The Pistons win Tuesday night at home secured them home court advantage if they get to The NBA Finals this season. Despite a 30 point game from The Timberwolves Al Jefferson, The Crew once again closed out the game in the fourth quarter. The 115-103 victory gives Detroit a 34-7 record at home record, making The Palace a tough place for any team to play.

Key Points:

• Jarvis Hayes led the Pistons off the bench with 20 points and had a couple of 3’s that let all the air out of Minnesota’s hopes. Jarvis went 7-for-12 in 24 minutes with 5 boards and 3 assists.
• Antonio McDyess threw this one down with so much authority it was as if he stepped out of a time machine.
• No starter played more than 28 minutes, except Rip, who logged almost 38.
• The boys started the game off a little slow, but came out blazing in the second half and handed The Zoo Crew a nice cushion to close out the game.
• 50% shooting from the floor and from behind the long line for Detroit.
• Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups combined for 35 points. Rip scored 18 on 8-for-17 shooting while Chauncey scored 17 and added 6 assists. The All Star back court looks ready for their run.

• The bench had a 15 point lead early in the fourth before letting The Timberwolves go on a run to get it down to 5.
• Sorry Jason and Amir, this Rashad McCants dunk was sick.
• 55 Piston bench points.
• The Rebound war won 39-35.
• “Everyone makes good plays on that team, even their bench,” Jefferson said. “That’s why they are one of my favorites for the playoffs. When they won it in 2004 they had a good bench, and now they’ve got young guys who can play and make shots.” Via Yahoo.com
• A lot of easy buckets on both ends of the floor.
• Good things happen when the Pistons have 24 assists.
• Six points for Amir in 11 minutes on 2-for-2 shooting with a blocked shot.
• Maxiell put up 9 points with 6 boards and 2 assists on the night, but nothing brings the house down like a rim rocking jam. It’s just frightening.

• No game could be more meaningless than Wednesday’s season finale in Cleveland, but you can bet the Cavs fans will be as obnoxious as ever.
• The Pistons have gone 6-2 playing their starters less than 30 minutes a night.
• “We decided on April 1 that we were going to start rotating in the young guys, and we’d take whatever happened,” Saunders said. “Luckily for us, the kids have done a great job, and we went something like 10-2.” Via Yahoo.com I know Saunders said it, but the credit for the young guys playing goes to Joe D.
• The Rattler sure can stuff a shot, he had 2 demoralizing blocks in 9 minutes on the floor.
• Too many Highlights to mention, but you must take note of the Richard Hamilton Dunk.
• Rasheed Wallace had the last laugh with a season high five blocks in 24 minutes and as usual he was vocal all game.

• Rodney Stuckey, who scored 9, is really distributing the ball much better.
• Lindsey Hunter looks like he’s been playing all season. What a luxury it is to have him on our team. Nine points in 9 minutes is one hell of a spark off the bench, not to mention what he gives on the defensive end.
• NBA.com Highlights of the Game.
• Tayshaun and Dyess each scored 10.
• “Conventional wisdom suggests that the starters will see more minutes in the playoffs, but Saunders admitted that he has no problem giving anyone on the roster aside from rookie Cheikh Samb significant minutes in the postseason.” Via Matt Watson Hoopsworld
• Looks like Juan Dixon may be the odd man out during the playoffs. I could be wrong but it looks like Saunders may be leaning toward Afflalo. However if they need scoring out of the position and Hunter isn’t getting it down expect Dixon.
• Still no word on what time the first playoff game will start on Sunday.

If your headed out to the last regular season game at The Palace, your in for a treat. As always, the Pistons will reward the you on Fan Appreciation Night. Tonights opponent is The Minnesota Timberwolves team that The Pistons barely beat a few games back. You can thank Rodney Stuckey and the rest of the Crew for that comeback W.

It’s been about rest lately, but with a win tonight Detroit could lock up home court if they reach The Finals. Chauncey Billups did not practice with the team today so his status is up in the air. “He’s a little bit sore, so we didn’t let him go today.” Saunders said

Tip off is at 7:30 PM and will be broadcast locally on FSN 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.

