The Pistons once again let a fourth quarter lead slip away that led to a too-easy Calderon layup that sent the game into overtime. Detroit pulled away with a 9-0 run to begin OT, but Marion’s free throw pulled Toronto within 97-94 with 52 seconds left. Rodney Stuckey turned the ball over on the other end, but with Antonio McDyess on the bench after fouling out…Jason Maxiell saved the day.

Final Score -- Pistons 99-95 OT

Key Points:

• Turnovers! A miserable 18 for Detroit on the night.
• When Sheed is out, plenty of paint points are given up. Toronto scored 48 down low.
• How about Arron Afflalo who twice hit HUGE (3 point) shots to help the Pistons in this one. After a Pistons timeout, Hamilton found Arron Afflalo for a three pointer from the corner, giving Detroit an 88-84 lead.  From virtually no playing time, to solid go-to guy.
• I just like saying Pops Mensah-Bonsu.  In fact I think I may just start using it as a part of my everyday vocabulary.  Now I just have to think of the meaning to give to it.
• Detroit shot 49% on the night to Toronto’s 40%.
• Detroit caught a break when recently hot Raptors center Andrea Bargnani left in the first quarter with flu-like symptoms and did not return.
• Did Rip and Rodney just switch positions? Another career night for Rip Hamilton with 16 assists.

Photo/Getty Images

• “I just told myself to keep trying to make plays, not just for yourself but for your teammates, and I thought guys did an excellent job of knocking down shots,” Hamilton said. Via The Detroit Free Press
• Rip did lead the Pistons with 24 but he had an awful shooting night going just 8-for-26. He did have another career assist night, but 6 turnovers and 8 against the Knicks, that has to stop.
• Hoops Addict was in the locker room post game with Detroit. Though Ryan touched on something we have been talking about for what seems forever, he did mention to me that he caught Mr. Blaha in the bathroom making sure his locks look perfect on the air.
• Rip did start to get hot in OT and jump started the team to a 9-0 run.
• Another DD for Antionio McDyess who quite frankly is the MVP of the season for Detroit.  Dyess put up 16 with 13 boards and was probably robbed on the Tayshaun putback that may have won the game for Detroit.  Looked close but off the cylinder it was if you ask me.

Photo/Getty Images

• NBA TV Highlights of the Game.
• Do you realize Rip has been putting up career numbers since he was put back in the starting lineup? 30 assists in two games….move over Isiah.
• Jason Maxiell 16 points on 8-for-9 shooting, while saving the game with the block and the jam in OT.  I questioned him starting, but he did more than fine. He added 6 boards, a steal and 2 blocks on the night. A +14 for the game for the Baby Eater!
• “I thought Max’s energy was off the charts,” Curry said. “I thought our guys didn’t have their legs tonight (second straight overtime game), but Max and Arron Afflalo really gave us a lift.” Via The Detroit News
• Stuckey scored 17 in 40 minutes with 4 assists, 5 boards and 3 turnovers.  I know he’s learning, but is it just me or do the turnovers he does pick up come at the worst times?
• Tayshaun Prince, 11 points on 5-14 shooting with 8 boards, 4 assists, a blocked shot and a takeaway.
• Antonio McDyess has played 89 minutes the last two games.
• We are mourning the passing of a great man so I did my best to show that we miss him here at N4S with the ribbon at the top of the page. He was a class act and a Champion of a man that left one heck of a mark on the World.   Mr. Davidson will be missed.
• A very fitting and touching comment that holds true for me from Benjo in the comments “One of my only wishes in my lifetime is to be able to make the world a better place than it would have been without me. I know you don’t like accolades but YOU ARE MY HERO, Mr. D. Rest in Peace and God bless you and your family.” Indeed, he did leave the world a better place.

UPDATE “All details are not known, but it’s safe to say that Bill Davidson’s wife, Karen, will succeed him as owner of the Pistons, according to Palace Sports and Entertainment president Tom Wilson” Via The Detroit Free Press

The Pistons are in Toronto tonight to take on the 23-42 Raptors.  If Detroit pull out a win tonight it will be the first season sweep of Toronto in 11 years.  The sweep aside a win could help the Detroit, who are current sixth in the Eastern Conference,  but only a half game ahead of Philadelphia.

This is the surely a time when Detroit has to buckle down for a more desirable spot come April.

Rasheed is doubtful for tonight’s game and the Pistons will know more about the status of Allen Iverson in a week or so.

“I’m in no rush,” Wallace said a few minutes ago prior to Detroit’s morning shootaround. “I’m taking it day to day.” Via MLive

With the game Dyess played on Wednesday….he deserves more than this tribute mix, but that’s all I have for you right now.

