For the second consecutive night the Pistons controlled the first half and came out lifeless after the break. That’s two giveaways,  as Detroit lost to the Bucks in Milwaukee’s season opener 85-96.

Key Points:

• If you missed this game and caught the Pistons home opener then just check this off the list.  Saturday night’s loss was almost identical to what went wrong at the Palace against the Thunder.
• Ben said it best: “We can’t afford to come out and take off the first five minutes,” said Ben Wallace, who finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. “We got ourselves into a dogfight and they took advantage of it.” Via The Detroit News
• Pistons aside, go pick up Brandon Jennings in your fantasy teams.  Not only did this rookie almost put up a triple-double the other night he pretty much  single-handedly turned a 49-38 halftime deficit into a 74-63 lead going into the fourth. He scored 14 points during a 19-4 run, and he had 16 points in the quarter. This likely rookie of the year dropped 24 total on Detroit and was fun to watch.  He put Stuckey to shame a couple times down the floor, specifically in the third when Rodney went in for a floater that missed and Jennings picked up his rebound, took it to the other end and put up a left handed floater right back in Stuck’s face.
• “I’m very pleased with our defensive effort,” Kuester said. “We’ll get better offensively before it’s all over.” Via The Detroit Free Press.
• Second half failure on offense and defense.  The Pistons allowed the Bucks a free reign  to score 36 points and shoot 68.4% in the third quarter.
• Why the Bucks crowd felt the need to boo Charlie Villanueva is beyond me.  He didn’t leave and go to a rival for more money, the Bucks never offered him a contract.  Give the guy a break .  Charlie scored 12 points on 4-8 shooting with 6 boards in 23 minutes on the floor.  He helped spark the listless Pistons in the fourth quarter.  Charlie V foul watch – 5 on the night.

Photo/Getty Images

• No Blaha on the broadcast, they didn’t tell us why, but he was likely filling his MSU responsibilities.  Mark Champion did a fine job on the call.
• I’m wondering if  Charlie V a good three point shooter, because he sure is taking a ton of them.
• Say what you will about Kwame Brown, he puts so much effort out every game that it’s refreshing. He finished with 4 boards and a steal.
• Burn for Jonas Jerebko, who I have noticed at the home games is the girls replacement for Goldie Locks himself Walter Herrmann.  His first name is Jonas but he’s got some fans in Detroit that would rival the Jonas Brothers. Jonas played six minutes and picked up 2 fouls and 2 boards.
• I always get a kick out of watching Carlos Delfino playing against Detroit no matter what team he’s on.  He always has something to prove and does whatever he can to make his point, good or bad.  He’s starting for the Bucks and I wish him well, but the Pistons usually get the best of him. Delfino finished with 5 points on 2-for-7 shooting.
• Jason Maxiell had the Milwaukee crowd wowed with a thunder dunk.  Remember when Maxie would come in and spark the team with making plays?  Maybe it came back against the Bucks.  Two ridiculous back to back blocks at end of the first half for Jason.
• They mentioned on the broadcast that the Guards are carrying the scoring load.  Isn’t that what we expected?  Or are we going to rely on Kwame and Ben?  Tayshaun and Charlie have to help the little guys out.
• Stuckey scored 13 points on 6-for-19 shooting, looked good in the first half as you can tell from the nice effort and and one below but had difficulties with Jennings and poor shot selection after the break.  Give him credit for 8 assists, something Pistons fans were worried about.  I am a fan of Rodney but sometimes his decisions to drive the lane in the crowd and get stuffed by the big men wears me down.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Big Ben Wallace had another great night for the Pistons, just 2 points shy of a double-double with 10 boards and 8 points on the night.
• NO Wilcox or Daye?  I think we needed Chris to give us some inside presence, especially since the front court want really able to do much.
• You can see how everything just stopped in the second half by the assist stat.  Detroit had 12 at the half and 17 on the night.
• Outrebounded 26-29.
• Ben Gordon led the Pistons again with 26 points on 8-for-15 shooting with 3 assists and 2 boards.  Who says the guy plays no D, Gordon statch the ball 3 times against Milwaukee and has been looking like he’s trying to fit into Detroit’s (used to be) defensive mold.

