Detroit led by as many as 12 in the first half and eight at the break.  The second half saw Clipper-newcomer Drew Gooden and Chris Kaman continue to exploit the Pistons’ lack of size upfront as they combined for 41 points and 28 rebounds.  Los Angeles got a huge performance down the stretch from Rasual Butler, who nailed a couple of 3s off of good ball movement (or bad defensive rotation).  He also had a huge block on Rodney Stuckey late in the game.

Key points of the night:

• Being that I live in LA, I decided to take this one in.  You’d be surprised at how many die-hard Clipper fans are here in “Lakerland”.
• For the second straight game, Detroit was outscored by at least double digits in the fourth quarter.
• Rip Hamilton missed six free throws (including 3 straight with seconds to go that would have brought the team within a point) snapping his streak of 51 consecutive makes. Although he nearly completed a four point opportunity on a silly foul again Eric Gordon.

Photo/Getty Images

• Clippers win the season series for the first time since 2000 and only the third time in over 20 years.
• In 26 minutes, Ben Wallace didn’t score but had 10 rebounds.
• Did Ben Gordon suit up tonight?  I’m just saying.
• There were a lot of Detroit fans in the house but, that’s not unusual against the Clippers.
• Another DNP-CD for Kwame Brown, this even during a game where the rebound war was lost 56-44.
• Drew Gooden has put up All-Star numbers against the Pistons this season especially in rebounds.
• If the Pistons had a legitimate low-post threat they’d be a playoff team.
• Before Rasual Butler’s late go-ahead three-pointer, the loudest cheers of the night were for a Michael Jackson look-alike in the crowd.
• Charlie Villaneuva might as well be wearing roller skates on defense. I’m sure no one would notice.
• Highlights of the Game Via NBA.com

• If it wasn’t for the logo on the court, you wouldn’t realize you were at a Clippers game at Staple Center.  There is nothing but Lakers championship banner and L.A. Kings retired jerseys in the rafters.  Even the WNBA team has something up.
• Kid Rock in the house.
• The road trip continues in Denver on Friday night against former Pistons Chauncey Billups and Aaron Affalo.
• I got a text from my Friend in LA who was also at the game that read “The are chanting Stukey’s – Suckey.” For real LA, that’s as original as you can get? (Natalie)

The Pistons began the four-game road trip Tuesday with a 101-89 win over the Kings in Sacramento. Rip Hamilton led the team with 30 points and Tayshaun Prince filled the statline with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block. The young Kings were led by future Rookie-of-the-year Tyreke Evans with 28 and 13 assists. Detroit jumped out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter before the Kings came back and closed it to three at quarters end. After relinquishing the lead early in the second, the Pistons stormed back to take back control and never trailed again. The team will head here to Los Angeles to face the Clippers Wednesday night. I may be there…

Key points of the night:

• Thoughts and prayers go out to coach John Kuester following the death of his father over the weekend.
• Detroit led by as many as 30 before the Kings rallied to within a dozen.
• Rodney Stuckey tallied 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists – despite of 4 turnovers.
• Looks like Tayshaun and Rip are healthy enough to have a meaningful impact for the stretch run.

• Pistons shot a sizzling 58.4% for the game.
• This is the Pistons’ first back-to-back wins since earlier this month versus the Nets and Bucks.
• This is also the first time the team has scored 100 points or more in back-to-back games since mid-December versus Denver and Golden State, both wins
• Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace played limited minutes due to foul trouble, while Chris Wilcox saw action… although he couldn’t hit a free throw to save his life.
• Rebound war tied at 34.
• The Swede is a tough kid for real.
• Highlights of the Game via NBA.com

• Another DNP-CD for Kwame Brown.
• Tyreke Evans is going to be a great player in this league.
• Did anyone know that Larry Hughes plays for the Kings?
• For so reason, this is only Detroit’s 3rd win in the last 13 games in Sacramento.

In what looked like a replay of Tuesday night’s game in Los Angeles, the Motown Sound was reduced to a whisper and a 20 point deficit after three quarters, then after a furious late rally (which cut the lead to one) fell short to the Blazers in Portland 87-81. Rodney Stuckey led the team with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and, 5 assists but shot a horrible 6-21. Charlie V seemed poised to erase his nightmare performance against the Lakers but picked up 2 quick fouls in first quarter. The Pistons will have two days off before continuing the trip in Utah on Saturday night.

Key points of the game:

• The Blazers led by 4 after one, then 10 at the half, before stretching it to 20 after 3.
• The Pistons used all three rookies in the fourth to mount the furious comeback which included a 10-0 run and outscored Portland 31-17.
• With the Blazers leading 78-77 with over a minute to go, the Pistons couldn’t secure a rebound which landed in Steve Blake’s hands. He would later in the possession hit a three to put the Blazers up 81-77, which put the Detroiters to bed.
• Someone tell Rodney Stuckey that he doesn’t have to force the action for himself all the time. It’ll be nice to set table for others every now and then.