For some reason or another I have missed Fan Appreciation Night for the past three seasons, so for those of you going to the game tonight, have a blast.

Detroit’s Zoo Crew did quite a job showing their value in Detroit’s 94-90 comeback win at The Target Center. The Pistons, led by rookie Rodney Stuckey’s career high 27 points, hadn’t held the lead in the game until late in the fourth quarter. The lottery bound Timberwolves bolted out of the gates making almost every shot they threw up, but Detroit started to feel comfortable on the floor and began to mount a comeback late in the second quarter after being down 21.

Key Points:

• The Pistons rested Chauncey, Rip and Sheed which gave Hayes, Stuckey and Ratliff a chance to start the game.
• The game looked like it was going to end in a Timberwolves blowout after the youngsters dug themselves a deep hole in the fist quarter. Detroit trailed by 21 points in the second until they went on a 14-0 run to finish off the half at 44-49.
• Tayshaun Prince was the veteran on the floor, helping the youngsters gain composure and do what they needed to do to pull out the win. Prince scored 15 points, with 6 assists, 5 boards, a steal and a block. It was nice to see Tay calm The Crew when the game was on the line.
• Cheikh Samb sighting, mask and all (gotta get a screen capture). In his 5 minutes on the floor he went 2-for-2 with 3 boards and 4 points. We already have Team Need4Sheed ready to start a “Play Samb” campaign.
• Stuckey’s shining moment came when he hit this jumper with 45 seconds left in the game to give Detroit a 90-88 lead. Rodney was the star of the night putting up a career high 27 and making good decisions on the floor. He added 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot and made 12 of his 13 free throws.

• Even when Sheed’s not playing you can hear him barking suggestions to his teammates on court.
• “It gives Coach confidence in us, and it also gives our vets confidence in us, which they already had in us,” Stuckey said. “It just shows them that, hey, we can come on the court, play hard and play together as a team and do what we’ve got to do.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• This game was just fun to watch. I hope not many of you turned it off when the blowout was looming.
• Juan Dixon went 4-for-9 finishing with 8 points and 2 assists. The guy is quick.
• Kevin Vandevelde had a very fitting sign to support The Zoo Crew last night in Minnesota. He took this picture to show his family proudly representing The Pistons and Team Need4Sheed.
• Stuckey’s impressive on and off the court, you can tell from his post game interview including some incredible highlights. I was impressed with the fact that he played with 5 fouls late in the game and stayed on the floor till the buzzer sounded.

• Jarvis Hayes started, but played just 10 minutes going 1-for-5 with four points.
• I’m a contributor for MISports Magazine, it’s new and has everything you need to know about all things sports related in the state of Michigan.
• Al Jefferson has really flourished since leaving Boston. He led the Wolves with 26.
• How excited was the bench after Rodney scored that hoop to put the Pistons up in the fourth.
• Rebound war won 45-44.
• Chauncey for MVP? Interesting numbers.
• Maxiell didn’t have his best game offensively, but still impresses us with his hustle, defense and determination every night. Maxie finished with 5 points on 2-for-7 shooting with 6 boards, 2 blocked shots and a steal. Mr. Blaha says he’s going to bring that basket down one of these days and I agree wholeheartedly.

• NBA.com Highlights of the Game and GMac’s Highlights of The Game.
• Afflalo faired well going 2-for-8 for 7 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 33 minutes.
• “Pistons vice president of basketball John Hammond is no longer a candidate for the general manager job in Milwaukee. Reports out of Milwaukee that the Pistons would not allow the Bucks to interview Hammond were inaccurate. It was partly Hammond’s decision to decline a formal interview.” Via Chris McCosky The Detroit News
• Vote Sheed, he’s up against some pretty tough competition. He’s down big right now!
• Another chance for The Crew to show their stuff Friday against New Jersey.
• What impressed you most about last night? For me, it had to be Mr. Stuckey.