Photo/Getty Images

• Will Bynum 10 points, 2 assists and a board in 20 minutes.
• We need a bit more from Tayshaun, especially with Rip out.  He scored 12 on 6-for-12 shooting with 3 assists and 2 boards.  I’m not asking him to put up 20 a night, though I know he can, he just needs to spark the team when he’s on the floor.
• It’s like a Jekyll and Hyde thing, fun to watch in the first half and a nightmare in the second.
• Hopefully the two days of “rest” will help Detroit straighten things out before they host Dwight Howard and the Magic Tuesday night.
• Even if you don’t want to, watch the highlights simply to enjoy the talent that rookie Brandon Jennings displayed Saturday night. Still waiting on the NBA to post them, but here are the first half highlights.

As I was catching up on my Tweeting, I noticed this from Charlie Villanueva “feeling like crap today, I’m so sick right now.” That was twittered today at 11 AM, hopefully that’s the reason for his woes on court. Feel better @CV31, we need you.

As always, The Detroit Pistons 2009-2010 Detroit Pistons Introductions followed by a very heartfelt dedication to Pistons owner and Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame Bill Davidson.

Ben Wallace with a HUGE ovation and being there I can tell you that he had to have felt the love in the building.  Ben Gordon, who started in place of the injured Richard Hamilton got a nice ovation, but overall I was impressed by the love for Will Bynum….BYNUMITE.

No Sheed, no post intro dance, that I missed.

Jamie Samuelsen,Jamie Samuelsen,

• “Deron is just tipping his talent in regards to how good he can become,” coach John Kuester said.” Deron Washington has potential.
• My Pistons X-Factor pick for the season Chris Wilcox is excited with the new atmosphere.
• Yahoo  previews the Pistons over at Ball Don’t Lie. A little preview (Prediction: 40-42)
• Great first Start for Austin Daye.
• Dallas -- Pistons Highlights

• Chris Bosh is a hero off court for a number of NBA players including Tayshaun Prince and Charlie Villanueva.
• “Here’s what I don’t like so far: the guard play. I still just don’t see how John Kuester is going to balance this thing out and find the right combinations.” Jamie Samuelsen at the Free Press in his article: Backcourt gives reasons for hope and worry.
• Jerebko learned to be a “Bad Boy” in Sweden.
• Kwame Brown is looking good and Stuckey was impressive in Dallas.
• Another non televised game tonight (Saturday)  in Memphis.  Good news, Charlie Villanueva is slotted to take the court  possibly with the (toe) slightly still  injured Tayshaun Prince .  Bad news, we won’t see it.
• You will see this from CV-TV.. A great piece on who Charlie is and what he had to overcome to be what he is today.

The Pistons would like to keep the pre-season perfect as they take on The Bucks tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Tip off is at 7:30, but unfortunately this one won’t be broadcast on television.  If you want to catch the game you will have to tune into 97.1 The Ticket where of course Matt Dery will be on the pre and post game to take your calls and Ticket Texts (text 97136 from your mobile phone). To Listen online go to NBA.com.

Notables/Injuries

Charlie Villanueva is not expecting to play tonight against his old squad while he nurses his sore hammy.

Too bad Pistons fans can’t see what Carlos Delfino does against his former team.

Follow the game online or on the radio at 97.1 and leave your thoughts in the comments.

• Kwame Brown will return to play for Detroit.
• Interesting thoughts on why Boozer should Opt-out.
• Nothing official yet on Pistons top Free Agent target Boozer…he has until 5pm today to make his the decision to stay with Utah or opt out and test the free agent market.
• Dumars can start negotiating with Free Agents Wednesday July 1st, but can’t sign anyone until July 8th.
• Free Agency looms….
• The Bucks are not make a qualifying offer to Villanueva, making him an unrestricted free agent. Villanueva is now on the Pistons radar.
• Pistons summer league taking shape.
• Jonas Jerebko is a blast from Joe Dumars’ past

The Pistons will host the Cleveland Cavaliers this afternoon for what could be their last game of the season. Down three games to the Cavs and showing little or no signs of life, more than just an early playoff exit is at stake for this Detroit team.

