. seattle though is much worse from last season, but they now have a new coach so don't get too hopeful.

it's a win. the pistons don't lose when i attend games at the palace, and i'll be there tomorrow.

Some notes on the Sonics:

Ray Allen will have his right eye evaluated by an ophthalmologist in Detroit today after catching an elbow from the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich. Trainers said he didn't scratch his cornea, but want to rule out the possibility that he did damage behind the pupil.

Danny Fortson (sore left knee) went to the locker room in the third quarter and returned to the bench in street clothes.

Hill inserted Vladimir Radmanovic in the starting lineup and promised to use rookie Johan Petro and second-year center Robert Swift extensively.

Ridnour is also back in the starting lineup after being benched by Weiss for a few games.

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With politicians the future lies ahead

allen didn't practice thursday and is probable for tonight's game.

We're game chatting! Come join us.

45-44 Det at the half.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2006010608

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