The Good/Bad and More

• Toronto has lost six straight, a slide during which Chris Bosh has averaged 25.5.
• Toronto has the East’s second-worst record.
• The Pistons close the season with a favorable schedule.
• Maxiell with start again for Rasheed.
• The Bench brings the energy.
• Juiced Sports Blog talks to Bill Laimbeer.
• Doug Collins on his deep admiration for Daddy Rich.
• You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone -- Blaha on Sheed

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN. If you can’t watch it you can listen in locally on 1130 AM WDFN, or follow the game with a live feed on NBA.com.

Keep and eye and ear out for the abundance of Pistons fans in the crowd in Toronto. The comments are yours…

The Pistons rolled through the Raptors Tuesday night at The Palace to end Toronto’s three game winning streak. Detroit was in control most of the game with the exception being a horrible ending to the second quarter that left the Pistons with just a one point lead at halftime.

That slight setback didn’t seem to bother The Pistons as they came out of the locker room, put their noses to the hardwood and went on a 9-0 run to start off the third quarter. That set the team in motion and it was all they needed to get their momentum back and coast to the finish line. Final Score 103-89.

Key Points:

• Surprisingly Rip and Chauncey were the only Pistons in double figures. They combined for 59 points.
• Boy did Delfino really put a scare into the Pistons in the second quarter. He was the reason The Raptors were down by just one at the half. Carlos went 3-for-3 from downtown and finished with 14 points. The Palace held a grudge against the former Piston, booing him at every make.
• 29 assists for The Pistons on the night.
• Flip had a short rotation, but because of the fourth quarter lead everyone played.
• The Prince of the Palace – Sweet up fake on Bosh for a dunk! Tayshaun finished with 6 points, 5 assists, 2 boards, a steal and a assist.
• Stuckey likes to drive the lane and it’s a nice thing to see on a Pistons team that really hasn’t had a player like that in a while. He finished with 8 points and 5 assists. I liked the fact that Flip had him on the floor with Mr. Billups.
• I believe Rasheed gets his strength from his facial hair.
• RIP A Dee Doo Dah

• Rip was on FIRE, he led the Pistons with a whopping 39 points going 5-for-6 from behind the long line. Rip also added 6 assists and 4 boards in 38 minutes on the floor.
• Jarvis Hayes is still struggling with his shot. He scored just 2 points on 1-for-5 shooting.
• Bargnani (could he be a bust) had a great game against the Pistons last time out, he was non existent on Tuesday. In fact he played just 16 minutes for the Raps.
• I watched a bit of the broadcast when I got home and heard Sheed talking to no one in particular “You know Carlos can’t defend Chauncey”… “Post up on his skinny @%&.” Classic.
• McDyess was a point away from a double-double. Diggity had 9 points, 13 boards 2 blocked shots and 7 steals…. Now that is Ridiculous, I can’t remember a game when anyone had 7 takeaways. Antonio was a +23 in the box. You know my love for all things Dyess, even when he’s slumping.
• BA BA BA Billups put up 20 on 5-for-9 shooting. His off balance drive to the lane circus shot that fell with an and one had me screaming “Count that Baby and a Foul!”.

• Nat Chua, Team Need4Sheed member, made sure to send me a screen shot of Kelser’s Keys… Does anything look familiar? Just a quick note about Nat, he uploaded a few pictures to FanPicTastic.com and I have to tell you THIS is the best T-Shirt I have ever seen. Thanks Nat!
• Biggest Piston lead, 18 points.
• I think the people around me thought I was a lunatic.
• 5 Raptors in double digits.
• Rebound war lost 38-42.
• NBA.Com Highlights of the game.
• Jason Kapono must have a Spray Tan franchise.
• Rip A De YAY!

• Rip had everything going for him. He even tried to connect with Sheed on a alley oop. It would have been a awesome if Sheed could have gotten it down, I love the one handers. Whenever Rip is coming off screens, good things happen. No turnovers on the night.
• “That’s my real estate in that corner; like Monopoly,” Hamilton said. “I got four houses and a hotel on there, you know what I’m saying? That’s what I do.” Via MLive Rip talking about his favorite spot in the corner along the baseline.
• Please don’t forget that Need4Sheed.com is giving away Pistons Tickets.
• 50% from the floor from the Pistons.
• 28 points in the paint for the Pistons, 36 for the Raptors.
• Maxiell seems to be having a hard time getting his dunks to go down lately. Sheed and Chauncey were cracking up on the bench after one of his misses. Jason finished with 8 points, 9 boards and 2 assists in 28 minutes on the floor. And he was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.
• Great job limiting Bosh
• We needed this one.
• Nothing is better than having Sheed throw down a nice one and touch the backboard after the jam.

• Good times, good times.