It didn’t matter however, the Pacers scored the next 8 points and won 102-106.

Key Points:

• I don’t care what you say there is some kind of issue going on with Rip Hamilton.  When I guy like Rip does his best “Kobe” impression by not looking for his shot and scoring ZERO points, something is up.  Rip was 0-for-3 in 18 minutes on the floor with 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 turnovers.  When he was resigned to the bench….he either looked pissed off, or he was sulking.  Let’s keep our eyes on this situation.
• Detroit had 7 turnover in the first quarter, but clamped down and finished the game with 13.
• Limited minutes for Ben Wallace who looked good in his 24 minutes.  Ben scored just one point, grabbed 7 boards, with 3 steals and an assist.  How we did miss the man.
• Ben Gordon scores 17 on 4-13 shooting with 7 boards, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots.  Great game for Ben, but when it counted late in the fourth quarter he couldn’t knock down the shot.
• Sometimes I think Gordon is still getting his check from the Bulls, not the Pistons.
• If this wasn’t a statement from Rodney Stuckey than I don’t know what is.  Rodney was on fire as soon as he checked into the game.  Not only was it good to see him play, he didn’t look apprehensive about anything considering the circumstances.  Stuckey scored 25 in 26 minutes for the Pistons with 3 assists, 3 steals and a turnover playing most all of his minutes at the 2 guard position.   Stucktacular!

Photo/Getty Images

I feel all right,” Stuckey said of his 26 minutes. “The plan wasn’t to play all those minutes, but it was just in the heat of the game. I feel fine, and my wind felt fine. Via The Detroit Free Press

• Detroit shot a shocking 50% from behind the long line.  Only bad thing about that was Indiana shot 53%.
• Jerebko with 10 points, 6 boards and 3 steals.  You can count on him each game with numbers like that or better.
• Best thing I can say about Charlie Villanueva is that he’s been a disappointment this season.
• Nine points for Will, with 4 assist in 21 minutes.
• What a miserable 3 quarters for Detroit, I was almost happy FSN didn’t broadcast this game in HD.  Who wants to see all that blood?
• We just bettered ourselves in the Lottery standings!  The Pistons are tied with the Pacers for the fifth-worst record in the league.
• Give DaJuan Summers some minutes!  Summers scores 12 points in 17 minutes on 4-7 shooting with 4 boards and a blocked shot.  Just check out his highlights.

Video Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and the NBA

• Cavs again Sunday.

The 22-42 Pistons are at home to take on the 21-41 Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Simply put, this is a battle for lottery position.  The Wizards will attempt to break a five game losing streak to the Pistons and earn their first win at the Palace since Jan. 26, 2007.

Will Bynum will start again in place of Rodney Stuckey and Ben Wallace is till listed as day to day.  Chris Wilcox is also unavailable for Detroit with a bad back.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 8:00 pm EST and will be televised on FS Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 the Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

The 22-41 Pistons are at home to take on the 41-22 Jazz at The Palace of Auburn Hills. If you’re not aware, the Pistons have not beaten the Jazz since March 13th 2005.

Stuckey Update: Doctors have allowed him to exercise.

Rodney Stuckey underwent a completely negative cardiac evaluation under the direction of University of Michigan’s (Fred Morady, M.D.), Cleveland Clinic’s (Thomas Dresing, M.D.) and the Detroit Medical Center’s (Luis Alfonso, M.D.).
The combined opinion is that Rodney may return to a progressive exercise program. Via Pistons.com

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Ben Wallace is still listed as Day to Day.

Tip is at 7:30 pm EST and will be televised on FS Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 the Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com.

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Key Points:

• No Ben Wallace again, but it didn’t stop him from getting a technical foul from the bench.
• Will Bynum started in place of Rodeny Stuckey.  Will with a Bynumite double-double, putting up 12 points, 11 assists, 4 boards, 2 steals and just one turnover on the night. Will was impressive in his start, feeding the ball when he saw someone was hot and knowing just when to take his own.
• Jonas with a near double-double, 16 points, 9 boards, a steal and 3 blocked shots……yes 3.  This kid is reinventing what it means to be a rookie in the D.  It’s like he steps up in every department, right when the Pistons need it.  Need4Swede indeed!

