I was lucky enough to see this one coming last night at the Palace during the Pistons 87-83 win over the Heat.  The Princeesque  block by Austin Daye on Dwyane Wade.  This one gave instant rep to Austin at the Palace especially after they replayed it on the big screen multiple times.

Thanks to Need4Sheed reader Jay for the Video.

Due to time restrictions, I am unable to post a full recap of the game so I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments.  One word from me, impressed.

Two little tidbits from the game that you may not have heard on the broadcast.

• A put Chucky chant started in the late fourth quarter
• And when Jonas Jerebko and Jamaal Magloire got into their little scrum…the crowd started chanting DEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLL.  See, we always keep that “Bad Boys” mentality.

FYI to Austin Daye Fans

“Pistons rookie Austin Daye will be at Meijer in Allen Park (3536 Fairlane Blvd.) on Tues., Oct. 6, from 4:30-6:00 p.m., along with the Pistons Hoop Truck, where you can get a voucher for a free ticket to an upcoming preseason game at The Palace.” Via Pistons.com

Your thoughts in the comments.

Things have really changed around here when we are celebrating a two game winning streak. The Pistons closed out their tough five game road trip with a solid win in Boston against the World Champion Celtics. The Celtics were without Kevin Garnett, but Detroit’s 105-95 road victory was impressive regardless of the former league’s MVP absence (2004). Remember, the Pistons were without their former MVP Allen Iverson (2001).

Key Points:

• Detroit started the game off strong and went on plenty of runs throughout the game.  What changed in this game was Detroit didn’t let the runs that Boston went on get out of hand.
• Remember when we used the word poised when describing the way Detroit played? Well this is the first I’ve seen of it all season long.
• Detroit had lost five straight regular season games to the Celtics and 9-of-11 including a six-game Eastern Conference final.
• Detroit is back to playing .500 ball and has the same record as the Sixers. They are currently holding on to the 7th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Get this….16.5 games back of Cleveland.
• Detroit played a solid 48 minutes.
• Rip Hamilton once again led this team to victory with 25 points, an assist away from a double-double. He added six boards in 39 minutes, while shooting 50% from the floor and went 11-for-12 from the line.  Is he trying to emphasize the fact that he should have never lost his starting job?  If he is, and this is the outcome we get…..keep it up Rip.

Photo/Getty Images

• Rip Hamilton’s post game comments. (video)
• “We played our type of basketball,” Hamilton said. “That’s the thing for me with Tayshaun, Rasheed (Wallace) and (Antonio) McDyess, I always know they’re going to be at all times.” Via NBA.com
• Thank you NBA Referees, we bitch when you’re wrong (like when you missed Rip getting mauled at the end of the game) so it’s only right when we thank you for your fine work. That’s just how we roll in Detroit.  Detroit made a season-high 34 free throws, in 40 attempts.
• Sheed 15 points, 6 boards, 2 blocked shots and a steal. Solid defensive game for Sheed. I still wonder if he thinks he can make some of the crazy threes he jacks up.  Maybe it should be Jack ….instead of Roscoe?
  
• Outrebounded 35-31.
  
• Iverson still questionable for Tuesday’s game against Denver.
• Tayshaun Prince again asserted himself in a big game.  Prince scored 15 with 8 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. How about the kind bounce on the three in the third quarter…nice.
  

Photo/Getty Images

• NBA.com Pistons vs Celtics Video Recap.
• God love Hubie Brown and his pronunciations.
• Pistons led at the half 55-47 and didn’t give the lead up at all until Boston went on a run. Boston led 85-81 when Rasheed hit a tree pointer with 7:04 left to start a 13-4 run that left the Pistons ahead 94-89. They never looked back.
• Maxiell making clutch free throws with under three minutes left in the game.
  
