The Pistons scrimmaged during their open practice at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday night. The team was divided into two groups, the Blue and White squad. The White team, led by Tayshaun Prince’s 13 points and Antonio McDyess’ 12, came away with a 41-36 win. Elden Campbell tossed in eight for the White.

It was the first chance for fans to see McDyess play as a member of the Pistons, and he did not disappoint the Detroit crowd. Injuries have limited him the past couple of seasons, but his play tonight diminished those thoughts. “I felt like my old self when I got out there tonight,” said McDyess, a 2001 Western Conference All-Star. “Even though it wasn’t a regular season game, I was getting to know my teammates and the crowd was getting into it. I felt good about that.”

The Blue squad had balanced scoring as seven players each got on the scoreboard. Rookie and training camp invitee Nigel Dixon led the Blue with eight points. Larry Brown has been pleased with all the training camp invitees, and the 6-11, 320-pound Dixon showed he could play with the big boys. Ben Wallace and Darko Milicic were in Blue and sat out tonight’s scrimmage due to injuries, so Dixon filled in nicely. “When they say, ‘baby Shaq’, this is the true ‘baby Shaq’,” said Brown, describing the 6-11, 320-pound center out of Western Kentucky.

“He’s gotten better every day,” said Brown. “Our players love him. He’s pretty athletic. He’s tries to rebound and plays hard.”

Dixon was able to use his size to his advantage. He pulled down many offensive rebounds and went right back up with it, either getting the put-back or going to the foul line. “I’ve been doing that my whole college career, getting offensive rebounds and putting the ball in the rim,” said Dixon. “I am going to do the things I know I can do. I’m not going to shoot fade-away jump shots. I’m going to do the simple things, get to the glass and use my size on the offensive end.”

Dixon is a long shot to make the Pistons roster due to the number of big men signed, but he is taking this opportunity to learn as much as he can. “I’m just glad to be in this situation,” said Dixon, who played three years at Florida State before transferring to Western Kentucky. “I got guys like Elden Campbell, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace. Those guys are showing me the ropes. To learn knowledge like that is worth a million bucks. I’m just glad to be here.”

The scrimmage was deadlocked at 19-19 when the White squad went on a 10-0 run to pull ahead. That was the difference in the game. Chauncey Billups ended the run with a three-pointer and got to within five, 35-30, moments before Brown called for the end of practice. Billups finished with five points.