Detroit Pistons Raise Banner and Receive Championship Rings; Host Live Radio and TV Broadcasts for Opener This Tuesday at The Palace

As the Detroit Pistons celebrate the opening of their 2004-2005 season this Tuesday, November 2 with a day of special activities, 17 metro-Detroit radio and television stations will on hand with live broadcasts featuring interviews with Pistons personnel and Palace staff. Beginning at 5 a.m., the broadcasts will continue throughout the day as the Pistons take on the Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as pre-game activities begin at 7:30 p.m., when the team raises its third NBA World Championship banner and commissioner David Stern presents championship rings to the team and staff. Captains Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups will then present a championship ring to the winning entrant of the Pistons Ultimate Fan Giveaway. To commemorate the event, all fans in attendance will receive a mock-up of the championship ring courtesy of Fox Sports Net. Detroit’s own Anita Baker will sing the National Anthem. From the time doors open to the public at 6 p.m. through halftime, all three Pistons championship trophies, the Shock’s WNBA title trophy and the Stanley Cup – currently owned by the Palace Sports and Entertainment’s Tampa Bay Lightning – will be displayed on the main concourse near section 105 for photo opportunities. Pistons player introductions will be similar to those which drew national attention during last season’s NBA playoffs, including the giant flamethrowers at each basket. Throughout the game, The Palace’s game presentation staff will unveil a host of new features utilizing the arena’s new ribbon display boards encircling the arena and on its scoreboard. The Pistons are celebrating its third NBA title when it upset the heavily favored L.A. Lakers in five games, after upsetting former Eastern Conference champions New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and defeating the Central Division champion Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tickets for the Detroit Pistons home schedule are on sale now at Palacenet.com, The Palace Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be charged by phone to American Express, Visa, Discover and MasterCard by calling 248/645-6666. Detroit Pistons basketball is presented by Rock Financial. OPENING DAY RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2003 WJBK FOX 2 - “News Morning” - 5 - 9 AM