Charlotte Bobcats at Detroit Pistons game preview

The Bobcats and Pistons will meet for the third time since February 20, with the Pistons leading the season series 2-1. When these two teams last met they played a close game in Charlotte, but unfortunately the Bobcats found themselves on the wrong end of heartbreak, losing 92-91. The Bobcats have lost eight of their last 10, including three in a row, but should be fresh having had three days of rest since their last game against Memphis. As for the Pistons, they enter tonight's contest having won two in a row and four of their last five.

Once again the Bobcats may be without forward Byron Mullens, who didn't play Tuesday against Memphis with a bruised elbow and is still listed as questionable for tonight's game. Yet, it's not as if the 'Cats will be the only ones dealing with injuries; the Pistons are without Jason Maxiell for the rest of the season and Jose Calderon missed Wednesday's game against the Cavs with a strained right tricep.

A big factor in tonight's game could be the turnover battle. The Pistons turn the ball over 14% of the time, which is the twenty-third worst rank in the league, while the Bobcats rank seventh in the league in turnover percentage. Given the injuries to key players, this game already had a lot of ugly potential, and if it comes down to turnovers it could become even more aesthetically displeasing. But getting those extra possessions via turnovers could mitigate the disparity between the teams' rebounding abilities and give the Bobcats some extra scoring opportunities..

This is likely a must-win game if the Bobcats want to build any late-season momentum with consecutive games against Milwaukee and New York coming up next.

Derek's Preseason Prediction Watch: Losing to Memphis gave the Bobcats 60 losses, meaning that they can do no better than my prediction of 22 wins. With that being said, LET'S GO BOBCATS!!1! #DoItForDerek