Familiar endings and new beginnings.

With the team missing their swagger (as well as their leader) all season long this group will most likely be playing its last game (or games if they can pull it out today) together. So enjoy this game for whatever it is Pistons fans, your favorite players just may be playing their last games in red, white and blue.
Michael Curry

“Guys are down, but that’s anywhere when you’re down like this in a series and it’s tough. The biggest thing is getting just focused on one game. What you tend to do when you’re down in a series is go back over the whole season. So you start looking at things that you have no control over.” Via The Detroit Free Press

Tip off is at 3:30 and will broadcast nationally on ABC. If you can’t watch the early afternoon game, you can listen over at WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game live over at NBA.com.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comments or Chat Live at gametime.

Yes the Pistons are now on the brink of an abrupt end to what turned out to be a painful NBA season. Down 0-3 to the Cavs after their 79-68 loss Friday night at the Palace, they are in jeopardy of a first round Swiffer if they don’t win Sunday afternoon at home.

Key Points:

• This one started out just right, Detroit came to play and even started the game in glorious fashion with this Richard Hamilton steal that lead to a Rodney Stuckey dunk, which led to an 8-0 Pistons run.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and ESPN

• The Pistons showed some heart, played defense and controlled the tempo of the game and held the lead until the Cavs took a 33-31 lead with five minutes left in the half.
• Yes the Cavs have went to the line a whopping 100 times this series compared to 40 times for Detroit. Don’t point all the fingers at the refs or David Stern, you don’t go to the line when you shoot jumpers, it’s as simple as that.
• Tayshaun Prince played hurt and was responsible for helping the Pistons start the game strong. He finished the game with 7 points, 5 boards, and 2 assists in 33 minutes.
• Rasheed….well Sheed either has lost more than a step or checked out before the series started. Sheed scored 5 points, with 7 boards and a steal. With similar numbers this whole series and for the later half of the season, it’s fair to question if Sheed still has it at all or for this team.
• Though Dyess had trouble knocking down his shot (4-for-10), he still put his heart on the line and was pivotal in Detroit’s third quarter run. He finished with 8 points, 2 blocks and 8 boards.  Unfortunately it looks like No Ice4Dyess.

Photo/Getty Images

• Two Pistons in double figures is disastrous.
• The Pistons are on Life Support.
• This one wasn’t hard to watch, they came to play but are clearly outmatched.  Tied at the end of the third quarter and then settling for Rip Hamilton jumpers in the fourth maybe was a mistake.
• Rip led Detroit with 15 points on 6-for-17 shooting with 6 assists, 8 boards and 2 steals in 41 minuets.
• “This is killing me, I can’t even lie,” Hamilton said. “Knowing how great we were, and then being down 0-3 and being the eighth seed and watching them celebrate shot after shot, it’s hard. It’s a terrible situation.” Via The Detroit News
• This was actually the first time in the series that Detroit was in a position to win the game but a horrible 4th (something that haunted them all season long) was the cause.
• Just 6 points for Bynum in 18 minutes but it was this leaping steal that made me rewind the game about three times.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and ESPN

• Sick and tired of “Andy” AKA CLOWNFISH getting in everyone’s face. I’m not one for violence but I wouldn’t mind clocking the dude myself. Yes he’s and energy guy bla, bla, bla….he’s a punk. And as Mr. Blaha said, ” Don’t the referees even watch this guy?” He pushed Kwame and Brown gets a tech. Great.
• Speaking of Mr. Kwame Brown, he’s been the surprise of the series. Bringing energy and banging down low ever time he steps on the court. Kwame scored 4 points in 13 minutes with 3 boards and 3 blocked shots. And he won’t let you get in his face either.