Photo/Getty Images

• Ben Gordon…..I think Joe Dumars wants that money back.  Six points on 1-for-7 shooing in 25 minutes.  This season is a wash for Ben, lets hope he is the old BG next season.
• A little better from Charlie Villanueva, who got very hot at one point in the first half, hitting a shot followed by back to back threes.  CV scored 15 on 6-for-13 shooting in 22 minutes.  We could use a few boards now that Ben is out CV…Jonas and Maxi can’t do it all.
• Aaron Brooks scored 25 and has that blow by gear that makes him so difficult to stop.
• Tayshaun Prince with not only a season high 29 points, it was his two back-to-back dunks that got Detroit right back in it with a little over a minute left in the game. Clearly a TAYrific game from prince.
• Tayshaun  Highlights

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Tayshaun has sure silenced a lot of Pistons fans, including myself, with his play of late.  Good to see him healthy and back to playing the way we know he can.

Photo/Getty Images

• I’m convinced the only way that Jason Maxiell will be who we want him to be is if he gets consistent playing time.  Jason has really stepped up!  He scored 6 with 16 boards, and a steal that was one of the reasons Detroit won this one.  The Baby Eater is back….lets keep it that way please.
• Austin Daye with a quick appearance.  Daye went 2-for-2 for 4 points in just 8 minutes, but got 3 quick fouls and didn’t return.
• Board war won 50 to 43.
• Louis Scola’s hair usually looks mighty stupid with the girly headband, but he sure made Kwame Brown look like a fool with this pretty move.

Via NBA.com

• This one was tied 10 times with 14 league changes.
• 22 for Rip Hamilton, who started the game off in Red (what looked like Jordan’s) shoes and then suddenly had white one one.  Don’t know when it happened, but I ‘m sure glad his show was as hot as his shoes were.
• Highlights of the game via NBA.com

• Still wishing Rodney well.

Key Points:

• Glad to see Arron Afflalo starting for Denver and truly making a difference.  I know we are guard heavy, but we gave him up for next to nothing .  He’s making a difference on both ends of the floor for the Nuggets.  He’s a starter in the NBA…it would be nice if they updated his profile picture in his Denver uniform. NBA webmaster fail.
• A monster game from Jason Maxiell, who put his athleticism and strength on display.  Maxiell went 7-for-9 for 16 points, a blocked shot and 8 boards in 24 minutes.  Denver didn’t know what to do with Maxi.
• On the other side of things… Charlie V 5 points 0n 2-for-6 , 7 boards in 18 minutes.  At least he’s grabbing boards when his shot inst working.
• Do we get alarmed with the way Ben Gordon’s season has turned out or do we blame injury or playing time?
• Some key baskets again from Rodney Stuckey, who scored 19 with 7 boards and six assists.  Was he trying to show Chauncey up?  I would be trying to if I was him, but what his stat line does suggest is that he’s turning into a complete player.

Photo/Getty Images

• Jonas Jerebko can’t get a call to save his life.  When will this kid get some respect from the refs?  The whistle was going against the Swede all night long and his playing time was hampered by fouls.  Just 18 minutes with 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting with and assist and 2 boards.  How great was it to see Jonas shirts and horn in the crowd in Denver.  The Need4Swede is everywhere.
• The Pistons really played a good 48 even though they didn’t come out ahead.  Board war won 50 to 38 and they had 21 assists on the night.
• Little disappointed in Detroit’s free throw shooting lately.
• Chauncey with 25 on the night with 2 assists and 4 turnovers.  The man is still Mr. Big shot no matter where he is.
• I caught Chauncey’s post game interview and noticed something funny sitting in his locker.  A white lunch bag with different colored hearts all over it,  I think his wife Piper must have packed him a post game snack.  My guess PBJ and a Capri Sun.
• Plenty of Blocked shots in this one.  Detroit blocked 5 and Denver 7.
• Chris Wilcox and Kwame Brown not active for this one because of health reasons.
• Highlights of The Game via NBA.com

• Anyone else notice Jason Maxiell’s jump shot has been money lately?
• Rip led the Pistons with 20 on 5-for-17 shooting with 5 assists and 6 boards.  He’s looking better and better ever game.
• Bynum just doesn’t look right lately.
• One points shy of a double-double for Ben Wallace, who scored 9 with 10 boards a steal and 2 blocked shots.  Where would this season be without him?
• So…can we officially say we are going for the ping pong balls now?
• Tonight against the Warriors.

The 21-36 Detroit Pistons are in Denver to face our good friend Chauncey and his 38-19 Nuggets tonight. Though the season has been great for Denver and not so much for Detroit, the one thing the Pistons have going for them is seven straight wins against the Nuggets.

It’s nice to see Chauncey having such great season, no matter where he is.

