To say The Detroit Pistons ran out of the starting gate Thursday night in Philadelphia may be an understatement. Rip Hamilton led the charge by hitting his first five shots on Detroit’s way to a crushing series ending 100-77 victory against The Sixers. Next up, a waiting Orlando Magic team who comes into Detroit Saturday well rested and ready to play.

If you really needed to sum up the series in one word it would have to be TAYRIFFIC!

Key Points:

• I know The Sixers gave Detroit a difficult time in this series, but after the third quarter in game four when the Pistons finally turned it on, they were no match. This game was just total domination from start to finish and we all loved it.
• Give it up to the Sixers for putting on the pressure defensively almost the entire game even when it was clear they were beat.
• The starters handed over almost a 30 point lead in the fourth quarter to The Crew to finish it out.
• TNT Pistons-Sixers Halftime Video.
• Rip was fantastic out of the gate scoring Detroit’s first 7 points on his way to 13 first quarter points. Rip himself outscored the whole Sixers team in the first quarter. Mr. Hamilton led the Pistons with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting with 5 assists, a steal and 2 boards. Good numbers when you consider he was lounging on the bench in the fourth.

• Richard Hamilton post game interview packed with his highlights.
• By the way Detroit played the last three games (well, two games and 2 quarters) of this series you would have never imagined this going six.
• Detroit a ridiculous 58% shooting night.
• Quiet night for Rasheed who was 3-for-8 for 6 points.
• 28 assists for the Pistons and just 12 for the Sixers.
• Jarvis Hayes has lost his minutes and he’s down in the dumps.
• You can almost always count on a Maxiell highlight. Maxie was 3-for-3 for 9 points, 4 boards and a blocked shot.

• Pistons Highlights from myTV20 broken down by quarter.
• The Pistons, Wings and Tigers…..I can barely keep my eyes open this morning. Detroit’s Sports at it’s finest.
• I, along with many of us, have been hard on Flip, but he made adjustments that worked this series. You can’t put the blame on Detroit’s play in game 1 and 3 on Mr. Saunders.
• ESPN ’s Daily Dime

• Can we confirm that Mr. Big shot is back? I think his buzzer beater at the half to squash any momentum that the Sixers were gaining sure qualifies. Billups put up 20 on 8-for-11 shooting with 7 assists. His 2 shots that he missed were 3’s, pretty impressive when you make three on the night anyway. Good to have you back Smooth.

• Detroit led by as much as 32 points.
• Amirzing 11 minutes for Johnson. Amir went 5-for-5 for 10 points and 6 boards.
• Flip had mentioned in his post game presser that this series with the Sixers better prepared Detroit for the next round. He’s probably right but it really was a nail-biter at times. I’m glad it’s over.
• Orlando is all grown up and ready for Detroit. “Last year was last year and this is this year,” Howard said. “That was a long time ago. We’re not concerned about what happened last year. Our concern is coming back this year playing harder and better. We’re a lot more mature now.” Via The Detroit News
• Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 16 points and picked up a technical foul while doing it. If he’s Philly’s franchise player they are in a world of trouble. To me, he’s all highlights and no game.
• Tayriffic all around series for Tayshuan Prince who shot 66% for the series and was the glue that kept this team in the series. You wanted him to step up and he certainly did. Tay had another killer night shooting 5-for-6 for 12 points, adding 7 boards and 4 assists.

• Who Made You – Tayshaun Prince (video)
• Board war won 39-34.
• Stuckey scored 7 but he’s still a little wild for me. Take your time Stuck, your not going to make a good number of those drives to the paint when your out of control.
• Fourteen minutes for Dyess with 4 points, I almost shed a tear when he got knocked in the face. You could just tell the man was in agony.
• Some of my favorite bloggers were on Detroit Public Radio. I suggest you take a listen.
• I got a kick out of Sheed and his misplaced headband.

• Sheed does the little things.
• Orlando Saturday 7:30 at The Palace….I can’t wait.
• If this isn’t a Delusional Magic fan I don’t know what is. Yes they are good, but Detroit won’t win because they aren’t superstar driven and their window is closed….seriously?
• Cuzoogle makes it official – Superman vs. Motown

Philly had Rocky and Detroit has Rip.

