Linkage
Detroit Bad Boys / Motown String Music
Pistons Hurting. Don't rely too much on the lineup we have listed, because all the Pistons' injuries and lineup shuffling make it likely to change between now and 7 pm. Rip Hamilton (ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) are expected to miss out of the game, though both did at least get some work in at practice yesterday.
Charlie Villanueva is expected to be back in the Pistons lineup after missing Wednesday's loss in Chicago due to the after-effects of a broken nose suffered on Sunday, though it's unclear if he'll be starting. Jason Maxiell has started three start and got the nod over Villanueva on Sunday before he broke his nose. Ben Gordon had also missed two games before returning to face his old team in Chicago on Wednesday, coming off the bench behind the starting pairing of Chucky Atkins and Rodney Stuckey. He had been starting at shooting guard, so he could be in the starting five tonight.
Luc in, Skiles out? Jim Paschke tweets that Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is finally expected to return from the foot injury that has sidelined him since the November 16 game against Dallas. He tells the JS that he'll be on limited minutes, but seeing #12 back on the court for even 10-15 minutes will be a welcome sign for a Bucks team that has fallen off defensively and on the glass since he went on the shelf.
The most notable exclusion from the Bucks' roster? Forget about Mike Redd--it's head coach Scott Skiles. The NBA suspended Skiles today for a game as a result of his first quarter outburst in Washington on Wednesday. Jim Boylan will once again act as head coach. UPDATE: ESPN notes Skiles' suspension is the first in seven years for a head coach. Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long. I know Skiles loitered on the court a bit before he finally left, but it seems kind of crazy to think that it was the worst outburst in seven years.