Key Points:

• Another game without Ben Wallace and another game that shows just how much the man anchored the entire defense.  Besides the Swede, we look as soft at the Pilsbury dough-boy.
• Nice to see Stuckey on the bench in street clothes.  He’s missed dearly, just hope he really is ok.
• The Pistons second unit is NOT getting it done.
• The Utah streak against the Pistons now stands at 10 in a row.
• At one point during a run, the Jazz were shooting close to 70%, while they held the Pistons to 31%.
• Yes, it really was that bad Jonas.

Photo/Getty Images

• Never noticed this lineup, which Kuester showed in the third. Tay, Daye, Ben Gordon, Charlie V and Jonas.
• It just has to be in Ben Gordon’s head at this point. He can’t hit a shot for anything. Ben shot 4-for-11 for 11 points…it will come.
• Utah is a very good team.
• Charlie Villanueva led Detroit with 19 points on 8-for-18 shooting in 26 minutes on the floor. I know he played ok, but it’s like a Sheed deja-vu ——POST UP CV!
• Detroit allowed the Jazz a 56% shooting night and seemed to contest absolutely noting in the paint.
• At this point, more A Daye and DaJuan please.
• Another start for Will Bynum who wasn’t hitting much either. Will went 4-for-10 and took some ill advised shots. He was clearly outmatched against Deron and he wracked up just 2 assists.
• Double-double for Jason Maxiell with 11 boards and 10 points. He’s doing what he can to pick up the slack for Wallace.
• Looked like the Pistons were all playing one on one basketball until they got into trouble and either jacked up a bad shot or passed it away when getting trapped. No semblance of any types of plays or organization offensively or defensively.
• Jonas Jerebko 13 points, 5 boards and three steals. I’ll not even going out on a limb when I say he’s currently the fan favorite at the Palace and it really shows.
• Best part of the game, The Need4Sweed putback jam.

Video Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• Oh and BTW, did anyone notice the Need For Sweed custom jersey in the crowd!

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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Summers, Daye and Jerebko were really working hard for about an hour before tip, which they do before every game.  One would think someone (BG) should be out there as long as the rooks are to get his flow back……just saying.

When I was asked to do another guest post at Need4Sheed, I jumped at the opportunity. When I was asked to pick a game, I naturally chose the Knicks game because they can’t possibly beat the Pistons right? No? So for guest post #2 of my N4S career, I am stuck writing a recap of the worst loss of the season. Earlier, if you’ll remember, I wrote about the Pistons disastrous loss to the Indiana Pacers on the 22nd of January. So, whether you want to remember or not, here we go:

Final Score Pistons 104 Knicks 128

• Jonas Jerebko is above and beyond the player of the night: 15 points (4-9 fg, 2-2 3pt, 5-7 FT) with 13 rebounds (4 offensive) in 34 minutes.
• Only Austin Daye had a positive plus/minus (+6) for the Pistons, everyone else was a negative (Richard Hamilton was a team worst, -22).
• With the Pistons down 20+ with a little over 2 minutes to go DaJuan Summers, Chucky Atkins and Kwame Brown got some burn. I guess being down by as much as 27 at one point doesn’t mean that perhaps another group could provide a spark huh Coach Q?
• Actually since you’ve been reading this, the score is now 134-104 as Al Harrington has hit 2 more 3 pointers.
• At least the Maxiell did what he could in place of Ben Wallace.

Photo/Getty Images

• I remember when I played basketball, they taught me to put my hands up on opponent’s shot attempts. The Knicks shot 55% from the field, 52% from 3. The Knicks made 6 more shots than the Pistons on 4 less shots. Where’s the D?
• Newly acquired Bill Walker scored a career high 22 points on 9-13 shooting. So tell me Rip, Tayshaun, Daye, and whoever else guarded 2nd year SG/SF Bill Walker who couldn’t see any time in Boston… how does Bill Walker absolutely embarrass you like that?  This dunk didn’t help.

Video Courtesy of The NBA

• Tracy McGrady with a near triple-double (21 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists). The man is playing on one leg.
• The New York Knicks did not start a point guard.
• The only players on the Knicks that shot under 50% on the night were Sergio Rodriguez and Toney Douglas.
• 4 Knicks scored 20 or more. 0 Pistons scored 20 or more.
• Poor ball movement – 19 assists on 41 field goals made for Detroit.
• Remember New York didn’t start a point guard? They had 33 assists on 47 field goals made.
• Ben Wallace out after injuring his knee against the Celtics. Jason Maxiell started in his place and played 30 minutes, scoring 10 points and securing 8 rebounds.
• Awful game. Just awful.

Photo/Getty Images

• Why is Tayshaun Prince playing 33 minutes in a 20+ point blowout loss and Austin Daye only playing 10 minutes?
• Why is this team as bad as they are? They have 7 road wins. 7. They’ve played 30 road games.
• Al Harrington usually does not play well against us (12.2 ppg career) but he exploded for 26 points on 10-17 shooting with 8 rebounds.
• Thanks again to Natalie for allowing me to write this re-cap. Nothing positive came from watching this game, writing this re-cap or thinking this team has a chance against cellar dweller teams anymore. The Detroit Pistons are a bad team right now.
• The High-Low lights

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

Key Points:

• Though wasn’t that close to the action, I could still here the emphatic Rasheed Wallace scream “Ball Don’t Lie” from my seat at the Palace.

