SB Nation Detroit: All Posts by Jason Patthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-12-22T13:08:16-05:00https://detroit.sbnation.com/authors/jason-patt/rss2012-12-22T13:08:16-05:002012-12-22T13:08:16-05:00Pistons 4th in Central Division
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<p>The Pistons snapped their six-game losing streak on Friday and remain fourth in the Central Division thanks to the struggles of the Cavaliers. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> ended a six-game losing streak on Friday, beating the woeful <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> 100-68. The victory moved the Pistons to 8-21 on the season, and they remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division thanks to the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>' own struggles.</p>
<p>The Pistons sit 2½ games ahead of the Cavs, as Cleveland has lost six straight games and hold a record of 5-23, second worst in the East ahead of just the Wizards. Detroit and Washington face off again on Saturday night.</p>
<p>While the Pistons and Cavs sit way back in the Central, there's currently a good battle going on at the top. The <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> lead the division by one game over the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> and <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Pacers</a> with a record of 15-10. The Bucks sit at 14-11, and are percentage points ahead of the Pacers, who are 15-12. Those three teams currently hold the fourth through sixth spots in the East.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/22/3795482/nba-standings-2012-pistonsJason Patt2012-12-17T22:06:04-05:002012-12-17T22:06:04-05:00Pistons fade late, lose to Clippers
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<p>The Pistons stayed close with the Clippers through three quarters, but could not come up with enough plays late in an 88-76 loss. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> stayed close with the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> for three quarters on Monday night, but did not muster enough firepower to come up with a victory. The Pistons fell, 88-76, as the Clippers pulled away in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Detroit (7-20) was outscored 21-20 in each of the first three quarters, so they went into the fourth quarter trailing by just three points. The Pistons immediately got the score within one, but the Clippers (18-6) responded with a 12-2 run that gave them some breathing room. Detroit would not get within six the rest of the game.</p>
<p><span>Jamal Crawford</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span> both scored 15 points to lead the Clippers. <span>Chris Paul</span> added 14 points and seven assists.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Knight</span> led the Pistons with 16 points, but he shot just 5-of-16 from the field. <span>Tayshaun Prince</span> had 15 points and seven rebounds. Detroit shot just 40.8 percent from the field and turned the ball over 15 times.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/17/3778808/detroit-pistons-la-clippers-score-recapJason Patt2012-12-17T20:27:13-05:002012-12-17T20:27:13-05:00Lions CB Lacey could be out for rest of season
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<p>Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey underwent tests on his knee Monday and could be out for the season. </p> <p><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> cornerback <span>Jacob Lacey</span> underwent tests on his injured left knee Monday, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that while there's no ligament damage, the injury <a href="https://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/280761124356505602">"could be significant."</a> Lions head coach Jim Schwartz also <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DetroitLionsNFL/status/280761117079371776">said that he could miss the rest of the season</a>.</p>
<p>Lacey injured his knee on the opening drive of the Lions' ugly 38-10 defeat at the hands of the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>. The cornerback hurt himself trying to tackle Cardinals receiver <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> and did not return to the game. Lacey has had issues with injuries all season: He has missed three full games, but has also been forced to leave other contests.</p>
<p>For the season, Lacey has 36 tackles, four passes defended and one interception. He is a free agent after this season, and it remains to be seen if this injury will have any effect on whether the Lions re-sign him or not.</p>
<p>Detroit hosts the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/17/3778522/jacob-lacey-injury-detroit-lionsJason Patt2012-12-15T14:59:55-05:002012-12-15T14:59:55-05:00Michigan's Norfleet moves from RB to CB
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<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Michigan's Dennis Norfleet has moved from running back to cornerback and could see time there in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina. The freshman will continue to return kicks. </p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> coach Brady Hoke revealed Friday evening that freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159538/dennis-norfleet" class="sbn-auto-link">Dennis Norfleet</a> has moved from running back to cornerback and could play there in the Outback Bowl against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks" class="sbn-auto-link">South Carolina Gamecocks</a>.</p>
<p>Norfleet has been excellent as Michigan's kick returner this season, but he has not seen that much time on offense. Hoke and the coaches began to talk during the season about moving Norfleet to defense, with the move finally coming two weeks ago.</p>
