The 23-44 Pistons are hosting the 52-15 Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the Palace.  One hopes that they will at least put up a fight after last night’s debacle against the Celtics.

If you didn’t look at the front page of NBA.com, you missed this headline and article.
Davidson’s death, rough economy lead to Pistons’ demise
A lot of truth there and pretty fitting after the Pistons performance last night.

Ben Wallace is still listed as day to day.
Rodney has no timetable on his return.
No conformation whether Tayshaun will play or not.

With Jonas Jerebko now starting at power forward, Kuester would have to go in another direction for Prince’s replacement – perhaps Austin Daye, who has a pair of starts already under his belt. Daye totaled 29 points and 11 rebounds in starts on Nov. 27 against the Clippers and Jan. 18 against the Knicks. He scored a career-high 16 points at New York. Via Ryan Pretzer at Pistons.com

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:30 pm EST and will be broadcast on FS Detroit with the radio broadcast over at  97.1 The Ticker or follow the action online over at NBA.com.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

Don’t forget leave Bennie and Jeff your thoughts in the comments. They are waiting to hear what Team Need4Sheed has to say.

Team Need4Sheed Podcast #34- What’s up with the Pistons?

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Detroit led by as many as 12 in the first half and eight at the break.  The second half saw Clipper-newcomer Drew Gooden and Chris Kaman continue to exploit the Pistons’ lack of size upfront as they combined for 41 points and 28 rebounds.  Los Angeles got a huge performance down the stretch from Rasual Butler, who nailed a couple of 3s off of good ball movement (or bad defensive rotation).  He also had a huge block on Rodney Stuckey late in the game.

Key points of the night:

• Being that I live in LA, I decided to take this one in.  You’d be surprised at how many die-hard Clipper fans are here in “Lakerland”.
• For the second straight game, Detroit was outscored by at least double digits in the fourth quarter.
• Rip Hamilton missed six free throws (including 3 straight with seconds to go that would have brought the team within a point) snapping his streak of 51 consecutive makes. Although he nearly completed a four point opportunity on a silly foul again Eric Gordon.

Photo/Getty Images

• Clippers win the season series for the first time since 2000 and only the third time in over 20 years.
• In 26 minutes, Ben Wallace didn’t score but had 10 rebounds.
• Did Ben Gordon suit up tonight?  I’m just saying.
• There were a lot of Detroit fans in the house but, that’s not unusual against the Clippers.
• Another DNP-CD for Kwame Brown, this even during a game where the rebound war was lost 56-44.
• Drew Gooden has put up All-Star numbers against the Pistons this season especially in rebounds.
• If the Pistons had a legitimate low-post threat they’d be a playoff team.
• Before Rasual Butler’s late go-ahead three-pointer, the loudest cheers of the night were for a Michael Jackson look-alike in the crowd.
• Charlie Villaneuva might as well be wearing roller skates on defense. I’m sure no one would notice.
• Highlights of the Game Via NBA.com

• If it wasn’t for the logo on the court, you wouldn’t realize you were at a Clippers game at Staple Center.  There is nothing but Lakers championship banner and L.A. Kings retired jerseys in the rafters.  Even the WNBA team has something up.
• Kid Rock in the house.
• The road trip continues in Denver on Friday night against former Pistons Chauncey Billups and Aaron Affalo.
• I got a text from my Friend in LA who was also at the game that read “The are chanting Stukey’s – Suckey.” For real LA, that’s as original as you can get? (Natalie)

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

The Pistons began the four-game road trip Tuesday with a 101-89 win over the Kings in Sacramento. Rip Hamilton led the team with 30 points and Tayshaun Prince filled the statline with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block. The young Kings were led by future Rookie-of-the-year Tyreke Evans with 28 and 13 assists. Detroit jumped out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter before the Kings came back and closed it to three at quarters end. After relinquishing the lead early in the second, the Pistons stormed back to take back control and never trailed again. The team will head here to Los Angeles to face the Clippers Wednesday night. I may be there…

Key points of the night:

• Thoughts and prayers go out to coach John Kuester following the death of his father over the weekend.
• Detroit led by as many as 30 before the Kings rallied to within a dozen.
• Rodney Stuckey tallied 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists – despite of 4 turnovers.
• Looks like Tayshaun and Rip are healthy enough to have a meaningful impact for the stretch run.

