[DetBNyce]

Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: The Palace of Auburn Hills
Home TV: WKBD 50

Minnesota Timberwolves (38-15) @ Detroit Pistons (34-22)

vs.

Probable Starters:


vs.


Key Matchup:

vs.

Game Thread from last game, a 80-79 loss @ Minn.

The debut of the new look Pistons, hopefully. Sheed's debut depends on if Chucky gets his physical done in time for tip-off.

[EHL]

Sheed is pumped for his first game and goes crazy on the boards and contains KG, powering the Pistons to a solid 8 point win. Plus, Twolves are playing the back end of a back to back, so they won't be in absolute peak form.

On another note, what an incredible trade for the Pistons in getting Sheed. The Pistons are now legit title contenders, whereas before they were just a "top 10" contender of sorts. Here's my list of favorites:

1. Lakers
2. Kings
3. Twolves
4. Pistons
5. Spurs
6. Nets
7. Mavs
8. Pacers
....
29. Hawks

Sheed brings some much needed scoring, he can score 20 points on any given night. What some may not realize is just how good of a defender he is; make no mistake about it, Big Ben and Sheed are now the best defensive big men combo in the game today.

Man, I'd love to see the Wallaces battle Shaq in the Finals. It would be freaking epic.

[DetBNyce]

If Sheed does actually get to play and does get the start it'll be interesting to see if Minnesota adjust their starting lineup. Rasheed vs. Sprewell is an advantage for both players and teams, but I'd give us the edge in that matchup because of size.

[DetBNyce]

The Detroit Free Press has Memo out for this game with back problems.

Injuries:

Detroit -- F Tremaine Fowlkes (back spasms), injured list; C Mehmet Okur (back), out.

Minnesota -- C Michael Olowokandi (knee surgery), F Ndudi Ebi (knee), injured list.

I have no idea how the lineup will go now. Do we start Tay or Campbell. This could mean PT for Darko in spot minutes.

[bfan1]

Any idea what number Sheed will wear?

I see it still says "may" play...bet they are doing that to throw Minny off. Sheed does a great job on KG.

I'm gonna watch our game (Blazers) but will tape yours!

GO PISTONS!

[DetBNyce]

Pistons.com has Memo startong, I don't know what's going on.

[DetBNyce]

Originally posted by bfan1!
Any idea what number Sheed will wear?

I see it still says "may" play...bet they are doing that to throw Minny off. Sheed does a great job on KG.

I'm gonna watch our game (Blazers) but will tape yours!

GO PISTONS!

I'm pretty sure he's playing. Chucky has already passed his physical and Pistons.com also has a Sheed press conference scheduled at 6:00 pm.

[jvanbusk]

Originally posted by bfan1!
Any idea what number Sheed will wear?

I see it still says "may" play...bet they are doing that to throw Minny off. Sheed does a great job on KG.

I'm gonna watch our game (Blazers) but will tape yours!

GO PISTONS!

I'm pretty sure it will be #30.

[MLKG]

I think that Detroit News article was probably a typo from when Memo actually was out.

And yes, Sheed will wear #30.

[Austin Kent]

FROM NBA.COM

Pistons Host Wolves on Heels of Rasheed Trade

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 20 (Ticker) -- Rasheed Wallace could make his debut with the Detroit Pistons on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Palace of Auburn Hill.


Garnett

Wallace
The Pistons acquired Wallace from Atlanta on Thursday in a three-team trade that also involved Boston. They also acquired Mike James from the Celtics in the deal, which sent guard Bob Sura, forward Zeljko Rebraca and a 2004 first-round pick to the Hawks.

Detroit also lost guards Chucky Atkins and Lindsey Hunter and a 2004 first-round pick to Boston.

Wallace played just one game for Atlanta after being acquired in a trade with Portland, scoring 20 points in a loss to the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

Detroit snapped a season-high six-game losing streak with a 102-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the opener of a three-game homestand on Wednesday.

Richard Hamilton scored 23 points and Chauncey Billups added 20 as the Pistons remained unbeaten in seven games this season when the duo scored 20 points apiece.

Corliss Williamson had 15 points and All-Star Ben Wallace collected 11 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks for Detroit, who overcame a 62-45 disadvantage on the glass and poor 23-of-40 free-throw shooting.

The Timberwolves completed an unbeaten two-game homestand with a 92-75 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

Kevin Garnett collected 22 points and 24 rebounds for his 16th straight double-double for Minnesota, which moved within percentage points of Sacramento for the best record in the NBA.

Sam Cassell scored 18 points and Latrell Sprewell added 13 for the Timberwolves, who dominated inside with on overwhelming 60-34 rebounding advantage.

Minnesota celebrated the return of swingman Wally Szczerbiak, who missed the first 53 games of the season with a strained plantar fascia tendon in his left foot.

The Timberwolves have won four of their last six games away from home and are tied with Indiana for the league's best road record at 18-9.

The Timberwolves have won 10 of their last 12 meetings with the Pistons, including an 80-79 victory at home on Jan. 23. They swept four consecutive season series between the teams from 1997-2001.

Minnesota has split the last two season series with Detroit, losing each of their last two visits to the Palace by at least 20 points.


I'm pumped. :rockout:

[Brian]

Glad to hear Tremaine Fowlkes back spams magically got better after a 26 game stint on the IR . I heard Mike James will wear #7 and Wallace will wear his usually #30. Which is the same number another former Trailblazer (Clifford Robinson) who also had his run in with marijuana wore here in Detroit . On a more serious note Sheed is supposed to address the media at 6 pm est wdfn will be carrying it live. As for the game I have heard a lot blazers fans say that Sheed does real well against KG so that should be an interesting matchup.

[Brian]

LB during the press conference said that Rasheed will not start. LB joked that he will get a bigger ovation this way. Other than that I was pretty impressed with Rasheed he just wants to fit in with team.

[MLKG]

I find it kind of funny that Sheed and James are taking Cliff and Chucky's numbers.

[Peja Vu]

Breaking News

Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace and guard Mike James have been cleared to play in tonight's game.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/