Nothing else needs to be said.

Here’s to Detroit closing this one out strong tonight.

Tip off is at 8:00 PM in Philly and will be Nationally broadcast on TNT and locally on myTV20 Detroit. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com.

It’s Time!

The Pistons got a little more intimidating after Game 3 against the Sixers. Two masked men on one team at the same time is one thing, but when one of them inspires their teammates to go out and get the job done is another. ]

We all know just how bad Dyess wants to win it all, so after Detroit’s lackluster start to Game 4 against the Sixers, he not only inspired his team by his play, but the quiet McDyess also did it with his words. MYTV20 Detroit ran this story (video) of Dyess and his mask before the Pistons Game 5 victory.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t be pulling for this guy?

The Detroit Pistons came out with fire at home against the Sixers from the tip and didn’t stop scalding them until the final buzzer sounded. Detroit took their first lead of the series with their resounding 98-81 victory in Game Five. The Pistons are now just one win away from moving on the the next round, but it won’t be easy against a gritty Sixers team who has surprised everyone but themselves.

Key Points:

• There was a moment of silence before the game for basketball legend Will Robinson. Detroit will wear a black patch on their uniforms for the remainder of the season in his memory. He will be missed.
• You could actually see from their faces before the game started that the Pistons came to work.
• Jason Maxiell again started in place of the broken beaked Antonio McDyess. The Palace crowd gave him a huge thank you during the pre-game intros.
• Detroit shot a gaudy 58.1% for the game.
• New and improved Sheed dance? You be the judge.
• In case you were wondering, The Palace crowd was just as hot as the Pistons were.
• Sheed was hitting early and often but it was his 6 blocks on the night that lit up the gym. RA scored 19 points, grabbed 6 boards and had a steal and 3 assists. The Sixers are going to have to play a lot bigger to stop Sheed.

• Best assist I have seen in a while was this outlet pass from Sheed, who saw a streaking Tay bolt down the floor after a Sixers hoop. I don’t know how it looked on television, but I could see the whole thing unfold before it happened. I was on my feet before Tay even put the ball in the hoop.
• Arron Afflalo got 18 meaningful minutes and did a heck of a job during every single one of them. He played great defense and hit the open jumpers every time he had the chance. He finished with 3 steals and 4 points. Solid night from the rookie who surprisingly took the place of Jarvis Hayes off the bench. Whether it lasts remains to be seen.
• Rodney Stuckey seemed a bit more comfortable on the floor for the first time this post season. Stuck played 14 minutes and scored 6 points on 3 for 5 shooting with 4 assists and 3 boards.
• Credit Flip Saunders who pulled Stuckey when in less than 30 seconds he turned the ball over and then committed a quick foul. In came Billups in a hurry.
• Mr. Big Shot is back, he truly lived up to his nickname for the first time this series. Chauncey led the Pistons with a double-double, putting up 21 points, with 12 assists and 2 boards. I appreciated the fact that Tayshaun Price played a bit at the point position so Chauncey could stay hot with his shot.

• I arrived to the game a litter earlier than usual so I was in my seat when Samuel Dalembert stepped out for warm ups with his new Mohawk. A few minutes after the Sixers took the court out came The Pistons. When Sheed got a look at Dalembert he gathered up a few (I think Billups, Hunter not sure of the rest) pointed to Sam and started cracking up and didn’t stop for quite some time. I know I thought it was amusing, but Sheed took it to another level. Apparently he made mention of Dalembert’s new hair to The Sixers coach Mo Cheeks.