• Pistons shot a sizzling 58.4% for the game.
• This is the Pistons’ first back-to-back wins since earlier this month versus the Nets and Bucks.
• This is also the first time the team has scored 100 points or more in back-to-back games since mid-December versus Denver and Golden State, both wins
• Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace played limited minutes due to foul trouble, while Chris Wilcox saw action… although he couldn’t hit a free throw to save his life.
• Rebound war tied at 34.
• The Swede is a tough kid for real.
• Highlights of the Game via NBA.com

• Another DNP-CD for Kwame Brown.
• Tyreke Evans is going to be a great player in this league.
• Did anyone know that Larry Hughes plays for the Kings?
• For so reason, this is only Detroit’s 3rd win in the last 13 games in Sacramento.

Let’s be honest people, Detroit isn’t the sexy city that can woo free agents.  We need gritty hungry players that will do whatever it takes to win.  The stuporstars aren’t waiting in line to come to the D to play and spend their weekends hanging at the local Coney Island (and that’s not a knock on Lafayette or Leo’s by any means).  A lot of things would have to fall in place for a player like D Wade or Bosh to want to sign with the Pistons.

Aren’t we used to that by now?

Surely you didn’t want Joe to make a trade for the sake of making a trade did you? It’s not like we are in the hunt for the title. I used to think I had a handle on how Joe worked, but after he traded away our rock for the anti Piston, anything could happen.  I will say with some kind of certainty that Joe was probably trying to move both Rip and Tay.  He had to, but he doesn’t have fire sales.

So we wait this season out, hope for some action around the NBA draft, and hope for the best.  The whole organization is in transition, and so are the fans. Hold tight, it’s going to be a bumpy, turbulent filled trip on the Roundball (3), let’s just hope we all make it out one piece.

One last thing, cross your fingers that this never happens again.

Key Points:

• Detroit started off slow, but dug deep, got back in it and were within one at the half 56-55.
• Monster game from Dwight Howard, who is just plain fun to watch.  Howard put up 33 with 17 boards and 7 blocked shots.  He had almost as many Dunks as the Pistons did last night against Minnesota.
• Did Charlie Villanueva get his minutes taken away?  Three minutes and 16 seconds for CV31.
• Ben Gordon was ejected after he got clocked in the face by Redick.  The refs, who were extra bad last night, of course missed it and when Ben challenged the non call he was tossed.  He finished with 6 points in 21 minutes. He is slowly getting his game back.
• Will Bynum with 5 assist and zero points and an assist.  Was it me, or did Will look extra slow?
• Putback jam from Ben Wallace, who finished with 5 points, 6 boards and a steal.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• As always I’m impressed with the hustle of Jonas Jerebko, but when he set a screen and took a football tackle from Matt Barnes (flagrant one) and got up smirking, I appreciated him just a little more. Jonas with 13, 2 steals, a blocked shot and 3 boards in 34 minutes.
• Win or lose, I love it how Detroit always brings it when it comes to the Magic.
• Rodney Stuckey scored 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting with 6 boards and 7 assists. So what if his shot didn’t fall, he was doing whatever he could when he was out there.
• Rip Hamilton with his most impressive game since he was injured. Game high 36 from Rip on 12-for-18 shooting with 3 assists, and 5 boards. It was nice to see everything going right for Rip, while playing the way we are used to seeing him play.

Photo/Getty Images

• Anyone catch how upset George Blaha was with the Refs?  It was hilarious.
• Detroit stepped up their Defense to get back in the game in the second quarter, but lost their way after the half.
• Tayshaun Prince keeps looking better, not perfect, but it will do. Prince scored 13 on 5-for-14 shooting with 8 boards and 3 assists.
• 42% shooting on the night for Detroit and 51% for the Magic.
• Outrebounded by just one 39-40.
• In my book it doesn’t count as a “no look pass” if you turn away an pose dramatically Jason.

• We have until 3PM Thursday to see if the Pistons make a move.

The 19-33 Detroit Pistons are in Orlando on a second game of a back to back to take on the 36-18 Orlando Magic. On the heels of the Detroit’s blowout against Minnesota, and the way the Pistons play the Magic, this should be a good one.

With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, still no solid information points the Pistons towards a deal.

The biggest news to come out today is Tom Wilson’s decision to step down as the CEO of the Palace Sports and Entertainment.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:00 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

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.

Don’t forget leave Bennie and Jeff your thoughts in the comments. They are waiting to hear what Team Need4Sheed has to say.

Team Need4Sheed Podcast #33- To Trade or not to Trade

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