With the Allen Iverson news still fresh, the Pistons are in Philadelphia to play an early matinee with the Sixers today. The Pistons have dropped eight of 11 to fall into seventh place, a half-game ahead of Chicago.

All remaining games are important for Detroit, especially the game against the Bobcats tomorrow night at the Palace, so a victory in Philly would do wonders for this team right now. The Sixers (39-35) are close to clinching a spot in the postseason, but they’re still battling for position. Detroit should take advantage of the fact that the Sixers young star Thaddeus Young (ankle) won’t play in Saturday’s game.

Rodney knows what’s at stake.

“We have seven games left and hopefully, we can do it,” second-year guard Rodney Stuckey said after the loss to the Nets. “I really don’t know how to explain this. We just have to find ourselves. Either we want to go to the playoffs or we want to go home.” Via NBA.com

Tip off is at 3:00 PM and will be Nationally televised on ESPN. If you can’t catch the game on television you can listen live locally on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game at NBA.com.

In seasons past what happened on Sunday wouldn’t mean much to the Pistons or their fans, but as we all know things can change quickly in the NBA. The Detroit Pistons, who are fighting for a playoff spot, accomplished quite a feat, a win on the second half of a back to back, to make it two wins in a row, against the Philadelphia 76ers, at home, in a game with an early tip, on Sunday. Doesn’t seem like much, but the 101-97 victory may just be the biggest win for Detroit this season.

Key Points:

• The victory moved Detroit up to the 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.  If the Playoffs were to start today, Detroit would match up with an Orlando team that they have had their way with for quite some time. The Pistons’ magic number to secure a spot is seven and it seems as though Dwight Howard wants Detroit in the first round.
• The win also stopped an 8 game Sunday home losing streak at The Palace.
• Detroit came back from deficits in every quarter except the fourth.
• The Pistons turned the ball over nine times in the first half, which helped the Sixers stay in the game.  They buckled down in the second half adding only two more for the rest of the game.
• Iguodala scored a game high 27 points, but it was his uncontested dunk that wowed the Palace crowd.
• The Pistons fourth quarter defense looked much better.
• Tayshaun Prince was red hot in the first half scoring 19 points on 7-for-7 shooting.  Prince carried the team in the first half and finished with a team-high 21 points and 3 assists.

Photo/Getty Images

• 46 points in the paint for the Sixers to Detroit’s 36.
• NBA.com Highlights of the game.
• Amir Johnson played some key minutes and did a fine job helping the Pistons lock this one up. He finished with 5 points, 4 boards and a steal in 18 minutes. It was with the help of Amir’s defense that the Pistons locked things down for the Sixers in the fourth quarter. No foul trouble for Johnson in this one.
• Rodney Stuckey seems to be getting back to his old form. He put up 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting, with 5 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers.
• The Sixers looked like the Pistons of old, racking up 4 technical fouls during the game. I guess it helps Detroit in terms of Techs when Sheed and Rip aren’t playing
• How bout 40% shooting from downtown for the Pistons. Tayshaun himself was 3-for-4.
• Five Pistons in double figures.
• Allen Iverson made his debut after a long absence, with 8 points, on 3-for-9 shooting with 2 boards, and 2 assists in 21 minutes on the floor.  I don’t know about you but he looked good out there alongside Will Bynum.

Photo/Getty Images

• “The most important thing is we got the win,” said Iverson, who scored eight points in 21 minutes. “I have a lot of respect for guys that come off the bench, even more now than ever. It’s hard to get yourself going. Sitting there for a long period of time, then having to jump right into the fire — that’s different for me. It’s hard. But I honestly feel I can get through it. I am a professional. I can figure out a way to do it and be effective.” Via The Detroit News. That was part of Iverson’s post game press conference, which I watched from start to finish, and despite this quote it rubbed me the wrong way. He started his comments about how he was telling his friends that a man with his resume really had no business coming off the bench. That aside, I give him credit for finally hitting the floor for Detroit when their playoff fate is on the line.
• Iverson is not happy about being questioned on his injury.
• We wondered what would happen to Will Bynum’s minutes once Allen and Rip were back, well it was Arron Afflalo who didn’t play in Sunday’s win.
• Fantastic scoop pass from Iverson to Will Bynum who was running the floor. Will didn’t make the layup, but he did make his free throws.
• Will Bynum scored nine points during a 14-2 run in the fourth that took the Pistons from five points down to six points up with 4:03 left. He finished with 12 points, 4 assists, 5 boards and 3 turnovers in 22 minutes.

Photo/Getty Images

• Will Bynum on the court in crunch time instead of Rodney Stuckey. “Will could be in there or (Rodney) Stuckey could be in there,” Curry said. “But the big key is, we have to run stuff through Will regardless of who is on the court.” Via The Detroit News
• Another solid performance from Mr. Kwame Brown, who scored 13 points for Detroit in 21 minutes on the floor. The big man trying to do his thing and working down low made 7 of his 13 points at the free throw line.
• This one was close, the game was tied 12 times with 20 lead changes.
• Happy Birthday to my main man George Blaha.
• Eight points and six boards from Antonio McDyess. When you look at his numbers the past two games with Rip back and then AI, it’s obvious that Dyess just about carried the team when they were short handed.
• A relatively quiet night for Jason Maxiell, who scored 4 points, grabbed 5 boards, and had a blocked shot in 19 minutes.
• “Now my whole thing is trying to be the best sixth man I can be, the best sixth man in the league.” said Iverson.  Via MLive. If that indeed is the case, this team has a chance come playoff time.
• A Battle with the Cavs in Cleveland, where they have only lost one game at home all season long should be rough.  If Sheed indeed comes back, the Pistons chances skyrocket. At this point we know every game is crucial.

The Pistons take on the Philadelphia Sixers today at the Palace of Auburn Hills. On a second game of a back to back with an early evening tip on Sunday, the odds are stacked up against The Pistons, who really need a win tonight to help keep their playoff hopes solid.

The Sixers, who are currently in the sixth spot in the East, have won seven of the last nine are hopping for a win against Detroit to put them within one half game of fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The (37-34) Sixers are looking for their first winning season since 2004-05.

Sheed (possibly Tuesday) or AI, your guess is as good as mine.  They both were in uniform on the bench for Detroit Saturday night, but when either will be back is most likely a game time decision.

UPDATE: IVERSON WILL PLAY

The Good/The Bad and More

• Detroit has lost four of five at home since winning three in a row there March 3-9.
• Philadelphia has won three straight over Detroit, including a 96-91 win in Auburn Hills on Dec. 5 in their only meeting this season.
• While many in Detroit think Allen Iverson’s injury may not be as bad as he says it is, his ex-coach Tony DiLeo in Philadelphia had something to say about it. “Allen’s a warrior,” DiLeo said. “So if he’s not playing, something must be wrong. He played through so many injuries when he was here.” Via Philly.com
• The Pistons are only 2 1/2 games ahead of the Bobcats for the 8th spot.

Tip off is at 6:00 PM and will be locally televised on FSN Detroit. If you can’t catch the television broadcast you can listen locally on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game through your computer at NBA.com.