PHILADELPHIA -- There has been pressure to win all season for the Detroit Pistons . But it pales in comparison to the pressure they will be under tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Detroit's 95-90 loss to Philadelphia coupled with Chicago's win over New Jersey, has dropped the Pistons to the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference with the Bobcats two games back at No. 9. "That game is going to be more important than (Saturday's) game," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said shortly after Detroit lost to the Sixers. "We have to do a better job and come out and get a win."
The Pistons lead the head-to-head series with Charlotte two games to one, so a victory would give them the regular season series which could come into play if the two finish the season with an identical record.
"We definitely need to get that one," said Pistons coach Michael Curry.
Charlotte has emerged as one of the feel-good stories of the NBA this season, as former Pistons coach Larry Brown has helped transformed them into a playoff contender.
Brown coached the Pistons for two seasons, including the 2004 NBA championship squad.
Curry on Iverson
No one disputes the marriage between Allen Iverson and the Pistons didn't work.
But that doesn't mean it couldn't work somewhere else, right?
"I just think he's still a starter in this league," Curry said. "He's going to have a lot of success still in this league."
"He was in a tough situation this year. As he gets older, he's going to have to do some different things to make sure his body holds up to the rigors of the NBA season."
Iverson missed 16 games this season due to a sore back injury. He returned for three games -- coming off the bench in each game -- but was apparently still experiencing some pain.
