Pistons Top New Jersey With Ease

The Pistons never trailed Friday night in their victory over the struggling New Jersey Nets. Detroit cruised the whole way taking down the Nets 106-87. Rasheed was hot early followed by a dominant game from Antonio McDyess. That made if four straight for Detroit and seven straight at The Palace.

Key Points:

• Rip again sat his sore hip out. Arron Afflalo started in his place.
• For those of you who were waiting to see a little of Cheikh Samb, he was inactivated for the game in favor of Juan Dixon.
• No Piston starter played more than 24 minutes, not counting Afflalo who logged 27.
• Don't for one second think that Dyess can't jam.
• Impressive night for Tayshaun Price who played a bit at the point. Tay had 11 points, 5 assists, 3 boards and 2 steals. Aggressive in all the 23 minutes he was on the floor.
• Antonio McDyess shots were going through the hoop without even touching the rim. When Antonio's shots go down like that, nothing can stop him. It was great to see that everyone in charge of the ball when Dyess was out there knew just when to feed him the ball. Dyess led the Pistons with 19 points on 9-for-12 shooting with 6 boards, 2 steal and 2 blocked shots.

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• Antonio McDyess was the Player of the game. His post game interview was packed plenty of highlights.
• Plenty of Cats in the building.
• A whopping 29 assists on the night for Detroit. When the Pistons put up 25 or more team assists they are 26-0.
• Devin Harris is quick, but there was really nothing to report concerning a Stuckey/Harris matchup.
• 52% shooting on the night for Detroit.
• Jason Maxiell 16 minutes 4 points on 2-for-2 shooting with 6 boards. The Putback King brought the house down with this Jam.

Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and FSN Detroit

• Another impressive game from Arron Afflalo, 2 assists, 3 boards and 4 points. He was pushing the ball well and getting it to his teammates. I appreciate the fact that he doesn't try to do too much when he's out there with the starters.
• NBA.com Highlight of The Game.
• Nobody in the crowd could understand why Rodney Stuckey received a flagrant foul and when I checked the tape of the game I still couldn't figure it out. Flip didn't know either in the post game presser, but is convinced Mr. Dumars is already appealing it.
• I don't care what team you root for this Stromile Swift Jam was sick.
  
• Mr. Wallace was on fire going 7-for-11 for 17 points in 24 minutes. Sheed grabbed 8 boards and blocked a shot while being very vocal all night. Sheed was even screaming for his teammates shots to go down while they were bouncing on the rim.

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• 15 of Sheed's 17 came in the first half including the deep, deep three with seconds winding down in the half.
• Big win with 15 Pistons turnovers on the night.
• The Pistons largest lead was 27.
• Solid night for Amir Johnson, who eventually fouled out of the game. An Amirzing 7 points, 7 boards and 2 steals in 20 minutes. You got to love his baby hook down in the post.
• Juan Dixon scored 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting with 2 assists in 18 minutes. Dixon goes all out whenever he's on the floor. He's fighting for playing time just like the rest of the bench.
• Ratliff DNP.
• Herrmann, had plenty of time on the floor, but this was his only highlight of the night, and boy was The Palace crowd anxiously waiting for it.
• Rodney Stuckey was great again, Stuck scored 14 points and was an assist away from a double-double with 9. He also grabbed 4 boards and had a great takeaway that led to a wide open shot for Dixon. This falling circus shot with the foul was probably the highlight.

Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and FSN Detroit

• Hustle plays all night for Detroit.
• Board war won 48-31.
• Mr. Big shot got some rest but still put up 10 with 4 assists in 22 minutes.
• Going over the game tape today I noticed something that put a smile on my face. After a Pistons foul Sheed told either Nachbar or Krstic "you can't do that here, maybe in the Euro-League, but not here."
• Hapless Heat Sunday in Miami.