Photo/Getty Images

• Philadelphia’s Samuel Dalembert said Green’s barber in Detroit gave him the mohawk he was sporting, complete with “LJ” and “SD” shaved into both sides of his head. “The SD is for strong defense,” he said. “The LJ is for a loved one.” Reggie Evans seemed to pity his teammate. “Willie, that’s your fault,” Evans said. “He’s going to be on the bloopers.” Wallace agreed. “I told Mo that should’ve been a team fine to come here like that,” Wallace said.” Via Yahoo.com
• Louis Williams had another great night for the Sixers with 16 points. I’m glad to see him doing well. I remember following him a little when he was in high school with all the hype surrounding him and thought he may have done better had he went to college instead of heading to the NBA. It didn’t help that he played behind AI for so long, not getting much time on court. Good for him, he’s been big.
• Andre Iguodala finally found his offensive game leading the Sixers with 21 points. He was on, but the rest of his team was way off. Did anyone notice the his stare down of the crowd after his dunk in the fourth quarter? Yeah it was nice Andre, but you only do that when you aren’t getting blown out, it’s not like you’ve done anything this whole series anyways….you just looked silly.
• I got a pre-game kiss (on the cheek of course) from George Blaha.
• Again with the hecklers and Mo Cheeks. “I’ll be back,” Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks said to hecklers as the final seconds ticked off the clock. “I know you don’t believe me.” Via Yahoo.com
• Thank goodness Detroit’s 50% from the line didn’t hurt them in this one.
• Maxiell had the crowd standing on their feet for many occasions. Maxie finished the game with a career playoff high 11 boards with 6 points and 3 demeaning blocked shots. Doesn’t Jason Smith know better by now? Maxie has stuffed him hard on at least 4 times now.

• So nice Maxiell we have to see the dunk again.
• Can we play like this for the remainder of the Playoffs please?
• Still have to work on the turnovers. Detroit had 17 but thankfully they forced the Sixers into 18 of their own.
• Very enjoyable game all around, especially after what game one and three did to Pistons fans.
• The Pistons led by as much as 26 points, the Sixers biggest lead was 2.
• 44 points in the paint for Detroit to the Sixers 34.
• All I have to say is that this had been Tayshaun’s series and the Palace crowd made sure they let him know how much they appreciated him. Tay was more than solid again with 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting with 4 boards, 2 assists and a steal.

• NBA.com Highlights from the game.
• The Pistons made 11 of their first 13 shots.
• Rip Hamilton put up 20 points with 5 boards, 2 assists and a steal in 33 minutes.
• Rip spent some of his time on the floor with Dyess, Afflalo, Stuckey, and Maxiell.
• “It was definitely business to handle, but we still had fun out there,” Wallace said. “We still do our little side jokes or whatever. We’ve been in situations like this before. It’s not a lot of pressure. Our booty holes aren’t tight.” Via MLive
• 34 boards for each side.
• “The series is not over until someone gets four wins. They’ll zap our spirit when they get four wins. They haven’t zapped it yet,” Cheeks said. Via ESPN
• Detroit hopes to finish this off on Thursday in Philly to play a waiting Orlando.

The Pistons will try finally take the lead in the series tonight at the Palace. Here are a few things of interest before tip.

• Dyess was fed up after the first half in game 4.
• McDyess may still come off the bench.
• Big Shot no more? ESPN’s John Hollinger thinks so.
• I said it earlier, I have lost a little respect for C-Webb.
• Prince had been “The Man” this series, he may get the chance to keep doing it.
• KG gives props to Sheed. Link Via Detroit Bad Boys
• What Sixers fans are thinking: Depressed Fan – Recliner GM and Sixers 4 Guidos.
• Game 5 – important for Billups.
• Philly.com seams confident in their Sixers going into tonight’s game.

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be Nationally broadcast on NBATV and locally on myTV20 Detroit. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com.

We all know how important this game is and I have no doubts that Detroit is going to get things done tonight. I will be at the Palace tonight being as loud as humanly possible and if you are going to be there too, I expect the same.

I will leave you with a great comment from Team Need4Sheed member Amer-ican Prince from the comment section….
“Come on Pistons let’s be sailing on a Ship and not fishing on a boat”

A tale of two teams and I don’t mean the Sixers and Pistons. That’s what it all boils down to in Detroit’s 93-84 win to even up their series with the Sixers 2-2. The Sixers came out strong controlling the tempo and having their way with Detroit. It looked like a mirror image of game three and Detroit looked like they were on their way to going down 3-1 in the series to the seventh seed Sixers. However, things changed after halftime.

