Charlotte Bobcats at Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday | News & Observer

Bobcats at Pistons

7:30 p.m., Palace of Auburn Hills

TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610

Projected Starters

Bobcats		Pistons
Pos, Player	Ppg	Rpg		Pos, Player	Ppg	Rpg
G, K. Walker	18.1	4.3		G, B. Jennings	17.8	3.3
G, G. Henderson	15.1	4.2		G, K. Singler	8.7	3.6
F, M. Kidd-Gilchrist	7.9	4.9		F, J. Smith	16.0	7.0
F, J. McRoberts	8.2	5.1		F, G. Monroe	14.3	8.7
C, A. Jefferson	20.1	10.5		C, A. Drummond	13.0	12.9

Matchup to Watch

Andre Drummond vs. Al Jefferson: True low-post scorers have dwindled as more and more big men migrate to face the basket and take jump shots. These two are the real deal as far as going into the post, forcing double-teams and getting to the foul line.

Observations

• The stakes in this game are pretty obvious: The Pistons are just behind the Bobcats in the Eastern Conference standings, chasing the eighth and final spot in the playoffs. The Bobcats and Pistons play again Wednesday in Charlotte, the last game before Thursday’s trade deadline.

• The Pistons recently made a coaching change, firing

Mo Cheeks

months after he took this job. Longtime NBA assistant

John Loyer

is coaching on an interim basis. Despite all that drama, the Pistons won three of four before the All-Star break.

Tap-ins

• The Bobcats won on the road in the only previous meeting this season. There was a 30-point swing in that game over the last 30 minutes.

Kemba Walker

scored 34, one short of his career high.

• The Pistons lead the NBA in points in the paint, at 51.9 per game. The Bobcats’ defensive improvement this season has centered on guarding in the post without fouling.

Did you know?

The 20-point deficit overcome in Detroit was the second-biggest comeback in Bobcats history. They overcame a 22-point deficit to win in Atlanta in February of 2011.

Rick Bonnell