Photo/Getty Images

• Something so wrong at the Palace – Who was the genius that decided to get Cavalier phone service to sponsor the thundersticks so CAVALIER is written in bold across the thing?
• “Right now, we have to have a focus that is a game-winner, every possession,” Detroit guard Arron Afflalo said. “Just looking at a lot of the teams in history that are good teams, they played with a certain intensity, a certain focus, and a certain energy level, every possession. And being down 3-0, that’s what it’s come down to.” Via MLive
• What is really more to say, at least they tried. The Cavs are a better team and quite honestly it hurts much less to loose to them this year than it did in 07 when Detroit was the better team. I’m not giving up, but a Sunday home game looks daunting.

With the 102-106 loss in Indiana Saturday night the Pistons are now a half game behind the Bulls in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Richard Hamilton is saying all the right things:

“It really don’t matter to us, to tell you the truth,” said Hamilton. “We’re already near the bottom in the playoffs, so at this point, regardless who we play, we can’t worry about who we’re going to play. We’ve just got to know that we made it to the playoffs and hopefully we can have a run.” Via The Detroit Free Press

Tayshaun is realistic:

“There is no worst-case scenario for us right now, the way we’ve been playing all year,” Prince said. “The best-case scenario is we got in the playoffs, so hopefully we can go in there and do some damage. I don’t think being the eight-seed that we’re in a situation we can’t handle. Any situation would have been tough for us, the way we’ve been playing, the ups and downs we’ve had all season.” Via The Detroit Free Press

If Detroit stays in the 8th spot they will face The Cavaliers, who locked up the best record in the East. There is a bright side that Dave Dial points out:

“The Pistons season this year has been pretty tough on fans to watch, but can fans imagine what would happen if Detroit upset the Cavs in the first-round of the NBA playoffs? However unlikely it is for that to happen, it’s something for Piston fans to get behind. Denying LeBron James and Cleveland the chance to contend for their first NBA Title, while possibly ensuring that James lands in New York for the 2010 season, may just be something for Piston fans to get excited about.”

The race is not over yet, with two games to go Monday nights game at home against the Bulls just keep getting bigger.

Sheed picked up his 17th technical foul Saturday one more and he would be suspended. So he’s good for the Bulls, but if he picks one up on Monday, he doesn’t play Wednesday in Miami. Let’s hope Sheed stays calm, especially since Kwame Brown’s hamstring is still iffy. As for Sheed’s techs, all is cleared come playoff time.

So Detroit’s fate rests on their last two games as well how Philly and Chicago finish.  Unfamiliar territory? Yes, but it just makes it that much more exciting. Plus….doesn’t Detroit like playing as the underdog that flies under the radar? Well if this scenario doesn’t speak volumes to their preference, I don’t know what does.

Photo/Getty Images

The Pistons may be in the “spot” they are not used to, but at least they are in one.  With Detroit’s 100-93 victory over the Nets Friday night at the Palace, Detroit secured their playoff spot.  What spot they will end up in is still up in the air with Detroit are tied with Chicago for the 7th spot and are just a game behind Philly, who are currently in the 6th spot.

Key Points:

• Detroit started the game off solid hitting their first seven shots.
• Sheed was knocking down three’s from the start and finished with 15 points, 4 boards, an assist and two blocked shots.  Sheed sat out the fourth quarter. We even saw a patented throw down dunk from Ra.
• 46 points from the Pistons bench, who surprisingly finished the game up. With just a 6 point lead and plenty of time for the Nets to come back, Curry left Will, Kwame and Maxiell on the floor.
• Defense looked great.
• The Nets Chris Douglas-Roberts was making circus shots and Ryan Anderson went 5-for-8 from downtown and was mostly responsible for the Nets comeback.  Impressed with rookie Brook Lopez, but why the sour face all the time?
• The key to this one, Detroit stopped Devin Harris. He was held to just one points and 2 assists on the night in 20 minutes.  He left the game early in the third and didn’t return due to shoulder soreness.  Defensive shutdown was nice to see after Devin had his way with Detroit this season, especially AI.
• “You know me and Stuck (Rodney Stuckey) put it on ourselves because it has been killing us and we just wanted to go out there and try to be as aggressive as possible on him (Devin Harris) on the defensive end and put more pressure on him on the offensive end.” Will Bynum via Pistons.com
• Another great game from Will Bynum, who led the Pistons with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting with 4 assists and a board in 27 minutes.  As far as the Palace crowd goes….he’s the new Herrmann.

