Rasheed Wallace Tangles With Former Team as Celtics Visit Detroit Pistons

The Celtics have now lost back-to-back games and seven of their last 11, but things are looking up. Kevin Garnett is nearing a return to action this week, and his partner in crime, Rasheed Wallace, is already back — and just in time.

Wallace and the C's visit Detroit on Wednesday night, where the veteran forward will reunite with a Pistons team he led for six seasons. The Motor City squad is in disarray without Rasheed's presence, and the Celtics will look to steal a win from the reeling Pistons.

When and Where

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSNE)
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Records

Celtics (27-12, first place in Atlantic Division, second place in Eastern Conference)
Pistons (14-26, fourth place in Central Division, 11th place in Eastern Conference)

Head to Head

This is the Celtics' first meeting with Detroit this season. The C's have won five of their last seven regular-season games with the Pistons, dating back two seasons. These two teams also met up in the final round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2008. The C's won that series four games to two before beating the Lakers in the Finals to win their 17th NBA championship.

Skinny

It's been a rough year for the Pistons, who have some work to do if they want to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001. They're aging, they're battling injuries, and they're struggling in the absence of Rasheed Wallace. With Jason Maxiell moving into the starting five and Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon bringing some offensive firepower off the bench, the Pistons are deep at the forward positions, but they're missing Sheed's defensive prowess and leadership on the floor. The Pistons are heading for rebuilding mode soon.

Starting Lineups

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Rasheed Wallace
Center: Kendrick Perkins

Pistons
Point guard: Rodney Stuckey
Shooting guard: Richard Hamilton
Small forward: Tayshaun Prince
Power forward: Jonas Jerebko
Center: Ben Wallace

Stat Sheet

Celtics
The Celtics are 16-5 on the road this season. They need a win in Detroit to tie Cleveland for the most road victories in the East with 17.

They are shooting an NBA-best 48.8 percent from the floor.

Kendrick Perkins is shooting a league-best 63.9 percent.

Paul Pierce's 46.8 percent shooting from 3-point range is the best mark of his career.

Rajon Rondo had two steals against Dallas on Monday night, bringing his season total to an NBA-leading 94.

In nine seasons before joining the Pistons in 2004, Rasheed Wallace played against Detroit 13 times. He averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds.

Ray Allen has slipped to third in the NBA in free-throw percentage at 90.7 percent, trailing the Suns' Steve Nash and the Wizards' Randy Foye.

Pistons
The Pistons are 3-6 against Atlantic Division opponents this season.

They have attempted only 166 3-pointers, fourth-fewest of any NBA team.

Rodney Stuckey ranks 31st in the NBA with 18.2 points per game.

Ben Wallace ranks third in the NBA with 158 offensive rebounds.

Tayshaun Prince is averaging 8.9 points per game this season, a career low.

Chucky Atkins has made a remarkable 21 of 22 free-throw attempts this season.

Richard Hamilton averages 18.1 points per game against the Celtics in his career.

Black and Blue

Celtics
Rasheed Wallace returned Monday night against Dallas from a sore left foot that had kept him out of action for three games.

Paul Pierce also played Monday despite a sore right knee.

Kevin Garnett, who has missed nearly a month with a hyperextended right knee, practiced with the team Tuesday afternoon. He will not play Wednesday night but hopes to return Friday, at home against Portland.

Pistons
Tayshaun Prince missed Monday's game against New York with a sore left knee. He practiced with the team Tuesday and is questionable to return.

Ben Gordon missed Monday's game with a strained right groin. He is also questionable.

Richard Hamilton is suffering from a stomach flu, but he is likely to play Wednesday.

This Date in Celtics History

In 1995, the Los Angeles Lakers visit the old Boston Garden for the last time. L.A. wins the game, 120-118, behind 31 points from Cedric Ceballos and 30 from Elden Campbell.

Overheard

"He talks to everybody. That’s his thing. He’s going to talk, he’s not going to like calls and he’s going to knock down a couple treys. That’s Rasheed."
–Pistons center Ben Wallace, on MLive.com, on what to expect from Rasheed Wallace in his return to Detroit

Press Box

Celtics
The Celtics fell behind in the transition game.

Kevin Garnett's not coming back just yet.

This team needs a shot in the arm.

Pistons
The Pistons are ready for Rasheed.

Jonas Jerebko plays the point?

The franchise's future remains in doubt.

NBA
Shaquille O'Neal reached the 28,000-point milestone.

Kobe Bryant has unfinished business in L.A.

The Orlando Magic are in trouble.

Outlook

This is a homecoming game for Rasheed Wallace, but more importantly, it's a must-win game for the Celtics. The C's have had enough of this losing slide, and they need to get back on track if they want to keep up with the Cavaliers and Hawks in a competitive Eastern Conference race. They've beaten the Pistons without Kevin Garnett before, and they'd better do it again. The onus is on Wallace and Paul Pierce to give everything they've got to putting out a strong defensive effort. From there, the C's should be in good shape.