Photo/Getty Images

• Great third quarter, but it all fell apart in the fourth.
• They got as close as three with second left on the clock.
• Detroit’s bench really did a bad job tonight, once again they took a lead and dug a hole.
• I know it’s not my money, but can Ben Gordon give us a refund?  Eight points in 26 minutes with 4 turnovers.  He’s the anti-clutch right now.
• A double-double for Jonas Jerebko, who in my mind was the player of the game for Detroit.  The Birthday boy lead Detroit with 16 points, 10 boards, a steal and an assist in 30 minutes on the floor.  His Swedeness never ceases to amaze.

Photo/Getty Images

• Ben Wallace helped off the floor in the closing minute of the game after  putting up six with a blocked shot and 12 boards.  If Ben goes you can start looking at an unofficial tank.
• Kuester mentioned Ben had a sore knee in the post game presser. I’m sure we will be updated later.
• Richard Hamilton with 16 on 4-for-9 shooting with 7 assists and a steal.   Rip went 7-for-7 for the line after missing clutch free throws the other night.
• Rip to Ben Alley-Oop

Video Courtesy of the Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• Tayshaun Prince, who scored 15 points and looked very good, had a scary moment going down after he rolled an ankle.  The sprain looked pretty bad, but he came back late in the fourth to finish the game.
• 3-for-20 from downtown for Detroit.
• Austin Daye a HUGE spark off the bench.  Daye just kept hitting shots scoring 9 points in 13 minutes with 5 boards.  Give this Kid Charlie Villanueva’s minutes and his sandwiches.
• Will Bynum just isn’t Bynumite as of late, 14 minutes an assists and 4 points.
• A much better 76% from the line for Detroit, who had been shooting in the 50’s from the line on the west coast trip.
• I think Charlie Villanueva should take 3/4 of his salary and deposit it into Jonas Jerebko’s bank account.
• Rodney Stuckey 5-for 15 for 13 points with 6 assists.  This blow-by layup was Stucktacular.

Video Courtesy of the Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• Jason Maxiell still bringing it.
• What do you know, Sheed actually was in the paint for Boston.  Think he’s getting a bonus for that?
• Someone please inform the Pistons that Nate Robinson likes to go off on their team.  Nate off the bench knocking down threes and pushing Boston over the top with 14 points in 15 minutes.
• This block on Nate by Stuck did make the whole Palace get up out of their seats.

Video Courtesy of the Detroit Pistons and The NBA

• I joined Celtics Late Night Show post game to talk about Detroit, Sheed and to make fun of Scalabrine.   Oh how I love poking  fun of Boston fans who sound like they just got tossed from the playoffs after they just won a game against Detroit.   Here is the direct link to the show.
• Another day, another game in New York.
• Thanks to all of you for donating to the Pistons Care Telethon.  If you didn’t get a chance to help feed the hungry in Michigan, you still can.

The 21-38 Detroit Pistons will be hosting The 36-21 Boston Celtics tonight at the Palace.  Set another Sheed return aside, the Pistons are hosting something bigger than a ball game tonight. The Pistons Care Telethon is in progress and set to feed a lot of hungry people in Michigan. If you can help, even if it’s only a dollar, please do.

On a personal note, I’ll will be a guest of Celtics Late Night, after the game to give them my take on the Detroit side of things, as well as a lot of good natured (not really) ribbing about all things I hate that are green.

The Show starts at 11:00, and as soon as I get back from the game I will be joining the show Live.  If you are so inclined, please call in so I can chat with my fellow Pistons fans.  Let’s show the Celtics fans we mean business.

347-215-7771

And to make things…better (or maybe worse) I spotted Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen last night when I was having dinner and  gave them both the evil Pistons StinkEYE. Does that GuaranSWEDE a Pistons win? Not sure it does, but it sure made me feel good.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:30 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

Don’t forget to Donate!

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.

To enter the contest, simply send an email to TicketDealsNA@viagogo.com“Pistons Contest.” By entering the contest you will also get a special discount code for Need4Sheed readers.  We will be announcing the winner here at Need4Sheed.com on February 22nd.

Make sure you drop by viagogo.com to see some of the incredible deals they have going on Pistons tickets.  They are sure to be the lowest prices you will find anywhere, often more than 50% off face value!

Here are a couple of our picks for great deals:

• Pistons vs. Bucks –
  Face value: $110 vs. viagogo’s price: $8!
• Pistons vs. Houston Rockets –
  Face value: $110 vs. viagogo’s price $15!

Bowling

FSN ran an entertaining segment of Austin and FSN Reporter Justin White going at it at the lanes (not in the lane). I won’t spoil the ending.