Pregame Update: Keyon Dooling is out with a sore hip. This isn’t anything major, as Dooling is saying that it is just a day-to-day thing. Devin is starting, but we still aren’t sure how many minutes he is going to get, so expect to see T-Will running the show for parts of the game.
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Before we get to the game, a little more on CDR’s move to the bench. Ben Couch (a favorite around these parts) tweeted a few quotes from the key players at this move. First, CDR:
“Whatever it is to help this team. We’re struggling, so you have to shake things up a little bit, and I was the first one.”
“If it helps this team win, then it really doesn’t matter to me.”
From Jarvis:
“Kiki just told me to play D like I did against Philly and the couple of games before that. And shoot the ball.”
Finally, from Kiki:
“The only reason is to get Chris more involved with the offense. Maybe with the second group, then he can be more aggressive. “
It seems that everyone involved is on the same page here. CDR seems to understand the move, and Kiki seems to acknowledge that this move is to try to get CDR going. Hopefully this works. I strongly believe that it will. Devin Harris is a game time decision for tonight’s game. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris/Keyon Dooling vs. Rodney Stuckey
In my opinion, if Devin Harris plays, he won’t be getting a lot of minutes. Which is why I threw Keyon Dooling in here too. Keyon is probably a better match-up for Rodney because Stuckey is one of those “thick” point guards who are good at using their bodies. If Harris is playing though, look for him to attack the lane and trying to get his teammates involved. I wouldn’t expect to see him taking too many shots if the wrist is still bothering him.
Advantage: Push
Courtney Lee vs. Richard Hamilton
With the new Pistons’ staff, Hamilton hasn’t been playing as well as he has in the past. Part of it is the new offense, back in their glory years, the Pistons would just run Hamilton off all of these screens, and he would get himself open for the shot. They just don’t do that anymore, and it makes Rip an easier cover.
Advantage: Push
Jarvis Hayes vs. Tayshaun Prince
It’s a shame that CDR’s move didn’t happen one game later. It would have been fun to see Tayshaun go up against Chris. That is a whole lot of lankiness and awkward moves attacking the basket. But that isn’t happening, and Jarvis will be going against Prince. Now if Jarvis struggles tonight, we shouldn’t look too much into it because Prince has the length to bother Hayes’ shots.
Advantage: Push
Yi vs. Jonas Jerebko
Alright, I am going to be honest here, I don’t really know much about this guy Jonas, so I am going to give Yi the advantage because he has been playing well.
Advantage: Yi
Brook Lopez vs. Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace has been one of the better players for the Pistons this year. He is getting his 5 points and 9+ rebounds, but he is doing a good job on the defensive end, and this could mean limited opportunities for Brook.
Advantage: Brook Lopez
