ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Allen Iverson, Shooting guard Richard Hamilton, Small forward Tayshaun Prince, Power forward Rasheed Wallace, Center Kwame Brown. Bench -- Guard Rodney Stuckey, Guard Arron Afflalo, Forward Walter Herrmann, Forward Jason Maxiell, Forward Amir Johnson. PLAYER NOTES:
--G Rodney Stuckey took a hard fall during the second quarter Sunday when Phoenix C Shaquille O'Neal collared him on a layup attempt. O'Neal was ejected for his flagrant foul but Stuckey did not stop attacking the basket. He scored 12 points but got frustrated with the officiating when he was called for multiple offensive fouls in the fourth quarter.
--G Will Bynum gave the Pistons a brief spark during the fourth quarter with two quick layups, the second after he stripped the ball from Suns guard Steve Nash. Bynum is shooting 57.6 percent from the field, impressive for a point guard, but he's still essentially the 11th man on the roster.
--F Jason Maxiell was the Pistons' top reserve last season but his playing time has been cut, even after the trade of sixth man Antonio McDyess. Maxiell has only played an average of 11.5 minutes in the last four games. Maxiell is fighting not only Amir Johnson and Walter Herrmann for frontcourt minutes off the bench but also Curry's increasing use of smaller lineups.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Allen Iverson had his left knee heavily wrapped and braced after shoot-around Sunday but he played 36 minutes. Strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander said that is routine treatment for Iverson.
