Aaron Feldstein - AccuScore Analyst

Wednesday’s match up of the Detroit Pistons and the New Jersey Nets pits two of the better Eastern Conference franchises of this decade. Both the Nets and the Pistons each went to the finals twice.

Now each franchise is looking to revamp the roster and make a run at the title. Within the calendar year, both teams shipped its’ franchise point guards out in hopes of bringing in new blood.

For Detroit, that new blood was former MVP Allen Iverson. The Pistons were unbeaten (4-0) before Iverson landed on the scene, and since have gone a decent 14-11. But more recently, they have won four in a row including Monday’s big win against the team many say is No. 3 in the East, the Orlando Magic. Iverson has watched his role change. The shooting guard, who has averaged 27.6 points per game in his career, is averaging only 18.1 this season and has only scored 20 points once in the last five games.

Vince Carter is the only starter on the Nets that was there a year ago. New Jersey has completely revamped the team and it starts at the point guard position with Devin Harris. Harris, who came over from Dallas in the Jason Kidd trade, is averaging 23.8 points per game – sixth highest in the league. The four-year guard out of Wisconsin is averaging nine more points than he did a year ago, which is No. 1 in the league for point increase.

Richard Hamilton is a game-time decision for Detroit, but his presence doesn’t change the outcome of these two teams on the lower end of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. AccuScore simulates the Pistons defeated the Nets, as Detroit won 60 percent of the simulations by an average score of 97 to 95.

Detroit is led by Iverson, who is forecasted to net 19 points and shoot 44 percent from the field. Rodney Stuckey, who has stepped up the last two games without Hamilton, is projected to score 15 points, dish out six assists and pull down four boards. Both these players’ numbers could increase if Hamilton sits on the bench with a left groin strain.

The Nets are simulated to have two players score in the twenties. Both Harris and Carter are projected to score 23 and 21 points, respectively. Unfortunately, no other player is forecasted to finish in double-digits. The closest is rookie center Brook Lopez, who is simulated to score nine points, grab nine boards and have two blocks.