It’s wasn’t just another Friday night at The Palace. The Pistons hosted the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs and The Make a Wish Foundation. Pistons fans got two wishes granted with a 84-80 win over The Spurs and by surpassing their goal of raising 400,000 dollars for the Make a Wish Foundadtion, thanks to some very generous Pistons fans.

Key Points:

• The Pistons led by 12 early in the fourth quarter, but a 13 -0 run by the Spurs put them in the lead with just three minutes left in the game.
• Sheed and Dyess forced Duncan into shooting 9-for-23 on the night. Duncan finished with 20 points.
• The Palace was buzzing from the tip to the finish. I have been to my share of games this season and I have to say this was the closest to a playoff game all season. First time that I can remember that I didn’t see people leaving early to beat traffic.
• Flip shortened the rotation for the world champs. Playing Maxiell just 5 minutes with a DNP for Afflalo and Johnson.
• Looks like we will be seeing Lindsey Hunter very soon.
• Detroit couldn’t stop Tony Parker form driving the lane for easy 2’s. He led the Spurs with an impressive 26 points on 12-18 shooting.
• Rip led the Pistons with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting, but most impressive was his clutch shot and subsequent free throws that cemented the win for Detroit. Hamilton also added 4 boards and 4 assists in the victory.

• The Spurs were they without Bruce Bowen, due to his suspension. While Ime Udoka sat out with a right ankle sprain.
• Tayshaun was solid, when nobody on court for the Pistons could score, Prince came up big. His 17 points were a key part to this win along with his wide open jumper late in the game. He pulled down 5 boards and has become an expert of late assisting his teammates, he had 6 helpers in the win.
• With the win, The Pistons sweep the season series with The Spurs.
• The Rockets are just plain impressive. The Spurs no longer are tied for the lead in the Southwest Division. The Rockets moved ahead in the standings by winning their 21st straight.
• NBA.com Highlights of The Game.
• Though I was sure Sheed would have a big night he scored 10, but did a wonderful job anchoring the defense for The Pistons. It was his 2 jumpers late in the game that helped lock up the victory.

• 10 Turnovers for the Pistons and 11 for The Spurs.
• Classic Pistons-Spurs battle. Great defense in a game that went down to the wire.
• The Pistons really settled for jumpshots all night. A lot had to do with the Spurs presence in the paint. Detroit scored just 24 in the paint while San Antonia scored 44. Plenty of those points came from Parker.
• The Pistons took Ginobili out of the game. He scored just 9 on the night.
• How frustrating was it to watch The Spurs go on that run to take the lead in the fourth. The crowd got taken out until Rip hit that jumper late in the fourth.
• All hail Antonio McDyess! 17 boards a block and 6 points. Unsung Hero.

• “Half of those rebounds just fell into my hands,” the always self-effacing McDyess said. “I just tried to give good energy. I was very disappointed after the last game (loss to Philadelphia) and I wanted to come out and set the tempo and get this win.” Via The Detroit News. How can you not LOVE Dyess?
• Domination of the boards 51-39.
• I was lucky enough to attend the game with Team Need4Sheed Captain Steve, who is not only insightful, but come to find out he can do instant stats in his head. I have now nicknamed him Insta Stat and will apologize to him formally for being a really shitty photographer and ruining this great photo op.

• A new season high in offensive rebounds for The Pistons. They finished with 22 and scored 17 second chance points.
• You had to like the way the refs called this game. They were consistent on both sides and really let the two teams play this one out.
• When Sheed rolls, so do the Pistons.
• Sheed introduced a new Circle Dance last night and it was fabulous. Unfortunately they didn’t broadcast it, so I can’t show it to you. The best I can do is show you RA’s moves during the game.

• 412,060 Money Raised to help Make A Wish.
• Remember….Hornets-Pistons at 1:00 PM at The Palace on Sunday and will be Nationally televised on ABC.

Big game, playoff atmosphere, clutch finish.

Count That Baby And A Foul

The Pistons host a 44-20 NBA Champion Spurs tonight at The Palace. Look for a big game from Rasheed, who is has been SHEEDtastic in his last four games against the Spurs, averaging 21 points and 9.8 rebounds. He had 23 points and 15 boards in their first meeting this season, a 90-80 Detroit victory.

More important than the game is The Pistons Telethon for The Make A Wish Foundation. It’s a very worthy cause so if it’s just a dollar, a hundred or a thousand help Make A Wish if you are able.

Tip off is at 8:00 and will be locally broadcast on WDIV Detroit and Nationally on NBA TV. 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.

Leave ‘em in the comments.