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**spongyfungy** · 11-07-2005, 07:47 AM

Quote:

AUBURN HILLS -- Let's be honest: as well as the Pistons have looked in their first three victories -- especially the two at home -- they haven't exactly defeated any top-tier teams.

Boston and Toronto almost are certain lottery candidates, and Philadelphia is, at best, a bubble team.

Credit the Pistons for taking care of their business and getting off to their fastest start since the lockout-shortened 1999 season, but don't lose perspective.

Even the Pistons are looking forward to testing their mettle this week on a Western swing through Sacramento, Phoenix and Portland.

"You can look at it as a challenge or an opportunity," coach Flip Saunders said. "For us, it's an opportunity to become even more battle-tested."

Playing in Sacramento always is an adventure for the Pistons, who have lost eight straight there since 1996.

There are only two other places where the Pistons have struggled as much. They have lost eight straight regular-season games in San Antonio (though they won there in Game 6 of the Finals) and they lost eight straight against Saunders' teams in Minnesota.

The environment at Arco Arena on Tuesday could be even more hostile than usual.

"That crowd is going to be juiced," Saunders said. "Being in the West for so long, I know that when Detroit comes in, they are such a physical team, you get fired up to play them. And the Kings have been on the road, so it's their home opener and you have us coming in undefeated."

The Kings are 1-2 after beating Phoenix Sunday night. Their usually potent offense has been held to 78 points a game as they struggle to integrate newcomers Bonzi Wells, a former Pistons draft pick, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

"It doesn't matter who they've got, that's always a tough place to play," Chauncey Billups said. "We want to start off that trip right, executing and doing what we do."

The Pistons left Sunday, even though the first game isn't until Tuesday. They will practice in Sacramento today. Also, though the final game is in Portland on Friday, the Pistons aren't planning on returning home until Saturday.

"It's a great time to go out there," he said. "You always get tested when you play out there, but you know, our physical style of play bothers a lot of those teams, so, we're looking forward to it."

http://www.detnews.com/2005/pistons/...D04-374114.htm

**kamego** · 11-07-2005, 08:10 AM

13-0

It's all I have to say because I am 3 of 3 already.

casebeck22 · 11-07-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamego

13-0

It's all I have to say because I am 3 of 3 already.

Same here

Nocioni · 11-07-2005, 10:30 AM

What is 13-0 records?

Nocioni · 11-07-2005, 10:34 AM

Next to sacramento is phoenix we can easily outrebound them

**DetBNyce** · 11-07-2005, 12:24 PM

I'm thinking we lose one of these road games. I hope we do go 13-0, but as I said earlier I just don't see it. So far in 2 of the 3 games the offense has looked great and subpar in the other, but Sacramento isn't exactly a defensive powerhouse so hopefully we can keep the ball movement up and the TO's down and get another W.

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