Sunday night’s game at the Palace was important for both teams trying to make the playoffs. It may have meant more to the Bobcats, who are trying to knock Detroit out of the eight spot, but thanks to a record-breaking career high from Will Bynum the Pistons are a step closer to locking in on a playoff spot. The 104-97 victory snapped a three game Pistons losing streak and put their playoff magic number at 2 games.
Key Points:
- Pistons again blew a big (17 point) first half lead to make this a close one.
- Bynum was 6-for-6 from the field and 14-for-16 from the line in the fourth quarter.
- Bynum’s 26 in the fourth quarter is a new franchise record, topping the old mark of 24 held by Isiah Thomas and Jerry Stackhouse.
- Bynum scored 12 in the first 6 minutes of the fourth.
- Bynum carried Detroit with his 32 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 7 assists, 4 boards, a steal and just one turnover in 26 minutes on the floor.
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- Bynum Highlights
- From Will Bynum’s locker room interview when asked about his performance. “It’s really not me, it’s my teammates and the coaching staff. I don’t deserve all the credit, it was pretty much them, those guys out there setting the screens and the coaching staff believing in me. That’s who gets the credit for it.”
- No points for Kwame Brown who has been playing great ball in Sheed’s absence, but he did grab 9 boards and blocked a shot in 18 minutes Sunday night. We don’t need him to score, but we do need him to do what he has been doing. Nice to see Kwame making the most of the role he’s been put in.
- Pleased and surprised that Curry didn’t substitute the starter Stuckey for the hot Bynum in the closing minutes. “I like to get Stuckey back at about the six-minute mark,” he said. “The way things were going tonight … it was a unique night. Twenty-six points, the most ever by a Piston player in a quarter.” Via Pistons.com
- The win puts the Pistons into a tie with the Bulls for seventh in the East.
- Rip Hamilton ejected after being assessed a second technical foul in the third quarter after scoring 13 points with 3 assists. With the importance of the game and Detroit’s playoff predicament, I’m disappointed that Rip couldn’t control his temper. It’s bad enough we lost Sheed for the Philly game, but I come to expect a little more from Rip.
- An absolutely SHEEDtastic turn and shoot long range three pointer from Sheed in the second quarter with the shot clock running down. Sheed finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, with 3 steals, 6 boards and a blocked shot in his first game back in his starting role since his injury.
- Four minutes for Walter Herrmann who made the only shot he took, a second quarter three pointer.
- Looks like we will see Will next season at the Palace, the Pistons can keep him for next season by picking up his $825,000 option.
- Charlotte trailed by just 3 with 13.3 seconds left before Bynum knocked down free throws to seal the victory.
- Nine boards for Antonio McDyess, who finished with eight points in 25 minutes.
- 14 points for Tayshaun Prince who played solid down the stretch with Will Bynum.
- NBA.com Highlights of the Game.
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- Great to see Will put up a game like this especially after his recent fourth quarter struggles.
- Great play from Afflalo with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting in 24 minutes. Forget about the big baskets, it’s his defense that always shines when the Pistons need a stop. “It’s been a two-year thing, playing when available,” said Afflalo, who made each of his four shot attempts and three 3-pointers. “Mentally, trying to stay tough and smart with the whole situation to where I’m in a situation where the minutes are more stable.” Via Mlive
- You can thank Maxiell for his lock down defense in the fourth quarter, leaving the Bobcats scoreless on six straight possessions in the fourth quarter.
- Detroit won the board war 41-38 and shot 49.4% on the night to Charlotte’s 40.7%.
- The Pistons’ next one, a road game against the Knicks Wednesday night.
