Pistons Set For Final Game At The Palace, A Standard-Setting Arena

The Pistons tonight will host their final game at The Palace of Auburn Hills, their home since '88, and the contest against the Wizards "will be more about reminiscing than positioning." Many former players and execs are "expected to be in attendance." The team will move to Little Caesars Arena next season (AP, 4/10). The arena is a "symbol" that "created the standard for which nearly every arena built since has tried to follow" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/8). The venue was "ahead of its time" as a "privately financed, state-of-the-art facility" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/8).

After moving from the "cavernous Pontiac Silverdome," the Pistons "got a more intimate feel from playing at The Palace." The arena "became a daunting venue for their dominance" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/7). MLIVE.com goes with the header, "Palace's Swan Song Muted As Anticipation Of Pistons' Downtown Move Swells."