Photo/Getty Images

• Rob, Pistons fan from Australia and fellow blogger, was at the Palace for the first time ever last night. This is what being a Pistons fan is all about.
• With the season winding down, Curry may be resting the starters a bit more. “If everything is secure (with the playoff seed), maybe we won’t play Dyess in Miami on Wednesday,” Curry said. “The practice (Tuesday) will be aimed more toward the playoffs than just that Miami game.” Via The Detroit News
• Solid Kwame again with 7 points and 7 boards in 18 minutes.  Is there something in the water over there at the Palace? Kwame is tearing things up (in Kwame terms), Will is Bynumite, Dyess is playing like a teenager and Herrmann’s hair is shinier than ever.
• Detroit shot 53% from the floor and outrebounded the Nets 41-31.
• Jason Maxiell always seems to be in the right place at the right time and this putback jam that he took out of Anderson’s hands may be one of his most impressive. Maxiell finished with 11 points, 6 boards, a steal and a blocked shot in 23 minutes.

• Detroit has made the playoffs for eight consecutive years, and 32 times in franchise history.
• Six Pistons in double figures.
• Walter scored just 2, (with 6 boards) but he was out on the floor when the Pistons pulled away in the second.
• 10 for Stuckey, 10 for Rip, 8 for Tay and 11 for McDyess.
• Wondering how Curry will deal with the rotation come playoff time, well there is this from Joanne C. Gerstner of The Detroit News

“Most coaches like to shorten their playoffs rotations, often going to as few as one or two key reserves.

Curry is taking a different tack, planning on using as many as nine players in the postseason.

His logic is simple. He likes having two big men, center Kwame Brown and power forward Jason Maxiell , play. Bynum is the main reserve at point guard.

And depending on the team and game situation, he’d like to give forward Walter Herrmann and guard Arron Afflalo some time, too.

“It’s almost like we said coming out of training camp,” Curry said Friday. “We definitely expect to play nine guys every night.”

• NBA Highlights of the Game

• “Just because the Pistons now know there’s life after 82, they can’t pause to catch their breath just yet. So far all they’ve locked up is finishing no worse than eighth in the East, but if the cards fall their way, they can still climb a few rungs in the standings.” Matt Watson Fanhouse
• A win tonight in Indiana would be great, especially with the Bulls coming to town on Monday.

The Pistons went on a 10-0 run to start things off in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night and never looked back. Detroit’s rare rout could be just the thing to ease them into what they have in store for them come playoff time. The win 113-86 victory puts Detroit in a tie with Chicago for the #7 spot in the East playoff race.

Key Points:

• An impressive 56 points in the paint for Detroit while shooting 53.8% from the field on the night.
• This game brought back memories of “The Pistons”, you know that team we have come to know that dominates games and goes to six consecutive ECF’s. A pleasant flashback if you watched this one.
• Mr. McDyess just doesn’t realize that he’s in the second half of his career. He had about 90 (8 to be exact) rebounds in the first quarter alone and finished with a double-double with 13 points, 16 boards an assist and 2 blocked shots in 29 minutes.
• Rip didn’t get ejected in this one, for some reason Rip’s temper gets the best of him in New York. He had been ejected in 4 of the last 6 games at the Garden.
• Great ball movement from Detroit, who took advantage of the Knicks small lineup.
• Hamilton led the team with 22 points, adding 7 assists and three boards in 32 minutes.  No two points prettier than when he took it left handed to David Lee for the layup.