<p>The 5'7" Norfleet has impressed coaches so far with his athleticism on defense (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/12/freshman_dennis_norfleet_moves.html">via mlive.com</a>):</p>
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<p>"He's done a nice job so far," Hoke said. "He's a good football player, and let's give him an opportunity to get on the field. Get into different packages, you could get him on the field easier.</p>
<p>"His ball skills are pretty daggone good. He's not the biggest guy in the world, obviously, but he's a competitor and loves to play."</p>
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<p>Norfleet does have previous experience playing cornerback, as he played the position his sophomore and junior seasons at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit. If he does see time in the bowl game, he will likely play some nickel back, cutting into the playing time of junior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113844/courtney-avery" class="sbn-auto-link">Courtney Avery</a>.</p>
<p>This move will have no effect on Norfleet's duties as Michigan's kick returner. The freshman is ranked third in the Big Ten in kick return average at 23.4 yards per attempt.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-football/2012/12/15/3770694/dennis-norfleet-michigan-footballJason Patt2012-12-15T12:51:35-05:002012-12-15T12:51:35-05:00Beilein faces WVU for first time as coach of UM
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<p>John Beilein faces his old school for the first time when No. 3 Michigan faces West Virginia in the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival on Saturday night. </p> <p>John Beilein became a hot coaching commodity thanks to his work at West Virginia, and now the coach of the No. 3 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> gets to face his old team for the first time when the two schools square off on Saturday night in the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival at Barclays Center.</p>
<p>Beilein enjoyed a successful run at West Virginia, leading them to an Elite 8 in 2005, a Sweet 16 in 2006 and an NIT Championship in 2007. He then left for Michigan, where he has helped bring the Wolverines back near the top of the college basketball world.</p>
<p>The Wolverines have started the season 10-0, which is the school's best start since the 1988-89 season. That year, Michigan won a national title. This season, the Wolverines have been dominant on both sides of the ball, scoring 77.9 points per game and allowing just 56.7 points per game.</p>
<p>Michigan is coming off a 67-39 victory over Binghamton on Tuesday. Star guard and leading scorer <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a> scored 19 points in the victory.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Mountaineers have struggled somewhat to start the year, holding a record of 4-4. West Virginia blew a 13-point halftime lead in a 60-56 loss to Duquesne on Tuesday.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2012/12/15/3770288/michigan-west-virginia-basketball-brooklyn-winter-hoops-festivalJason Patt2012-12-15T12:16:00-05:002012-12-15T12:16:00-05:00Struggling Pistons 4th in Central Division
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<p>The Pistons sit at 7-18 and are in fourth place in the Central Division, just 1½ games ahead of the last place Cavaliers. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> have lost three straight games and remain in fourth place in the Central Division with a record of 7-18. The Pistons sit 1<span id="internal-source-marker_0.766647371230647">½ games ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, who are in last place with a record of 5-19. </span></p>
<p>The Pistons last win came against the Cavaliers last Saturday. Detroit lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> in double overtime on Friday night on a <span>Joe Johnson</span> jumper at the buzzer to fall to 7-18. The Pistons face the division rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> on Saturday night. Indiana is 12-11 and one game behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> in the Central, who are both 12-9 on the season.</p>
<p>The streaking <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> currently sit atop the Eastern Conference, sporting a record of 17-5. The Knicks have won three straight games, including a big 116-107 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> on Thursday night. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> are both two games behind the Knicks with matching 14-6 records.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/15/3770176/nba-2012-standings-pistonsJason Patt2012-12-10T23:46:36-05:002012-12-10T23:46:36-05:00Pistons host Nuggets in second of back-to-back
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<p>The Pistons look to bounce back from a loss on Monday when the Nuggets visit Detroit on Tuesday. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> will be on the second night of a back-to-back when they host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> Tuesday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>The Pistons lost, 104-97, to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> on Monday night, as <span>Jrue Holiday</span> took over down the stretch. Holiday scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter while also notching eight assists. <span>Greg Monroe</span> and <span>Brandon Knight</span> led Detroit with 22 points apiece.</p>
<p>The Nuggets are coming off a tough 112-106 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> on Sunday. Former Nugget <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> scored 34 points in his return to action after missing some time with a lacerated finger. <span>Ty Lawson</span> scored 23 points for Denver and <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> chipped in with 21.</p>
