Pistons 2013-14 Schedule Released
AUBURN HILLS – The Detroit Pistons, led by summer acquisitions Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, Chauncey Billups and the young core of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, will open the 2013-14 season at home against 2011 NBA All-Rookie First Team member John Wall and the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday, October 30, it was announced Monday by the National Basketball Association.
New Pistons Head Coach Maurice Cheeks will make his Detroit debut along with 2013 first round pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Gigi Datome, last season's MVP of the Italian League.
Highlights of the Pistons' home schedule includes two match-ups against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the NBA Champion Miami HEAT (December 8 and March 28) as well as two games with the new-look Brooklyn Nets led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson (December 13 and February 7). Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers visit the day after Thanksgiving on November 29, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder visit November 8 and Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and the Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs visit February 10. Central Division rivals visiting The Palace twice include Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls (November 27 and March 5) along with NBA All-Stars Paul George, David West and the Eastern Conference finalist Indiana Pacers (November 5 and March 15). Other match-ups include appearances by Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers (January 20), Dwight Howard, James Harden, Jeremy Lin and the Houston Rockets (December 21) and Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudamire and the New York Knicks (November 19 and March 3).
Saturday and Sunday games will feature give-a-ways for the first 5,000 youngsters 14-and-under and each game. "Hometown Hero Mondays" will salute our local members of the military, veterans, first responders and community leaders, "Two-sdays" will once again provide fans special deals and extra value on concessions and merchandise while "Wired Wednesdays" will take fans behind the scenes with inside access to audio and video from players, coaches and entertainment teams.
"Power Hour," beginning 90 minutes prior to each game in the North Pavilion, will return this season offering fans merchandise and food and beverage specials along with special appearances from players, legends, broadcasters and Pistons entertainment teams.
"We are excited to announce the 2013-14 Pistons' regular-season schedule and pleased that 24 home games will be played on weekend or holiday dates," said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. "We look forward to showcasing another round of renovations currently underway at The Palace while thrilling our fans with compelling game action, nightly entertainment, exciting interactive opportunities and outstanding customer service."
Detroit plays eight of nine games at home from February 7-24. A season-long five-game homestand during that stretch includes games with Brooklyn (February 7), Denver (February 8), San Antonio (February 10), Cleveland (February 12) and Charlotte (February 18). The Pistons have two four-game road trips. After beginning the season with four of its first five games at home, Detroit heads out west to visit Portland (November 11), Golden State (November 12), Sacramento (November 15) and the L.A. Lakers (November 17). In March the club heads back out west for games at Denver (March 19), Phoenix (March 21), L.A. Clippers (March 22) and Utah (March 24).
Detroit will make four national television appearances with two games on ESPN and two games on NBA TV. ESPN will broadcast the Pistons' games at Sacramento on Friday, November 15 and at Orlando on Wednesday, February 5. NBA TV will broadcast Detroit's match-up vs. Denver on Saturday, February 8 and at Boston on Sunday, March 9. The club's local television schedule on Fox Sports Detroit will be announced at a later date.
The club will play 20 sets of back-to-back games this season. Five of its back-to-back sets fall on the road, four begin on the road and conclude at home, eight are home-and-away and three are home-home back-to-backs.
The complete 2013-14 schedule - HERE.