Detroit, down 10 at the half, came out of the locker room a whole different team. The Pistons poured in the first 11 points of the half to take the lead and get back on track. From then on it was a whole new ball game, literally. Wallace and Billups were hitting threes, Rip Hamilton was knocking shots down and Tayshaun Prince hit 11 of his 12 shots on the night. The Pistons third quarter surge when they outscored the Sixers 34-16 took away any sort flow in the game that Philly had established.

Key Points:

• That Pistons team we don’t really care for started the game and the real Pistons stepped on court at the half to finish the game.
• The Sixers led by as much as 14 in the first half.
• Rip, who was ice cold in the first half came out hot in the second. He went on a tear in the fourth when he scored 10 consecutive Pistons points. At the end of the night he had put up 18 points and 5 boards, adding 7 assists and a takeaway.
• Chauncey also was ice cold before the half but turned it around after his team headed out of the lockeroom. Billups controlled the tempo and along with it his team. Billups finished with 18 points on 4-16 shooting with 6 boards and 7 assists in 40 minutes.
• Antonio McDyess came off the bench to give life to the team in the fist half. You know the old cliche “Do it for Dyess,” well Dyess did it for them. As soon as he stepped on court Diggity had the fire, he scored 10 and grabbed 4 board in his 20 minutes for Detroit.

• “Dice was awesome tonight,” Chauncey Billups said. “He was less than 24 hours out of surgery with that broken nose and he willed us. He was getting every rebound, blocking shots, taking charges. He just wanted it and he was a lot more vocal today than he usually is.” Via The Daily Tribune
• 10 turnovers in the first half. Just 4 more to finish out the game.
• Detroit controlled the tempo and controlled the Sixers offensive game by clamping down on defense. There’s no shame in helping your teammate lock their man down.
• Half Court Basketballlll.
• When Detroit came out and grabbed the lead for the first time after the half and the fact that they did it so quickly made me realize that “our” Pistons were back.
• Just 10 bench points for Detroit, all of them coming from McDyess.
• Don’t know about you, but this one had me searching for the Tums.
• Is it just me or does C-Webb seem a little bitter towards his old team? If you caught his remarks after the Dallas-Hornets game you will know what I mean.
• When Rip to Tay happens…..it’s amazing.

• “Everybody knows that we are good under pressure,” said guard Chauncey Billups said. “I hate that we put ourselves in this position a lot of times.” “I believe in the guys who are in our locker room,’Via NBA.com
• Maxiell 3 blocks, 4 points, 5 boards, an assist and a steal in 30 minutes. Every one of those minutes Maxie was going at 110%.
• So what if I was worried, that’s just how I am. When Sheed hit the threes and the Pistons took the lead for the lead for the first time I screamed so loud I scared the puppy.
• The starters took care of this one getting the bulk of the minutes.
• Tayshaun has been by far the best Piston player this whole series. Not only did Tay hit 12 of his 13 shots on the night to lead the Pistons with 23 points while doing a hell of a job on Andre Iguodala but he’s 19-for-21 in the last two games. His highlights weren’t shabby either.

• The Fluidics and I both found the way Tay thanked “Blaha” very funny.
  
  

  So if you happen to be out and about and hear someone’s phone ring “Thank You Blaha,” you’ll know it’s me.

• NBA.com Highlights of The Game.
• “Pistons team president Joe Dumars lamented all last summer over how sick he was of losing to teams that might have been less talented but were much hungrier, but no matter which buttons Saunders tried to push, hunger was exactly what was lacking from the Pistons for a majority of this series. But hunger – all different kinds of hunger -what was fueled McDyess’ first-half play after he was replaced in the starting lineup by Jason Maxiell.” Via Chris Sheridan ESPN.com
• Another double-double for Samuel Dalembert with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
• Board war even at 39.
• 34 to 16 third quarter did the trick for Detroit.
• “I told them, ‘Guys, we’re playing tight, we’re afraid to take a shot, afraid to make a move and when you play like that is when you make mistakes. Just relax, we are a good basketball team. Just go out there, hit somebody and have some fun.” Via The Detroit News
• So that’s what happened in the locker room at the half…I bet some other words were said too.
• Sheedtastic anyone? I guess the technical foul Rasheed was called for before halftime really set thing rolling. It was Sheed’s threes (four of them) that really helped bury the Sixers early in the third. A double-double on the night for RA with 20 points and 10 boards with 3 assists and a steal.

