The Detroit Pistons are out east for the weekend as Lawrence Frank's squad looks to pick up its first win of the season against the struggling Boston Celtics. The teams have combined to lose their first five games of the season, but Detroit will strive toward changing that in their favor when the game tips off at 7:30 on Fox Sports Detroit.
The Pistons will be without forward Charlie Villanueva as he sits out the final game of his suspension against the Celtics, meaning Detroit's frontcourt will have to step up in has absence if its going to pick up the victory. Greg Monroe is averaging just eight points and seven rebounds this season while veteran Tayshaun Prince has struggled his way to averages of six points and three rebounds after connecting on just seven of his 18 shot attempts.
As far as the Celtics are concerned, they could be without Paul Pierce once again as the All-Star swingman returns from injury. Considering Pierce averaged 24.5 points while shooting better than 57 percent from beyond the three-point arc when playing the Pistons last season, his absence would obviously be welcomed by those in the opposing locker room.
The coaching staffs should also be familiar with each other as Frank was an assistant under Celtics head coach Doc Rivers last season while former Pistons assistant Roy Rogers has moved on to the Celtics this season.
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