Wednesday, December 17, 2008 on FS Detroit HD at 7:30 p.m.
SCOUTING REPORT: Since overcoming a 17-point deficit to upset the Pistons a week ago, the Wizards have pulled off a trade, waived their starting point guard from that game and reshuffled their starting lineup. Rookie JaVale McGee was the starting center a week ago, but he went to the bench midway through the first quarter after getting lit up by Rasheed Wallace. Andray Blatche is in as the starting center and ex-Piston Juan Dixon is the new starting point guard. Dee Brown, who started at that spot a week ago, is no longer on the team. Ex-Piston Mike James and Lakers 2007 No. 1 pick Javaris Crittenton, a part of last season’s Pau Gasol deal, were acquired in a three-way deal last week that cost the Wizards a No. 1 pick and Antonio Daniels. What hasn’t changed since the Pistons allowed Washington to claim its fourth win of the season is the continued absence of Brendan Haywood and Gilbert Arenas, who have yet to play a game this season while recuperating from injuries, and the heavy reliance for points from Caron Butler (22.1) and Antawn Jamison (20.1). The only other double-digits scorer on the roster is second-year guard Nick Young, averaging 10 points in 22 minutes. Darius Songaila, Washington’s top frontcourt reserve, has hurt the Pistons over the past few seasons with his mobility and scoring versatility. The Wizards have lost three straight since beating the Pistons and, at 4-18, have the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Washington is last in the league in field-goal percentage defense at .482.
PISTONS PERSPECTIVE: The Pistons have won two straight since blowing the lead at Washington, but they come in with the unsettling fourth quarter at Charlotte in their most recent game still lurking in their minds. The Pistons led by 29 points late in the third quarter, yet had to reinsert four starters as the Bobcats cut the lead to one before a Rasheed Wallace 3-pointer spared them from a catastrophic loss. Michael Curry has seen positive signs since inserting Rodney Stuckey into the starting lineup at point guard and player smaller with Tayshaun Prince moving to power forward and Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson running the wings alongside Stuckey, who is averaging 9.7 assists and shooting 68 percent since becoming the starter. When the Pistons played Washington a week ago – the first game with both the new starting lineup and Antonio McDyess back on the bench – Curry kept Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson and Kwame Brown on the bench for the entire game. Brown and Johnson have not played in three straight games. Will Bynum has seen his playing time go the other way as he’s become Stuckey’s backup at point guard. Bynum is averaging eight minutes, 5.3 points and 1.7 assists while shooting 50 percent over that stretch.
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