Thursday 7th December Washington @ Detroit
Preview
Dirk Nowitzki Comes in to play his first game as a piston today I expect him and Wallace to be the Difference because Washington just can’t win if those to get going and if they both tally high 20’s in the points category I think the game is over right there. The Wizards also need to watch out for the quick hands of the back court and also Howard’s long stealing arms. The pistons can’t allow Billups to get in the lane because that when his passing gets dangerous and they have to cut off his passing lanes. If the Wizards can stop all this they will have a chance but I don’t think thwy can so my prediction is Pistons by 11, 92-81
Pistons starting 5
C- R. Wallace
PF- C. Webber
SF- T. Prince
SG- R. Hamilton
PG- C. Billups
Cleveland starting five
C- B. Haywood
PF- A. Jamison
SF- J. Hayes
SG- M. Tomsa
PG- G. Arenas
OVERTIME THRILLLER
Summary
1st quarter-Early in the 1st quarter There wasn’t a lot to say except for the lack of defence being played, it was hectic both teams running up and done the court going bucket for bucket. As Howard got his first steal and finished of for the lay-up, the pistons then commanded the quarter, taking a 14-8 lead and making it a 17-12 lead when Haywood got injured (not serious), The pistons capitalised taking a 27-20 lead into the 2nd quarter (Rasheed had 21).
2nd quarter-Recruit Dirk Nowitzki took off from where there starters got them to last quarter as he dominated the block and the dominated the perimeter. Until he was doubled teamed and struggled to score but at the same time he was being hack a ‘Nowitzted’. Then dirk got his new team-mates involved and at the half the Pistons had built a 46-46 ball game which evolved around dirk and Wallace who had 36 points combined.
3rd quarter-In the 3rd Pistons got of to a horrible start an Billups left with an injury and they trailed, but then ‘Sheed’ went back to back on triples which exited young gun B.B carpenter to have a go and he didn’t disappoint hitting a contested three and putting the Pistons up by 8 (59-51). But then Wizard went on a scoring frenzy taking a 75-69 lead.
4th quarter-Pistons rallied early and by the time Wizards made it to 81 it was just a 2 point deficit, with the crowd roaring, As Dirk dominated so did Arenas keeping the Wizards ahead in the dieing stages. The pistons quickly regained the lead but then rookie M. Tomsa straight away regained it back with a 3-point play. But the Pistons kept there cool forcing three straight turnovers to regain a 96-93 lead. But the Wizards weren’t done they pressured on defence and forced a last minute turnover to making it just a 1 point game. Arenas got an amazing steal and took it down the other end hitting a contested triple but Piston weren’t going to give up and with 2 seconds left Dirk Nowitzki hit a clutch two pointer to tie it up. A quick pass saw arenas have a half court shot for the win and he came cm’s short forcing OT.
Overtime-In overtime Pistons dominated from the word go with Wallace winning the tip and getting them off to a 4-0 run but Wizards got straight back in it and even taking a lead with just over I a minute to go, Pistons look like they had command but they just couldn’t hold the defensive rebounds and wizard stayed just 1 point behind with 30 seconds to play. Dirk then hit a clutch shot to give Wizards 8.0 seconds trailing by 3. The Wizards gave it to Gilbert the shot went up and from that moment the roaches crowd erupted and Pistons had a 118-115 Overtime thrilling win
3PK’s Game breaker:
Dirk Nowitzki 
Dirk scored 12 points in Overtime to Get his new Pistons Over the line.
Player of the game
Dirk Nowitzki 
48 points,4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals
Statistic Leaders
Points 
Nowitzki 48, Wallace 35
Rebounds 
Wallace 9, Haywood 9
Assists 
Billups 8, Hayes 5, Arenas 5
Blocks 
Mourning 2, Wallace 1
Steals 
Nowitzki 2, Arenas 2, Haywood 2
Shooting percentage
Pistons :arrow: 67%
Washington 
50%
3-pt shooting percentage
Detroit 
42%
Washington 
33%
Bench points
Detroit 
57
Washington 
36
Injury Report
Billups

Bruised calf muscle

3 days (playable)