• Rodney Stuckey held his own Sunday afternoon with 10 points, 5 assists, 3 boards, a rebound and just one turnover.
• Will Bynum made a bigger splash and is making a case for more playing time with 9 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in just 12 minutes.  The takeaway from Marbury that lead to a layup was a thing of beauty, not to mention hard work.
• I will never understand the head tattoo.
• How about Detroit’s determination to come back and regain the lead in the fourth quarter and close the game out?
• 40 points in the paint for Boston to 18 for Detroit.
• Can we just say all hail to The Mighty THOR!  Walter Herrmann was a huge boost for Detroit making 4 of his 5 shots for 11 quick points for Detroit.

Original Thor Drawing/Marvel Comics

• Say what you will, but that inbound pass he tried at the end of the half still has me laughing.  Remember MIGHTY THOR!

• 15 lead changes and this one was tied 20 times.
• Defense…the Pistons had 8 steals  and 3 blocked shots
• 15th technical foul for Rasheed Wallace.
• Stat line of the night, just 6 turnovers for Detroit.
• Look I’m usually not one to bash other teams or their fans, (except Varejoke) but I think Celtics fans have it coming. I can’t tell you how many vile comments I deleted all day by the classy people of Boston. So when I saw this picture of Glen “Big Baby” with that look on his face I found it quite amusing that even the fans reacted with the cry big baby dramatics.

Photo/Getty Images

• Antonio McDyess 10 points, 5 boards and a blocked shot while Jason Maxiell had 8 points in 17 minutes.
• For the second game in a row the ball movement was flowing and the team looked in sync. Be careful to judge these two games as “the Pistons are back,” in fact it may be more difficult once Allen Iverson is back from injury and the rotation issues become prevalent. The problems haven’t disappeared just because of a big win. If the egos can handle what’s going on and they commit to playing the way they did the last two games then they just may have a chance to become respectable again.
• 30 Bench points for Detroit.
• “You can tell they’re playing the system they played before Iverson got there,” said Celtics forward Paul Pierce, who scored 26. “When Iverson is out there they’re still trying to figure out how to use each other, how to all be successful. But that group that’s out there is definitely comfortable because they’ve played together for years.’‘ Via NBA.com
• I’m loving the Blind Date comparison in the comments of the game thread. Feel free to keep them coming.

There were two big stories in Orlando Friday night. Richard Hamilton returned to the starting lineup for the Pistons and they won. It was a familiar and cohesive looking Pistons team that took the floor and didn’t back down until the job was done. The 93-85 victory over a strong Orlando team on the road could be just what the Pistons need to get them into gear and try to salvage what’s left of this season.

Key Points:

• Tayshaun Prince started things off for Detroit from the tip. He looked to score in this one and he did, finishing with 17 points on 7-14 shooting in 41 minutes on the floor.  He played the role of scorer and defender last night, just 2 assists for a Tayshaun Prince who’s had to run this offense a lot this season.
• Just three Pistons in double figures, while all five of Orlando’s starters scored 10 or more.
• If you were watching the game you saw something quite familiar that we have come to know and love as Pistons fans. DEFENSE! Dwight Howard scored 21 but not many of them came easy.  And holding Lewis to 10 and Turkoglu to 13 was just what the Pistons needed to to to get the job done.
• Rasheed, Maxiell, McDyess and, yes, Kwame Brown did a nice job defending Howard.
• 15 Turnovers for Detroit really would have stuck out more had they lost this one. Ten of those came in the first half.
• Richard Hamilton led all scorers with 31 points on 11-for-18 shooting in 41 minutes on the floor.  Rip was aggressive and looking for his shot all game long.  He added 6 assists and a board and him coming off screens and hitting his shot was a thing of beauty.  Richard Hamilton Highlights.