• “Wallace cracked up when the 76ers showed a “separated at birth” timeout video comparing an open mouth shot of him next to Jimmie Walker’s “JJ” character from “Good Times.” Via NBA.com
• I know I’m not the only one who thought Detroit looked a little scared in the first half.
• You don’t need to go to an Ivy League school to know that Flip’s job is on the line.
• The Pistons bench was more than animated the whole second half, in fact I don’t remember them sitting.
• “I know what’s going to be written tomorrow — the Pistons flipped the switch,” he said. “But I don’t think we did that. What happened was, we just relaxed and played. I thought we competed in the first half and we competed (in Game 3) until they made their big run. I think what happened was, we finally got a few things worked out on the court and, finally, we had a little bit of fun.” Via The Detroit News
• Now that’s Deeeetroit Basketballll.
• Post game wrap up from myTV20 showed it all.

I think we all need to stop getting upset and blowing up this team. It was a monumentally bad game, but we have a task at hand and instead of sitting back and criticizing we need to get behind this team. Today we Fight…

No matter the date or series, the goal is the same.

I’m leaving this post as the game thread.

Dyess is back in Philly and will dress for the game, but whether he’s going to play is still a game time decision.

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be Nationally broadcast on TNT and locally on myTV20 Detroit. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com. And remember there are the Pistons Viewing Parties.

Today tomorrow and from here on out WE FIGHT.

From Team Need4Sheed member Dominic in the Comments:

It’s time
Time for Defense
Time for Energy
Time for Tenacity
Time for Readiness
Time for Offense
Time for Ibuprofen (if we lose)
Time for Toughness

D-E-T-R-O-I-T

Hustle Heart Confidence

This is Detroit Basketball

Let’s go to work

The Philadelphia Seventy Sixers played more like the 2nd seed in Friday’s romp of The Detroit Pistons. The Sixers got it done convincingly at home beating the Pistons 95-75 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Key Points:

• Seriously?
• 23 $%^& turnover, this from a team who leads the league in fewest. Most turns for the year for Detroit.
• Does someone have to remind this team that this is the playoffs?
• Antonio McDyess suffered a broken nose before the half while going for a rebound with Iguodala. Dyess didn’t return and his availability for game 4 has not been announced. If I know McDyess he’ll be on court mask and all to try to right the ship.
• I can’t quite remember the exact number but the Pistons shot around 22% in the third quarter.
• I never thought that I could feel worse about a loss in this series after being at The Palace for game one. I was beyond wrong.
• This is not what you want to see in the fourth quarter of Game Three. The game was out of hand by late in the third.

• To me game 2 was a must win, but Chauncey said otherwise. Wonder what he’s got to say today.
• Andre Miller has really taken it to Chauncey. Billups finished with 11 points on 2-11 shooting.
• I have said this before and so have many of you. We are tired of Chauncey basing his game on trying to draw the foul. Work of it…. come on.
• Credit the Sixers, this team came to play and seem to do everything right to take away any sort of comfort zone the Pistons gave.
• We thought Game 1 was a fluke, but after watching Detroit play maybe it’s Game 2 that was one. I hope I’m wrong.
• Too bad this ridiculous Jason Maxeill block will go unappreciated because of the final score.
• Sheed was nowhere to be found. Rasheed scored a whopping 2 points and went 1-for-6 from the floor. Reggie Evans and Dalembert locked him down.

