Eastern conference.(NBA Preview)

Detroit PISTONS

[1] COMING OUT SWINGING: The Pistons had only two months to adjust to PF Rasheed Wallace before entering the playoffs last season and still won the championship. With Wallace in the fold from the start, there's no reason to think the impenetrable defense, team-first offense and clutch play the Pistons displayed throughout the playoffs won't be seen again. Wallace and C Ben Wallace are the best interior defensive duo in the league. Add in SF Tayshaun Prince's rangy defense on the perimeter and coach Larry Brown's dedication to limiting points, and you have this: After trading for Wallace, the Pistons allowed 100 points only once in 49 regular-season and playoff games, and that happened in a three-overtime game. All five starters can play two positions on offense and defense, which makes lack of depth--particularly in the backcourt--less of a problem. SG Richard Hamilton would be a regular 20-point scorer on a less talented team but still can get 20 when it's needed. Chauncey Billups isn't the pass-first point guard Brown would prefer, but he knows when to get the ball to Hamilton or Rasheed Wallace.

AGAINST THE ROPES: Rookie SG Carlos Delfino had a solid season in Italy last year, but he and PG Lindsey Hunter are a steep drop-off from Hamilton and Billups. The team is counting on PF Antonio McDyess to be the first big man off the bench, but he has played 52 games the last three seasons because of knee problems.

Fortunately for Detroit, all five starters are durable. The player the team could least afford to lose to injury is Rasheed Wallace, who is the consistent low-post scorer Detroit had been missing. The only knock on Wallace: He doesn't go inside enough; at times, he falls in love with the 3-point shot.--Dan Graf

SEAN DEVENEY'S SCORECARD

The starting five return, including Rasheed Wallace, who turned the Pistons from a pretty good defensive team into a team that won a championship with defense.

PROJECTED LINEUP