--Forward Antonio McDyess will not play as much as he did last season. For a big man who entered the league in 1995, that's probably a good thing. McDyess' advancing age -- he's 34 -- is one of the reasons why he's returned to his former role of first big man off the bench. He averaged 29.3 minutes last season, approximately eight more than he did in his first three seasons in Detroit.
McDyess played 19 minutes in the opener and scored eight points.
--Coach Michael Curry pulled a surprise against Indiana by playing reserves Arron Afflalo and Walter Herrmann at the same time in the second quarter. They're supposed to share a rotation spot behind Tayshaun Prince.
That decision paid off as Herrmann scored eight second-quarter points and Afflalo added five as the Pistons built a 10-point halftime lead.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Always when you play an opening game, whether it's home or on the road, there's a lot of nerves, a lot of anticipation. You make more mistakes than you probably should but that's just what the first game is all about." -- Guard Chauncey Billups, on Detroit's six-point win over Indiana.