• Though frustrating, I have to agree with most of your comments.
• Bad enough some of you were talking about the Dallas – Warriors series last year, but it made me sick when Kelser mentioned it. Is it that bad?
• I still feel Detroit is going to pull it out, but if they have to do this in the first round to beat the Sixers what’s next?
• NBA.com Highlights of The Game, if you actually want to see them.
• In one second half stretch the Pistons shot 0-for-17 with six turnovers.
• Dalembert was a monster he led The Sixers with a double-double on 8-for-14 shooting with 22 points and 16 rebounds.
• Tay held down Iguodala again, but who really cares.
• Had it not been for Tayshaun and Rip it would have been uglier than it was and it was monumentally grotesque.
• Rip led Detroit with 22 and 6 boards.

• To be quite honest, I didn’t pay much attention to the television after the third quarter. I didn’t turn it off but why abuse myself.
• At this point do we still believe it’s arrogance or can this team just not get it done.
• Tayshaun put up 18 on 8-for-9 shooting, while playing fantastic defense. Tay played pretty well, except for his 5 turnovers. Besides Maxiell’s block, this is all you can really smile about if your a Pistons fan.

• Now when are they going to turn it on?
• Game 4 Sunday at 7.
• From Olivejz28 reminded us (in the comments) of something Kenny Smith said – “Kenny Smith said it a few nights ago, the Pistons “have a superiority complex.” The last time I saw the Pistons play with any meaning, any fire was the ‘05 Finals, but even then they lost it in the last two minutes. I love the Pistons, but reality is starting to sink in. I pray that they go out there and prove me wrong, but I can’t help feeling dejected about what they’ve become.”
• Also, if anyone would like to add something that they heard on the ESPN broadcast for those of us that watched locally, please do. As always Im curious to know what they said, especially after this stinker.

You know the drill…
The series is tied one all with tonight’s game in Philly. You can expect the joint to be rocking with Philadelphia’s Sixers back at home after shocking Detroit in game one.
I’m looking for Detroit to throw some blows early, and keep the Sixers off their game, especially hometown boys Rasheed and Rip.

And remember about the Pistons Viewing Partys.
It’s not the Sixers, but you get the picture. Poor Walter.

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be Nationally broadcast on ESPN2 and locally on myTV20 Detroit. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com. And remember there are the Pistons Viewing Partys.

As always it’s all abut you in the comments.

The Pistons did what we all expected them to do in the opening game of the series with The Sixers, dominate. Detroit jumped out of the gate and never looked back letting the Sixers have just one lead in the game at 2-0. That Sixers lead quickly turned into a 8-0 run by Detroit on their way to a convincing win at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit’s 105-88 victory evened things up with the Sixers. The series heads to Philadelphia on Friday for game three.

The Pistons made a very loud statement that everyone could hear.

Key Points:

• Five Pistons in double figures.
• Rodney Stuckey scored his first 12 playoff points and boy did he get to them quick. As soon as he entered the game he went coast to coast for a sweet and quite acrobatic layup. Then he followed with another.
• Tayshaun Prince shut down Andre Iguodala forcing him into a 1-for-9 shooting night for just 4 points.
• I truly get a kick out of Mason purposely mispronouncing opponents names when announcing them, but none struck me as funny as his IG UUUU DAYLA.
• Sheed looked like a man possessed. When Ra hit his fist shot with ease, then his second and then his third you just knew all things were going to go right for Detroit. Sheed finished with 16 points, 7 boards and 3 blocked shots. He was almost sitting on Rick Mahorn’s Lap when he knocked down his three pointer before the half.
• The Palace Crowd was truly rocking.
• Dyess hit the first shot of the game and just kept hitting. Diggity put up a double-double and had that “look” on his face. McDyess scored 16 with 12 boards but the shot he hit after trailing a play trying to put his shoe back on just epitomized the kind of night he had. He strolled up after the Pistons were in their offense for about 15 seconds and knocked the shot down like it was nothing. This was pretty nice too.