Photo/Getty Images

• All five starters in double figures.
• 57-33 edge on the board for Detroit.
• Play of the game, a Rasheed behind the back block to Tayshaun for an uncontested dunk. You can see it in the NBA Highlights.

• The Big Men – Dyess and Sheed combined for 27 points and 28 rebounds.
• The Pistons never trailed in this one and led by as much as 32 points.
• Jason Maxiell can wow just about any crowd and putbacks are a specialty. Jason put up 6 points and 6 boards in 18 minutes.

Photo/Getty Images

• The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is one.
• “Whoever is going to play (the Pistons) in the playoffs is going to have some trouble,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “They’re big. They’re strong. They run. And our guys got overwhelmed.” Via The Detroit News
• Everyone played in this one, even Walter Sharpe who went 0-for-2 and one of those I’m sure he will be hearing about today from his teammates. Teammates can be brutal when you throw up an air ball.
• A better game for Rodney Stuckey, who looked very comfortable running the floor and making the most of the openings he saw to get the ball to open teammates.  Stuckey finished with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting with 7 assists, a steal and one board while turning the ball over twice.
• “Three or four times we got the rebound and he pushed the break, didn’t have anything, and he pulled it out and ran a set,” Curry said. “That’s big. That’s game management. That’s the next step in his progression as a player, as he keeps learning how to manage the game. We’re going to need that from him.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• Amir Johnson, 4 points in five minutes with one board.  I know it has been said before about Amir, but not being able to box out when the Knicks are on the foul line and losing a rebound to your man that a resulted in a three point play for the Knicks is a flaw that Amir needs to work on.
• Tayshaun Prince had quite a few easy dunks finishing with 15 points on 7-for-14 shooting with 3 boards, 2 assists and a blocked shot in 27 minutes.  It was nice to see Prince have an easy time of it for a change.

Photo/Getty Images

• Walter Hermann had quite a few highlights himself in this one, it really does amaze me when he goes up for one of his one handed floaters. Walter finished with 6 points and 6 boards in 15 minutes on the floor.
• Sheed started off things right from the start going 4-for-4 with two triples for 10 points. Wallace finished the game with 14 points and 12 boards, adding 2 blocks in 28 minuts on the floor.
• From team N4S member Ryan Collins who was at the game last night: “Lots and lots of Pistons fans in the house. Matter-of-fact, the only time you really heard Knicks fans give it up was when Nate Robinson did something, which wasn’t too often, unfortunately (i love that lil fella.). I know you watched all this on FSN Detroit, but it was a great night to be at MSG (unlike our unfortunate December meeting…) Right when Maxey went in, he had a HUGE dunk that missed, but i wanted you to know that it silenced the entire arena. Even without the points, his presence was felt.”
• Great D from Detroit, who held the Knicks to 36% shooting on the night.
• Kwame Brown still making the best of the role he has been put in. Brown put up 6 points with 8 boards and a blocked shot in 14 minutes on the floor.
• “In five months, Iverson accomplished what Flip Saunders couldn’t in three years. The Answer turned the six-time Eastern Conference finalists into a hanging-by-a-string, eighth-place playoff qualifier.” Jason Whitlock – AI Was Never The Answer
• Get in on your own Playoff Madness over at Pistons Online, where they are giving away a $500 NBA Store gift card to the winner!

Sunday night’s game at the Palace was important for both teams trying to make the playoffs. It may have meant more to the Bobcats, who are trying to knock Detroit out of the eight spot, but thanks to a record-breaking career high from Will Bynum the Pistons are a step closer to locking in on a playoff spot. The 104-97 victory snapped a three game Pistons losing streak and put their playoff magic number at 2 games.

Key Points:

• Pistons again blew a big (17 point) first half lead to make this a close one.
• Bynum was 6-for-6 from the field and 14-for-16 from the line in the fourth quarter.
• Bynum’s 26 in the fourth quarter is a new franchise record, topping the old mark of 24 held by Isiah Thomas and Jerry Stackhouse.
• Bynum scored 12 in the first 6 minutes of the fourth.
• Bynum carried Detroit with his 32 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 7 assists, 4 boards, a steal and just one turnover in 26 minutes on the floor.

