Ben Gordon has a team-high nine turnovers in Detroit's first two preseason games.AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons committed just two turnovers in the first quarter Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks and led 31-20.
The Pistons committed 20 turnovers the rest of the way and found themselves in a dogfight, eventually claiming a 115-110 win.
"You're fortunate to come out with a victory when you do something like that," Pistons coach John Kuester said after practice Sunday. "You've got to be focused with the basketball."
That will be one area of concentration for the Pistons tonight when they host the Atlanta Hawks in a preseason game at The Palace. The Pistons have committed 39 turnovers in their first two preseason games.
"Go back to basics and make the easy pass," Kuester said when asked how a team works on cutting down on turnovers. "Don't start making the home run pass. Just make it simple, and then you'll be able to make plays that are a little bit more difficult. Three on two, make the simple play. Four on three, hit the open guy. It's amazing how simple it sounds, but it's so important."
Ben Gordon has a team-high nine turnovers in the preseason, while Rodney Stuckey has seven.
The Pistons averaged 12.6 turnovers per game last season. Just four teams in the NBA averaged fewer turnovers in 2009-10.
NAME GAME
Richard Hamilton was all smiles after practice while talking about the birth of his second son, Parker Chase Hamilton -- or "Lil Rip," as Hamilton is calling him.
"I can't put into words how happy I am," he said.
Parker was born Wednesday and was named Parker Chase Hamilton because, well, mom said so.
"My wife did," Hamilton said, explaining who chose the name. "I got to pick the first one, so she got to pick the second one. But I get the nickname."
Hamilton's oldest son, Richard Clay Hamilton II, will turn 3 later this month. Lil Rip's big brother is nicknamed "Deuce."
INJURY UPDATE
Charlie Villanueva (hamstring), Tracy McGrady (rest) and Chris Wilcox (hamstring) did not practice Sunday. All three will be game-time decisions for tonight's preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks.
If Villanueva does not play, the Pistons will start their third different player at power forward in as many preseason games. Jonas Jerebko (torn Achilles tendon) started at power forward in the preseason opener.