• This was just what I had hoped for…Detroit put the stranglehold on and never lost their grip.
• It’s not like we don’t know McDyess takes things hard, but Chauncey confirmed it. “I don’t get on him too much because he beats himself up too much,” Billups said. “He’s mad when he doesn’t come out and put together a good performance. When he has slip-ups he’s really mad and angry. Me knowing that, I just let him do what he has to do. He came out tonight and played an unbelievable game.” Via MLive
• Detroit’s defense was swarming all over Philly from start to finish. It reminded me of the good old days.
• Detroit shot 59% in the first quarter and 54.9% for the game.
• Chauncey Billups finished with 9 points all of which came in the second half. If fact it was Chauncey who stepped up in the third to bust open the lead and send the starters to the bench.
• “Game 1 was a big wake-up call for us,” Billups said. “We learned from it. We know that team can beat us if we’re not playing the right way.” Via MLive
• Has Flip learned to make adjustments? It sure looked like it.
• Prince, Wallace, Dyess and Billups didn’t step on the floor in the fourth.
• Rip led the Pistons with 20 points along with 7 boards and 7 assists. Rip was the lone starter on the floor with the Crew for most of the third quarter and some of the fourth.

• All Detroit starters shot at least 50% from the floor.
• Great job shutting down Andre Miller who really gave the Pistons a tough time on Sunday. Detroit had bodies around him all night and he still finished with 14.
• NBA.com Highlights of The Game.
• Nice shot clock violation that robbed Detroit of a possession. I didn’t get to see the replay well but from what was said in the comments it was obvious that the clock started before the ball was inbounded.
• As soon as Amir stepped on the court the Palace crowd went wild. How can you not appreciate him? Amir logged 15 minutes putting up 8 points with 4 boards and an assist.
• It’s truly not a Pistons experience without one of Jason Maxiell’s signature blocks.

• Maxiell’s scored just 2 points, but they came with an authority that brought the house down.
• Though the Pistons won by 17, the game wasn’t really even that close. The Crew let the Sixers bench back into it late in the fourth.
• 26 assists for Detroit.
• “After the disappointing loss, like last game, we just wanted to come out and make a statement tonight,” McDyess said. Via MLive
• Walter Herrmann’s suit was…well…shiny.
• Jarvis Hayes 3-for-7 for 6 points. Is it just me or does he look so excite to jack up a shot he barely ever sets himself?
• Huge night for Tay who really set the tone on defense. He was hot when the Pistons needed him, especially in the paint. Tayshaun scored 15 with 4 boards, 3 assists and a steal.

• DNP’s for Lindsey Hunter and Theo Ratliff.
• Depressed Fan thinks the Sixers folded too early.
• Rebound war won 42-34.
• Louis William played well for the Sixers and led the team with 17 points. Most of which came at the stripe.
• “Detroit is clearly superior to Philly, but the Pistons also remain their own worst enemy. And although Saunders said he doesn’t want to see any more letdowns, it has become clear over the years that another one is coming; it’s simply a matter of when — and how — the Pistons will respond after it happens. This time, they responded like the Pistons we’ve come to know — decisively, assertively, forcefully. So it becomes a question of how many more times they’re going to go to that resiliency well, because there’s going to come a time — maybe not this year, but sometime down the road — when that spring is going to run dry. “ Via Chris Sheridan ESPN
• To Philly on Friday.

The Pistons will try to even it up tonight at the Palace to take the series 1-1 to Philly. None of us could have guessed (not even Sixers fans) that Detroit would fall in the first game. Plenty of news worth quotes came out after the loss, but this one popped for me.

“I hope that this doesn’t happen, but if we were down 0-2, I still feel like we’d win the series,” Billups said. “But I don’t want to get there and have to prove you all of that.” Via The Detroit Free Press

I don’t mind what Chauncey said, but he always seem to come across arrogant. I love the guy, but to say the things he’s said in recent years you have to back it up and right now Chauncey hasn’t done that. You could even say that Billups tries a little too hard to be Mr. Big Shot on many occasions when all he needs to be his Chauncey. I would love to have the confidence in Chauncey like I have in the past, but until he proves himself this year in the playoffs I can’t. It’s just how I feel, and trust me I wish I didn’t.

I’m not putting this Chauncey either, but I do find it funny that the only guy that took the blame for Detroit’s loss on Sunday was Sheed, who we all know had a monster game.

I’m expecting to see The Pistons step on some necks tonight like we know they can. And if they don’t….well I don’t quite get worried, just really pissed off.