Photo/Getty Images

• Bynum Highlights

• From Will Bynum’s locker room interview when asked about his performance. “It’s really not me, it’s my teammates and the coaching staff. I don’t deserve all the credit, it was pretty much them, those guys out there setting the screens and the coaching staff believing in me. That’s who gets the credit for it.”
• No points for Kwame Brown who has been playing great ball in Sheed’s absence, but he did grab 9 boards and blocked a shot in 18 minutes Sunday night.  We don’t need him to score, but we do need him to do what he has been doing.  Nice to see Kwame making the most of the role he’s been put in.
• Pleased and surprised that Curry didn’t substitute the starter Stuckey for the hot Bynum in the closing minutes. “I like to get Stuckey back at about the six-minute mark,” he said. “The way things were going tonight … it was a unique night. Twenty-six points, the most ever by a Piston player in a quarter.” Via Pistons.com
• The win puts the Pistons into a tie with the Bulls for seventh in the East.
• Rip Hamilton ejected after being assessed a second technical foul in the third quarter after scoring 13 points with 3 assists.  With the importance of the game and Detroit’s playoff predicament, I’m disappointed that Rip couldn’t control his temper. It’s bad enough we lost Sheed for the Philly game, but I come to expect a little more from Rip.
• An absolutely SHEEDtastic turn and shoot long range three pointer from Sheed in the second quarter with the shot clock running down. Sheed finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, with 3 steals, 6 boards and a blocked shot in his first game back in his starting role since his injury.

• Four minutes for Walter Herrmann who made the only shot he took, a second quarter three pointer.
• Looks like we will see Will next season at the Palace, the Pistons can keep him for next season by picking up his $825,000 option.
• Charlotte trailed by just 3 with 13.3 seconds left before Bynum knocked down free throws to seal the victory.
• Nine boards for Antonio McDyess, who finished with eight points in 25 minutes.
• 14 points for Tayshaun Prince who played solid down the stretch with Will Bynum.
• NBA.com Highlights of the Game.

Photo/Getty Images

• Great to see Will put up a game like this especially after his recent fourth quarter struggles.
• Great play from Afflalo with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting in 24 minutes. Forget about the big baskets, it’s his defense that always shines when the Pistons need a stop. “It’s been a two-year thing, playing when available,” said Afflalo, who made each of his four shot attempts and three 3-pointers. “Mentally, trying to stay tough and smart with the whole situation to where I’m in a situation where the minutes are more stable.” Via Mlive
• You can thank Maxiell for his lock down defense in the fourth quarter, leaving the Bobcats scoreless on six straight possessions in the fourth quarter.
• Detroit won the board war 41-38 and shot 49.4% on the night to Charlotte’s 40.7%.
• The Pistons’ next one, a road game against the Knicks Wednesday night.

As Pistons fans it’s hard to image that a late season game with the Charlotte Bobcats would weigh so heavily on Detroit’s future, but it does. The Pistons host the Bobcats today at the Palace of Auburn Hills and as much as this game means to a struggling Detroit, Charlotte will be fighting for a win to help them reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

If the Detroit cannot beat the Bobcats today, Charlotte will pull within a game of the eighth place Pistons with just five games to play left this season. The (34-42) Bobcats have won six of eight to get themselves back in the playoff race.

Yes it’s that big, and don’t think for one minute that Larry Brown wouldn’t be more than happy to serve Detroit a loss tonight.

And yes…an early evening Sunday game just adds to the way things have gone for Detroit this season.

Tip off is at 6:00 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN. If you can’t watch it, listen live on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game through your computer at NBA.com.

UPDATE:

BYNUMITE!

Bynum scored a franchise record 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead Detroit to a 104-97 win over the Bobcats. Will scored the final 13 points for the Pistons and finished with a career high 32 points.