Photo/Getty Images

• Hamilton again reiterated the comments he made the other day and said he wasn’t cool with coming off the bench unless his team was winning. Something had to change and it did, Rip made sure of it. I think he made it clear by his words and his actions that that’s not going to happen again anytime soon.
• Allen Iverson returned to Detroit to get his back evaluated and wasn’t even in Orlando for the game. He will not be in Boston for tomorrow’s game against the Celtics either. This is just the way my mind works so bear with me. Anyone else think the “injury” (not saying he doesn’t have one) to his back may help him save a little pride going to the bench? Think it may be milked more to help AI make the transition? It was just the first thing that popped into my mind because AI seems to take a lickin’ and keep on ticking, so the fact that he wasn’t in Orlando and won’t be in Boston just made me wonder. I always used to say the only way to stop him from playing was a bullet hole, and my guess is if it was superficial he’d still take the court.
• Chris McCosky – “Curry, who gave Iverson the news Thursday night, said Iverson wasn’t happy but that he expects him to handle it like a pro.” “He’s been trying to play hurt and he’s been frustrated with that,” Curry said. “He didn’t react any different than Rip did when I talked to him about coming off the bench earlier.” “It’s nothing on Allen,” Curry said. “He’s a guy that needs the ball, and because of that it reduces the time Rodney Stuckey has the ball in his hands. That has taken away some of Rodney’s aggressiveness.” Via The Detroit News
• Will Bynum and Walter Herrmann saw extended time, but it was the hustle of Jason Maxiell that stood out most. He may not have filled the stat sheet, but Maxiell made his presence felt. Just ask Dwight.
• Amir Joshnson – DNP
• BALL MOVEMENT!
• Rodney Stuckey looked like the he did the first half of the season.  Whether this game helps him get out of his rut remains to be seen but he looked great in the Pistons’ win.  Stuckey scored 22 on 9-15 shooting with 6 1 assist in 40 minutes.  Great game for Stuckey, besides his 4 turnovers. Rodney Stuckey Highlights.

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• The Pistons outrebounded the Magic by 10, 38-28.
• Haven t heard George Blaha this excited on a broadcast in quite some time. Boy was he animated down the stretch when it looked like the Pistons weren’t going to give this up in the final minutes.
• The Pistons outscored the Magic 28-14 in a dominating third quarter that helped Detroit put the game away.
• FSN Highlights of the Game by quarter.
• All heart from Antionio McDyess who did the dirty work in the Pistons’ win. Dyess scored 8 with 13 boards and a blocked shot in 40 minutes.
• Sheed, 10 boards, 8 points and 2 steals.
• “One thing with Orlando is that if we continue to play Dwight straight up with Rasheed there, it allows us to stay on their 3-point shooters,” Prince said. “And if we can eliminate that, then we put ourselves in good position to get the game.’‘ Via NBA.com
• Friday Rasheed Wallace was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing a towel into the stands and another in the direction of referee Bill Kennedy.
• Maybe this is a solid answer to who is really running the show. This is what Rodney Stuckey had to say. “My teammates were getting on me,” Stuckey said. “When the boss man’s getting on you (Joe Dumars, Detroit’s president of basketball operations), you know you have to change something.” Via MLive

It was a tough way to put an end to the Pistons’ seven game winning streak. Iverson was once again put in the spot to take the last shot, but this time AI’s last-second shot didn’t go down and the Pistons lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 84-83.

Key Points:

• Exciting game, yes – but you just can’t keep squandering double digit leads (14) and expect to keep winning games.
• One word……..Turnovers. Thirteen to be exact. It was the ones late in the game that helped Portland go on a run and take this game away from Detroit.
• Travis Outlaw hit the game winner for the Blazers with 8 seconds on the clock. He’s burned the Pistons before so I wasn’t surprised when he hit that shot.
• No Rip, no Sheed and foul trouble for Amir.
• Say what you will about Kwame Brown but he looked as good as we need him to be. Thirty minutes with 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting with 4 boards, a steal and 2 blocked shots.
• 13 boards for Dyess, who is stunned the Pistons lost this one. “I can’t believe we lost, I am still in disbelief, stunned, the way we played, how well we played on defense — but we just let it slip away.” Via The Detroit News
• Forget the fan call-in voting that had Rodney Stuckey as the Player of The Game. Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with 26 points looking so sharp early. Tayshaun played 44 minutes going 13-for-21 with 8 boards, an assist, a steal and a block. Player of the game in my book and solid play from Prince since he was put back in his SF position.

