Detroit — It’s a rise-and-shine day for the Pistons and Houston Rockets.
Saturday is the first of two games this season with a noon tipoff time, which will take some adjustment from the team and players from a logistical standpoint, as well as with mental and physical preparation.
Basketball coaches and players tend to be creatures of habit and routine, and with the normal tip times at 7:00 or 7:30 p.m., trying to adjust to a noon start has its pitfalls.
“It's funny, but just trying to get your team awake and alive and ready to play, the first quarter is so important,” Pistons acting coach Rex Kalamian said Friday.