The Nuggets are without their coach George Karl, who revealed on Feb. 16 that he has neck and throat cancer. Former Piston Adrian Dantley led the team in his absence. My thoughts go out to him and his family during his battle.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 9:00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

The 21-35 Detroit Pistons are in LA to face the 23-33 Clippers (late) tonight. With a win tonight, the Pistons could make it seven straight road victories against the Clippers. The Pistons would like to extend their winning steak, but they haven’t won three straight since Jan. 12-16.

I know one thing I can count on, plenty of Detroit love a The Staples Center.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 10:30 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

Key Points:

• I lost count after about 5, but this was the most dunk filled night ….ever?  (Blaha counted 12)
• So many, that the plays of the night were all the Dunks.

Video Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• This game was dead even at the half at 52.
• Pistons ran out of the gate as soon as they returned from the locker room and never looked back. They were clearly in command even before the third quarter ended. Detroit was up by 20 when the third was over.
• Sharing the basketball was an understatement, and it started off that way.  The Pistons with 37 assists on the night.
• Oh my, Jonas Jerebko kick started the night with point after point for Detroit.  He was one short of tying his career high at 21 on the night.  Why did he miss his career total? The Pistons pulled ahead and he only had to play 20 minutes on the night.  Jonas added 2 steals, 3 boards in one of his best performances of the season.  And that’s saying a lot for the guy who’s been the spark of the season.  Rip to the Swede for the Jam….priceless.

Video Courtesy of The NBA

• Rip Hamilton, sharing the ball like he was a point guard. Rip finished with 12 points. 7 assist and a steal in 28 minutes.
• The Pistons were shooting 57% in the first half and the game was tied.  The defense helped that effort once the second half started.
• Stuckey with 10 points, and 6 assist in 20 minutes.  Nice game for Rodney, who didn’t have to carry the load for once.
• Ben Gordon with 8 points on 4-for-11 shooting…for a shooter, that’s still not good enough yet.
• Ben Wallace simply amazes, he put up 8 points (all I think were dunks), with 8 boards 2 blocked shots and a steal.  I don’t know what he did during the break, but he shook the floor with this dunk like he was drinking Hulk juice.

Video Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• I got my hopes and dreams back for Jason Maxiell and since I have he’s done me right. Jason looks like the guy we know he can be, 10 boards, 6 points and a block that I’m counting that was a bad call in my book. The Baby Eater is back.
• Charlie Villanueva with 11 points, 6 boards, a blocked shot and 2 assists in 23 minutes. I hate to criticize when we blow out a team (which rarely happens these days) but please Charlie do you really need to take 6 threes?
• Tay with 11 points, 3 assists, 5 boards and a blocked shot in 31 minutes.  Prince was a +34 for the game.
• BYNUMITE – Will with a career high 14 assists on the night adding 6 points and a steal. Will still looks like his ankles are bothering him, but he’s still over producing.

Photo/Getty Images

• We were even treated with a nice windmill jam from Chris Wilcox.
• Board war won 38-44.
• Detroit shot 53% on the night.
• A Daye treat,  Austin with 9 points on 4-for-7 shooting in 7 minutes.
• Yes this was the Timberwolves, but the way Detroit came out and played really shows you what they can do if they put some heart and effort in for a full 48.
• Finally a fun game to watch.
• At Orlando Wednesday.

Tayshaun seems to be shaking off the dust and Jason Maxiell heard our cries to step up.  Ben Gordon with 18 off the bench may have gotten his touch back.

I’ll watch the game later tonight, but this is where you come in.  Leave me your bullet points in the comments so I can take out of the game what you saw.

Highlights (Via NBA.com) are great but, I like Pistons fans input.

The 17-32 Detroit Pistons are in Milwaukee to take on the 23-26 Bucks on the first game of a back to back before the All-Star break. Milwaukee has won five of six games to move within percentage points of Miami for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Before we talk about anything, I have to mention the Trade Rumors that are going around. Via MLive

February 8, Arizona Republic: Possibilities with Philadelphia could be stronger with two fronts, a deal between bringing in swingman Andre Iguodala for Stoudemire with perhaps young power forward Marreese Speights or a three-way deal involving Detroit with Pistons guard Ben Gordon winding up in Philadelphia and the Suns getting Iguodala and Detroit power forward Chris Wilcox. The rub with Iguodala, a 26-year-old former Arizona star, is inheriting a contract that will pay him $56.5 million over the next four seasons.

Ben Gordon? Really?  I see just about anyone but Gordon and Stuckey likely to be traded, but that’s just me.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 8:00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to WWJ 950 AM or follow the action over at NBA.com.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT