Chauncey Billups To Revisit the Palace For the First Time as an Ex-Piston

Tonight, the Denver Nuggets travel to Detroit to face off against the Detroit Pistons.

The Nuggets are looking to continue their dominance and tie up the Northwest Division, while the Pistons, coming off back-to-back road wins against Boston and Orlando, look to continue their positive momentum.

But never mind that.

Tonight, one of Detroit's most beloved sports heroes returns home to face his former team in his former arena.

Emotions are sure to run high, especially among a fan base that largely points to the 2004 Finals MVP's departure as the primary reason for the Pistons' decline to mediocrity this season.

For sure, Billups is missed by this year's Pistons, but the team will likely never again see him as anything but a rival from here on.

Aside from the game itself, there are a number of questions begged by tonight's game.

What kind of introduction will Billups get at the Palace?

There is no question that he will receive a rousing ovation from a sold-out crowd at the Palace, but will the crowd hear the traditional "B-B-B-Billups!" introduction from PA announcer John Mason?

How long will it take for the Billups sentimentality to wear off in favor of the home team?

Who will win the inevitable Rodney Stuckey/Billups matchup?

Will Billups instinctively hit Rip Hamilton on a mid-range curl?

In a game like this, talking about winners and losers almost cheapens it, but it is a question nonetheless. If the Pistons win tonight's matchup, does it provide some legitimacy to the decision to trade him, even with Allen Iverson out of the lineup?

Can the Pistons revive a season that appeared dead with consecutive wins over three top-tier teams?

There are many questions surrounding tonight's game, and most of them have no league-wide implications.

But to a Pistons fan, March 3 is the last and only chance to see Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups, on what many still wish were his home floor.