<p>Detroit and Denver played back on Nov. 6, with the Nuggets handling the Pistons, 109-97. Monroe scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome a balanced scoring effort by Denver.</p>
<p>While Detroit is at 7-16 on the season, the Pistons do sport a respectable 5-5 record at home. Meanwhile, Denver has gone just 5-10 on the road.</p>
<p><b>Game Time:</b> 7:30 p.m. ET at The Palace of Auburn Hills</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Fox Sports Detroit</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/10/3753496/nuggets-vs-pistons-preview-game-time-tv-scheduleJason Patt2012-12-03T22:01:17-05:002012-12-03T22:01:17-05:00Pistons' defense stymies Cavs in victory
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<p>The Detroit Pistons held the Cleveland Cavaliers to 33.7 percent shooting in a 89-79 win on Monday night. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> outlasted the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> 89-79 in a rather ugly affair at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Monday night.</p>
<p>Detroit started out hot, racing to a 56-39 halftime lead. However, the Pistons' offense fell apart in the second half, as they notched just 33 second-half points. Luckily for Detroit, its defense was able to keep Cleveland at bay. The Cavs got the deficit within six in the fourth quarter, but were never able to get closer than that.</p>
<p>Detroit held Cleveland to just 33.7 percent shooting and 15 percent (3-of-20) from three-point land. The Pistons did allow the Cavs to grab 20 offensive rebounds, but Cleveland was not able to take full advantage of the extra opportunities.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Knight</span> led Detroit with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. Both <span>Tayshaun Prince</span> and <span>Kyle Singler</span> added 15 points for the Pistons, who improved to 6-13 on the season.</p>
<p>Cleveland's lone bright spot was <span>Anderson Varejao</span>, who continued his monster start to the season with 17 points and 18 rebounds. The Cavs fell to 4-14 and are desperately awaiting the return of <span>Kyrie Irving</span> from a broken finger.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/3/3725054/detroit-pistons-cleveland-cavaliers-score-recapJason Patt2012-12-03T20:33:22-05:002012-12-03T20:33:22-05:00UM's Stauskas wins Big Ten Frosh of Week again
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<p>Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the second straight week after brilliant performances against North Carolina State and Bradley. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> guard <a href="https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/275649330663276544" target="_blank">Nik Stauskas was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week</a> for the second straight time after two dynamite performances this past week.</p>
<p>Stauskas, who was recently inserted into the starting lineup, averaged 21.0 points on 56 percent shooting in two Michigan wins. First, the star freshman scored 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 4-of-7 from three in a win over the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.</p>
<p>Michigan coach John Beilein rewarded Stauskas with his first career start on Saturday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/bradley-braves">Bradley Braves</a>, and the freshman responded with another huge performance. Stauskas scored 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 4-of-5 from three-point land to help lead the Wolverines to a 74-66 road victory over the Braves.</p>
<p>For the season, the 6'6 guard is averaging 14.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game. Stauskas is shooting 57.7 percent from the field and a scorching 62.1 percent from long range.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2012/12/3/3724776/big-ten-freshman-basketball-nik-stauskasJason Patt2012-12-03T20:21:23-05:002012-12-03T20:21:23-05:00Michigan remains at No. 3 in AP and Coaches' Polls
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<p>The Michigan Wolverines remain at No. 3 in both polls, while the Michigan State Spartans dropped to No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. </p> <p>The Michigan Wolverines held steady at No. 3 in the latest <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings">AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches' Polls</a>. The Wolverines remain behind the Indiana Hoosiers and Duke Blue Devils.</p>
<p>Michigan moved to 7-0 on the season after a 2-0 week, including a key 79-72 victory over the then No. 18 North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Star guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke" class="sbn-auto-link">Trey Burke</a> scored 18 points and dished out 11 assists in the home victory.</p>
<p>Michigan also pulled out a tough 74-66 victory on the road when they beat the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/bradley-braves" class="sbn-auto-link">Bradley Braves</a> on Saturday. In Nik Stauskas' first start, the freshman scored 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting to lead the Wolverines.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the Michigan State Spartans dropped from No. 13 to No. 19 in the AP Poll and from No. 14 to No. 17 in the Coaches' Poll after splitting two games last week. The Spartans were upset in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/miami-hurricanes" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Hurricanes</a> before easily dispatching Nicholls State. Michigan State currently sits at 6-2 on the year.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2012/12/3/3724680/ncaa-basketball-rankings-2012-michigan-msuJason Patt