Pistons Hit The Road
Washington, D.C. – Perhaps acquiring Allen Iverson wasn’t a smart move for the Detroit Pistons. At least they’re set to get back one of the players they traded away.
The Pistons, who have struggled since dealing for Iverson, may have Antonio McDyess back in their frontcourt as they visit the lowly Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Pistons –5 point spread favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Wizards. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 98% of more than 214 bets for this game have been placed on the Pistons -5.
Detroit (11-8) is 7-8 with Iverson, who was obtained from Denver in a four-player trade on Nov. 3. The Pistons gave up McDyess – a strong post presence – along with point guard Chauncey Billups and project Cheikh Samb.
The cost-cutting Nuggets waived McDyess a week later and the veteran forward decided to re-sign with Detroit. McDyess, though, had to wait 30 days after the trade to rejoin the Pistons.
McDyess is now eligible to join Detroit, but coach Michael Curry said he wasn’t sure whether he would be at practice Monday.
"We don’t know what to expect from him just yet, but obviously once he gets in game shape we know what he can bring to our team," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said. "But McDyess is not the answer. Our energy, our level of play is the answer, so if we think that McDyess is going to come in and save us, he’s not. We’ve just got to continue to look at ourselves in the mirror and give each other our best effort and right now we’re not giving it."
McDyess averaged 8.8 points and 8.5 rebounds as a starter last season, when Detroit advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. To become a power in the East again, though, what the Pistons really need to do is find a way to jell with Iverson.
Iverson is averaging 17.6 points – nearly 10 below his career average – in 15 games with Detroit. He had 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting in a 104-92 loss to New York on Sunday in which the Pistons fell behind by 29 in the first half.
"Regardless of how well you play, one thing you can always do every night is play hard and there’s no excuse for that," Iverson said. "We get a lot of money to come out here and perform to the highest of our ability and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t come out and give that effort."
A matchup with Washington (3-15) may be a good opportunity for Iverson to break out. The Wizards are allowing 103.0 points per game and off to their worst start since the 1966-67 season, when they were known as the Baltimore Bullets.
Washington is coming off a 117-110 loss to Chicago on Saturday night, one day after a strong effort in a 106-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Wizards struggled on defense against the Bulls, who shot 52.4 percent and scored 24 points off Washington’s 15 turnovers.
"One of the things you can’t succumb to frustration. We have to keep a positive attitude," said Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott, who is 2-5 after replacing Eddie Jordan on Nov. 24.
Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison continue to lead Washington, but they’re getting little help. Butler finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists against Chicago, and Jamison added 23 points and 12 rebounds.
That duo combined for 45 points in a 117-109 loss at Detroit on Nov. 1.
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Posted: 12/9/08 1:00 AM ET