The 3-1 Pistons take on the 2-1 Mavericks tonight in Dallas.  Another non televised game for us, but those lucky enough to have HDNet or NBATV can catch a glimpse of the Pistons.  Tip is at 8:30 and you can catch it on 950 AM or stream it live through NBA.com.

It looks like Tayshaun will likely sit out with his toe injury and we probably shouldn’t expect to see Mr. Villanueva on court until Saturday’s game against Memphis.

Ben Gordon led Detroit with 22 points in the Pistons 100-91 victory over the Atlanta Hawks which included this ridiculous three point buzzer beater to end the third quarter.

Rodney Stuckey also had his own buzzer beating jumper to take a 49-46 lead at the half finishing the game with 20 points. Knock it down and send him flying.

Rip Hamilton dropped 15 in another foul laden game thanks to the replacement referees.   The teams combined to commit 57 fouls, leading to 59 free throws.

Those Pistons fans who where out at the game were treated to a little Chucky Atkins in Sunday nights win. Atkins, who played seven minutes scored three points for Detroit.

The Pistons would like to keep the pre-season perfect as they take on The Bucks tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Tip off is at 7:30, but unfortunately this one won’t be broadcast on television.  If you want to catch the game you will have to tune into 97.1 The Ticket where of course Matt Dery will be on the pre and post game to take your calls and Ticket Texts (text 97136 from your mobile phone). To Listen online go to NBA.com.

Notables/Injuries

Charlie Villanueva is not expecting to play tonight against his old squad while he nurses his sore hammy.

Too bad Pistons fans can’t see what Carlos Delfino does against his former team.

Follow the game online or on the radio at 97.1 and leave your thoughts in the comments.

I was lucky enough to see this one coming last night at the Palace during the Pistons 87-83 win over the Heat.  The Princeesque  block by Austin Daye on Dwyane Wade.  This one gave instant rep to Austin at the Palace especially after they replayed it on the big screen multiple times.

Thanks to Need4Sheed reader Jay for the Video.

Due to time restrictions, I am unable to post a full recap of the game so I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments.  One word from me, impressed.

Two little tidbits from the game that you may not have heard on the broadcast.

• A put Chucky chant started in the late fourth quarter
• And when Jonas Jerebko and Jamaal Magloire got into their little scrum…the crowd started chanting DEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLL.  See, we always keep that “Bad Boys” mentality.

FYI to Austin Daye Fans

“Pistons rookie Austin Daye will be at Meijer in Allen Park (3536 Fairlane Blvd.) on Tues., Oct. 6, from 4:30-6:00 p.m., along with the Pistons Hoop Truck, where you can get a voucher for a free ticket to an upcoming preseason game at The Palace.” Via Pistons.com

Your thoughts in the comments.

The wait is over for starved Pistons fans who weren’t used to a short post season.  The first pre-season game is tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills against The Miami Heat .  For those of you who were wondering, this game will be televised on FSN Detroit, so make sure you catch it because besides the last pre-season game this will be the only time to watch what this new team can do before the regular season starts.

If you feel anything like I do, today couldn’t have come quick enough. I am anxious to first off see how Ben Gordon gels with the team and excited to see how Kuester involves the rookies. This is a season of the unknown, many things can happen.

• The Pistons do what most of their fans and the media think, fall short of anything spectacular and just keep their heads above water all season long.
• They could be worse than people imagined and just not work in their new configuration.
• They can surprise and do better than anyone expected.
• They can be very frustrating.
• They can be very entertaining.

The list can go on…

Personally I am of the belief that this is going to be better than anything we experienced last season. I expect some excitement from our rookies, especially DaJuan Summers. I am always of the half glass full mentality, so I’m holding out hope for a fun and exciting season regardless of the Pistons final record.

One thing I do know is…when people have something to prove they usually do whatever it takes to make their point.

Look out for Bynumite, Ben Gordon, Charlive Villanueva, Chris Wilcox and the always hungry Jason Maxiell.

And Ben Wallace….that’s a different animal altogether.  I’m sure he wants to win back the fans in the city that made him.

As for the game:

Tip off is at 7:30 but tune in to FSN starting at 6:30 with Remembering Chuck Daly followed by the Pistons pre-game show.  When the action starts we can hear the familiar voices of George Blaha and Special K.

If you can’t watch the action, you can follow the game live on NBA.com or listen in at 97.1 The Ticket the new home for Pistons radio broadcasts.  The Ticket’s first Pistons broadcast will begin with their pre-game show at 7 p.m. and they will be taking calls post game as well as your texts.  Call into the station  (248-539-9797) where you can talk to my good friend Matt Dery or text into the station at 97136 (standard text message rates apply).

Notables/Injuries

Charlie Villanueva has been nursing a sore hamstring and is unlikely to play against Miami. Villanueva has missed a couple of practices this week with the injury but was able to do some light running on Sunday.

The Pistons will take the floor for the last time this pre-season tonight against The Atlanta Hawks at The Palace. The Pistons topped the Calavliers 97-79 last night with the help of Rodney Stuckey’s 20 points and a Cheikh Samb 3.

And then there was AMIR….