A little inspiration

Tip off is at 7:30 PM and will be Nationally broadcast on NBATV and locally on myTV20 Detroit. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com.

As always I leave it to you in the comments.

It’s a series Pistons fans. Just when you thought Detroit would roll over The Philly en rout to round two, the Sixers stunned Detroit with a 90-86 win over Detroit to take the series lead 1-0. Despite a huge game from Rasheed Wallace, the Sixers took out Detroit after being down 15 to steal game one in Detroit and take over home court advantage.

Key Points:

• The Pistons shot just 29% in the second half of the game.
• Chauncey and Rip shot just 10-for-30.
• Physical game, credit the refs for being consistent on both ends.
• We know the Pistons have a tendency to need a shot in the arm to wake up. This wake up call came earlier than anticipated. We’ll know if it’s a good thing come Wednesday.
• You know I love Sheed’s comedy stylings, but nothing was funny about him joining the Sixers huddle before the final play of the game. It’s one thing if you’re up and do it to intimidate the other team, but in the playoffs when the game on the line it is not SHEEDtastic.
• Where the hell was Dyess in the second half? I know Maxiell was a monster, but 20 minutes for Dyess all night is questionable. It’s not like he put up a stinker in the first half either. Same goes for Thad Young for the Sixers, he was killing us in the first quarter but I can’t remember even seeing him in the second half.
• Sheed was the player of the game with 24 points, 9 boards and 7 blocked shots, tying a Pistons playoff record. He started the game off strong, got a tech and then caught fire on both ends.

• Tell me why Flip Saunders left the Stuckey and Co. out there in the fourth quarter so late? As I watched Detroit’s lead slip I wondered where Rip and Chauncey were.
• If this is the playoff rotation from here on out can we be happy with it?
• Sixers played a great game, take nothing away from them. I personally think Reggie Evans off the bench was the difference maker. He made clutch free throws down to the wire, grabbed 14 boards and bothered every shot he was near.
• Let me just say that The Palace crowd was loud and proud until the buzzer sounded. I won’t get into what I heard walking out.
• Willie Green loves to play in Detroit.
• “We’re gonna be all right, man,” Billups said after the loss. And you want to believe him. This can’t happen again.” Via The Detroit Free Press. I hope so Chauncey.
• The Pistons missed 12 of their last 15 shots.
• Bad things happen when Rasheed tosses the headband. As soon as I saw him out there headbandless, I cringed.

• Theo did a heck of a job in his 5 minutes. Rattler had 2 points, 2 boards and 2 ridiculous blocks.
• Detroit didn’t take care of the ball, almost all of their 12 turnovers were head shakers.
• Detroit has to work on their ball movement in Game Two.
• Sheed took responsibility for the loss after the game. “That last bunny that I missed.” Wallace said. “That was a damn-sure bucket I should have made.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• NBA.com Highlights of the Game.
• Rip had a hard time all night, he went 5-for-17 for 13 points and 4 turnovers.
• I wanted to know what Pistons team was going to come out for the playoffs and unfortunately I was disappointed. Philly played hard and they are no pushovers, but to give up a 15 point lead at home is not what a team on a mission does.
• Nothing much from Rodney Stuckey 13 minutes, 0-for-1 with 3 assists.
• Jason Maxiell was fantastic, as always he was everywhere on the floor. The charge he took late in the game to give The Pistons a chance to take the lead was huge. Maxie put up a double – double with 12 points and 11 boards along with a steal, a block and a assist in 29 minutes. This putback brought the house down.

• It’s a little too premature to compare this loss with the demise of Dallas in last years playoffs.
• It’s not fun driving home from a Detroit loss in the playoffs, but I’m not hitting the panic button just yet. Not to diminish anything The Sixers did by winning Game One, but Detroit it capable of winning the next four. It’s just too bad Detroit gave the Sixers some swagger to start the series off.
• I would like Mr. Big Shot back.
• Rebound war lost 45-43.
• The Sixers can run, and they do it well. I would like to see Detroit play their game on Wednesday.
• Vent, go ahead. I have been doing it all morning long.