DETROIT (AP) --
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Austin Daye has earned a spot in the
Detroit Pistons' starting lineup with a strong preseason.
Coach John Kuester (KYOO'-ster) said Monday he expects to start
the 6-foot-11, 200-pound Daye at power forward. Detroit opens its
season at New Jersey on Wednesday night.
Daye averaged 5.1 points per game last season as a rookie, but
the Gonzaga product was impressive this preseason, playing more
minutes than anyone on the team and averaging 15.9 points. Daye
made a team-high 17 shots from 3-point range in exhibition games
and is capable of playing on the perimeter, but Kuester will now
depend on him to defend around the basket.
Detroit lost 6-foot-10 Jonas Jerebko to a torn Achilles' tendon.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