“Most definitely,” he nodded. “He was way bigger than me. I was about 215 and he was like 245 or 250. So I was a little intimidated by him. But now it’s no problem. I just treat him like a regular guy.” Amir on Ben Wallace

“The truth is, Amir got the better of Big Ben in Wednesday’s preseason game, though to be fair, a 34-year-old four-time Defensive Player of the Year nursing a tender back is going to approach a preseason game with a tad less fervor than a kid trying to prove his coach was right to thrust him into a starting lineup composed of four virtual All-Stars.” Via Keith Langlois at True Blue Pistons

Expect some rest tonight:

“Pistons Backup center Kwame Brown (right shoulder strain) missed the game and Curry said he expects Brown to miss tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. … Curry said he expects to rest Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Prince, Hamilton and Antonio McDyess in the second half of tonight’s exhibition finale.” Via The Detroit Free Press

Tip off is at 7:30 PM and WILL be broadcast on FSN Detroit. You can also follow the NBA.com live stream or listen to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan.

I’m trying out a new Chat Room for those of you who like to talk live during the games. I put a link to it at the top of the page but here it is if you want to try it out tonight during the Hawks game, or any other time for that matter. I can even add it to the each game tread, so give me some feedback if you can.
Let the countdown to the regular season begin!

Detroit will take on the Cavs tonight at The Palace. Tip off is at 7:30 and unfortunatly won’t be broadcast locally, but we found out from members of Team Need4Sheed in the comments that it’s going to be broadcast in Ohio.

TDP: Wednesday’s game against the Cavaliers will air on both FSN Ohio and FSN Cincinnati; DIRECTV channels 660 and 611, respectively.

For the rest of us it means a blackout, but as always we can follow the action on NBA.com or on the 1130 AM WDFN The Fan. Look for the starters to get heavy minutes in preparation for the 2008-2009 season that is just around on the corner.

And if you so choose, Need4Sheed.com is up for the Best of Team Blog award in The Pistons category against some stiff competion. So vote for N4S or any of your other favorites.

“I was wide open, and coach has been stressing that if I am wide open, shoot the ball, I finally got the courage to take my shot.” Via The Detroit News. An impressive Amir ( 10 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, a blocked shot with only 1 foul) after Detroit’s come from behind win against Dallas.

“I am not rewarding guys for just scoring the ball, Amir missed some shots early and he was probably looking over to see if we were going to jack him out of the game. But he was doing everything we wanted defensively. I am telling these guys, all of them, it’s defense that’s going to get you into the game and it’s defense that’s going to keep you in the game.” Michael Curry on Amir (Detroit News)

NBA.com Video Recap of Detroit’s 85-81 win.

Detroit would love to get a win after the awful loss to The Spurs in Grand Rapids Tuesday night. Chauncey Billups, who didn’t play Tuesday, is likely to be on the court running the offense for the Pistons when they take on The Mavs.  Walter Herrmann (ribs) is still questionable.

There will be a Pistons season preview on NBATV at 7pm, with the ball tip at 7:30 pm at The Palace. This one won’t be televised locally, but you are golden if you have NBATV.  You can catch the radio broadcast on WDFN 1130 AM The Fan with the live stream at NBA.com.

A quick thanks to my boy Matt Dery for shouting me and Need4Sheed out on 1130 today, it was quite a nice surprise on the drive home from work.

• Maxiell’s playing time and his contract issue.
• Look at the numbers, Chauncey Billups is a Superstar!
• Dumars takes nothing that isn’t coming to him.
• Dave Dial points out the fact Tay and Rasheed aren’t pulling their weight offensively.
• Rick Carlisle back in Detroit with his new team (Dallas) and a new attitude.
• Curry takes the blame while Sheed isn’t really worried about a pre-season game.
• Ilgauskus takes a jab at Detroit’s pre-game huddle… “The old veteran sees other teams leaping together before the tipoff, as if pogo sticks had been smuggled into their midst, and he shakes his head. The Detroit Pistons do this, led by Rasheed Wallace, the prince, behaviorally, if not in the box score, of pointlessness. ‘We don’t jump around,’ said Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the 33-year-old Cavaliers center. ‘We meet in the hallway before we go out for warmups. We have a prayer.’ Apparently, jumping around is not needed to get the Cavs’ blood roaring. ‘We go out and try not to curse after the prayer,’ said Z. ‘I would say it lasts for at least 30 seconds.’” The Plain Dealer Via True Hoop

• Sheed has a new tattoo on his back, most of us couldn’t really tell what it was from seeing it at open practice or during pre-season games. I have been asking around and I have a few people working on it, but someone thinks it may be an extension of his arm tattoo that was the center of a lawsuit when it was featured in a Nike commercial. If any of you can confirm it let us know.
• Chauncey likely to play against Dallas.
• BDL’s Detroit Pistons Season Preview (thanks AT)
• Dave Bing’s bid for Mayor is official -  Derrick Coleman at his side.

George Blaha caught up with Arron Afflalo before the Pistons loss to the Spurs Tuesday night. Arron talks about his defense, Rip Hamilton, his 28 point game, Coach Curry and his gym habits. Arron confirmed something that I really liked about his game and attitude, when he got to Detroit he knew he needed to carve out his own niche to get playing time, hence the focus on defense.