Photo/Getty Images

• Pistons used a “tall ball” line-up to make the Blazers sweat this one out.
• Ben Wallace had a quiet 12 rebounds.
• I’m starting to come around to the thought that maybe the offense is better with Bynum on the floor.
• Charlie V scored 20 points, including a huge three and layup late to cut the lead to one, despite picking up some cheap fouls early. However, he could’ve kept that turn and fade-a-way three point attempt with 10 seconds.
• Hey another DaJuan Summers sighting!
• The Blazers got 20 apiece from stars Brandon Roy and LeMarcus Aldridge.
• Michigan Wolverines Fab Fiver Juwan Howard is still in the league?? Wow. Dude is just stealing money now. I wonder if Mike Peplowski, Orlando Woolridge, or Rafael Addison are available.
• Jay-Z made a song titled: Death to Auto tune, I proposed one: Death of Small Ball.
• Charlie V put up 20 with 3 boards in 16 minutes.

Photo/Getty Images

• The three guard lineup of Stuckey, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum leaves the team with defensive deficiencies.
• Late in the game the team implored a full-court trap that yielded positive results.
• Austin Daye made a nice contribution with his shooting and defense late.
• I swear Greg Oden looks like Lebron James’ older uncle. Anyhow the future career solid starter had 6 points, 10 boards, and 3 blocks.
• When’s Rip coming back?
• Pistons resume action Saturday night in Utah where they haven’t won since I was a natural blond (kidding but it’s been a long time).

Highlights of the Game Via NBA.com

After a promising start, the Pistons were overwhelmed by the Champion Lakers, but put on a late rally before falling 106-93. The Pistons were led by Will Bynum’s 24 points and 6 assists, while Kobe Bryant scored 40 to help stop LA’s two-game losing streak. Detroit falls to 5-6 on the young season and head to Portland Wednesday night.

Some key points:

• Despite a strained groin, Kobe takes advantage of the smaller Piston guards en route to 40 points (including an unnecessary three pointer late).
• For all the people who think that the team should trade Tayshaun or Rip, don’t you think they would have made a difference tonight?
• Lakers were without Pau Gasol and Luke Walton.
• Ben Gordon gets up there.
  

Photo/Getty Images

• Tayshaun made the trip. Rip talks retirement.
• Did Charlie V suit up tonight? I’m just asking.
• Big Ben Wallace tried his best but was outdone by LA’s low post offense.
• Living in LA, I had to watch the Lakers broadcast which made me angry, so I decided to mute the television. DirecTV blacked out the Fox Sports Detroit channel during due to the local broadcast, bummer.
• Lamar Odom nearly had a triple-double with triple 8’s.
• Hey a Dejuan Summers sighting!
• Another Bynumite night, we clearly had the Better Bynum!

Photo/Getty Images

• Austin Daye looked lost, while Jonas Jerebko seemed to agitate Kobe.
• Ben Gordon seemed to get frustrated so he decided to take it out on the rim with a rim rattler.
• Too many turnovers in a short period of time during the second quarter led to a ridiculous Lakers rally.
• While Ben Gordon was able to get off to a fast start, he was later neutralized while trying to defend Kobe.
• Pistons fell behind by as much as 28 points, then coach Kue went to a line-up of Bynum, Jerebko, Summers, Kwame, and Maxiell.
• Will Bynum block was nice but the rejection of the night goes to Jason Maxiell, who also got a tech for mixing it up with the other Bynum.

• Pistons have lost 2 in a row and look to avoid another “L” tonight in Portland.

Recap via NBA.com

Okay Pistons fans, I know it was tough to watch. I was there watching from the opening tip hoping for a more aggressive and passionate effort too. “There’s no way they will not bring it tonight” I thought. It’s the playoffs right?

Well again the game started off with more disjointed play and lack of passion. Rodney Stuckey seemingly was the only player interested in driving to the basket as everyone else settled for jumpers. The defense did nothing but allow Lebron to pad his stats for his MVP campaign.

With the Cavs now leading 2-0, what can we take from the current circumstance? I’d say that we should expect an entertaining game 3 as the series shifts to the “D” on Friday night.

Photo/Getty Images

Here’s what I think: as you all saw, the Cavs lead early in the fourth quarter 79-50 as they began resting their starters. The Pistons went with their bench players and suddenly like lightening the young and scrappy unit climbed back into contention cutting the once robust lead to seven, once the starters were reinstated the Cavs regained control.

So with the revelation that the starters, for whatever reason, can’t seem to compete for long stretches with these guys perhaps the second unit can provide the hustle and intensity needed to stay with this team?

It’s a bit obvious that the Cavs kinda put it on cruise in the fourth and I wonder if that is something that can be exploited.

Photo/Getty Images

Remember the 2006 series? Detroit was the league leading number one seed against the underdog Cavs. The Pistons won game one rather handily but, in game two Detroit lead by as much as 20 in the second half and the Cavs made a game of it. The Piston would hang on but the Cleveland team gained confidence and later went on to win the next three games before losing in seven.

It’s the playoffs and anything can happen. I’m just saying.

As the 2009 playoffs get underway, it seems as if no one is giving the Pistons any chance of competing with the mighty (at least record wise) Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether the series plays out to be as predicted, or if the boys from the “D” pull off the monumental upset, we need to show passionate support.

The one thing that I’ve enjoyed as a sports fan is proudly proclaiming that I am Pistons Fan. No matter how great the team has performed or how terrible, being a Pistons fan has been a joy and privilege for the last 25 years and counting.

It’s more than just being a fan of the team, for me it’s being a fan of the HOME team. Growing up in the inner city of Detroit, a place that has never had a great reputation for as long as I was there, team championships helped put us on the map. When the Pistons made their first finals appearance in 1988, the city felt electric. I neglect to mention, that years earlier that the Tigers won the ’84 World Series, but this was different—at least for me. The summer of ’88 felt like uncharted waters, with a team that had never been to the mountaintop. Seeing CBS Sports trucks and nationwide coverage in our city was exciting. Winning the title in 1989 and again in 1990 made me feel proud to not just be a fan of the red, white, and blue; but also a proud Detroiter. I also learned that sports could unite a community a lot better than tragedy.

Even through the lean years, the erosion of the post- bad boy era, the dreaded Sean Elliot 62-loss season, and the mediocre “horse-head teal” days, I held my head up high despite what seemed like everyone else jumped ship to root for the Bulls (I’m still bitter about that) I was proud to have MY team.

My point is that although the team posted its worse season in eight years, I’m not jumping ship. Even if the series goes as predicted, I’ll still be here with my Pistons jersey rooting for the good guys. I’ll still be hardcore with mine because that’s what we do!

I’ve read message boards sites (and I hate reading message boards) of opposing fans that are extremely joyful about this Pistons season, even some of our so-called fans who’d rather complain than rally. I know it’s not what we’re used to but come on gang!

It’s the playoffs! Let’s get behind these guys for support! If not to beat Cleveland, than to celebrate eight straight playoff appearances or that they are one of only two teams in American professional sports to win at least one title in each of the last three decades — bet you didn’t realize that huh? Well that’s why I’m here.

Let’s go Pistons Nation! I implore you join me in showing the world we can be the best fans under any circumstance!

We should be thankful to have had the joys of watching a team make a run of six straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, which included 2 Finals appearances and one NBA Championship.  We should also be proud to have witnessed our team succeed with “unselfish” players, who worked well off of and with one another and did it with a true tough-minded defensive identity.

But with the ravishes of time come change and one that is first met with resistance, so much so that fans and media people alike have not been thrilled about this season.

Aiding in this disappointment was the trade of the popular Chauncey Billups, the unenviable task of trying to integrate the talents of Allen Iverson, the hiring a rookie head coach in Michael Curry, seemingly uninspired play, and now a rash of injuries a month before the season concludes.

I’d like to think we as committed residence of PistonNation are smart enough to recognize that the team we had come to love and identify with had seen its best days. With three straight years of losing in the conference finals, other contenders starting to pass by like the new sports car fresh off the assembly line and players getting old, one would think that change had to happen. Moreover, if the team was kept together and went on to lose in the 2nd round or conference finals again then everyone would be screaming for something new any so what’s the difference?

I also believe we should be thankful to have a team president in Joe Dumars, who has the presence of mind to see decline and recognize a need for such change.  Besides, who’s better at determining such thing than a former player who has experienced the highs of winning in the NBA and the lows of the lottery?

In case you didn’t know (or forgot), Dumars played on a championship team where during his hall-of-fame career, he was not only an integral part, by winning a Finals MVP, he also was lauded for his cerebral sense and for being a multi-dimensional talent.  Unfortunately, he was also apart of a franchise that had fallen on hard times after the glory days, only to try to spray over the stink of mediocrity with bad personnel decisions and the dreaded horses head teal uniforms.

My point is that, all great teams have a point where they are off for at least a season but, stability and sound decision-making (which the Pistons have) will be the determining factor to how long the frustration will last.

None of us can predict the future but, I’m confident that we won’t see too many more seasons like this because, of the track record.  Think of this as the 2001 season reincarnated (one that included: Mateen Cleaves, Joe Smith, and John Wallace) which was a season of salary cap clearing and developing youth.  Just that team didn’t make the playoffs.  Also the team was loaded with cap space, a new coach, and a budding star on the rise…. Sound familiar?

So let’s be appreciative of what we’ve enjoyed and also take our lumps from all the other so-called fans of the “popular” teams. It will make it that much sweater when we’re right back on top…. Right?