Photo/Getty Images

• Tayshaun Prince Highlights.
• Tayshaun was hot, Allen was not (6-for-19). If I’m the coach, I put the ball in Tay’s hands for the last shot.
• 32 points in the paint for Detroit to 38 for Portland.
• Aldridge looked great again for Portland, dropping 26 on the Pistons and making it look easy.
• Just three Pistons in double figures.
• Was the game a little too late for you? FSN did a fine job with the quarter by quarter break down of the game.
• Maybe it was nerves……. He started off just fine and it looked like it was going to be another great night for Stuck, but maybe it was all the family and friends in the crowd that led to Rodney’s (sub par for him) game. Thirteen points on 4-for-12 shooting with 6 turnovers.

Photo/Getty Images

• When you win the war of the boards 40-28 and have 2 double digit leads in a game you should win, right?
• More Maxiell please! Is it me or is Curry not utilizing the Baby Eater?
• The Pistons need to make their late game free throws. Detroit was 9-for-16 on the night at the stripe.
• I know we lost, but I’m still impressed with how Detroit has played without Rip and Sheed. And Dyess for that matter. I would think Rip and Sheed would be back by now! Right?
• Is it me or do you have the feeling something is brewing in the front office?
• Ben from BlazersEdge got a glimpse of the Carolina AF1 Sheed’s.
• It’s always nice to hear from Pistons fans at road games, Jennifer Peal was at the game last night and had something nice to report. ” I was at the game tonight and ran into none other than the man himself, George Blaha. He was the nicest most kind person i’ve truly ever met. He signed my t-shirt along with Special K and I also got a picture with him, which I am sending your way. As if that wasn’t great enough, as I am sitting in my seat chatting with fellow pistons fans around me (there were many by the way), I come to find out I am sitting next to Rodney Stuckey’s Jr. High school teacher. She had driven all the way from Seattle to come to Portland to see him play.  And Blazers fans just “loved” my ball don’t lie shirt.”

• Another Pistons fan, Nicolas King, a Detroiter now living in Portland wasn’t at the game but he did work at the hotel that the Pistons were staying: I’ve run into a few players, McDyess, Stuckey, Tay, even MR BLAHA!! and they are very nice and polite. I thanked McDyess about bringing the energy back to the stones and for just coming back, I told Blaha about how i remember lambs lowdown and Kenny’s Key’s to winning he was loving it, I asked Mr Kelser if he wore any powder blue yet from the Sheed MSU-UNC bet and he said Sheed hadn’t provided him the gear, the list goes on. Another tidbit, I saw Sheed a few times, and we are an art themed hotel so we have to pick our favorite artist for our name tag, naturally i picked “Rasheed Wallace” as mine, I’ve been dying for him to see it here but he’s just too intimidating when he walks by, but nonetheless my Name Tag is Sheedtastic. Rasheed came to the front desk and asked me for another key to the room, so I made one and then showed him my name tag and explained how I had his name on my name tag for my favorite artist, he smiled and thanked me, as that happened the front door man asked me in front of him how long was I reading need4sheed today and Sheed started to crackup.

• Classic….leave them in the comments, West Coast trips always have me up late, but I just finished watching the replay of this one.
• PistonsNationBlog gathered Pistons bloggers to ask the question “Rip or Iverson to the Bench?”, I bet you can guess my answer.

Forget the fact that Detroit let a 19 point lead against the Bulls shrink to just one. Rodney Stuckey put Detroit on his back to pull out a much-needed win on his way to scoring a career high 40 points Tuesday night at The Palace in Detroit’s 104-98 victory.

Key Points:

• Detroit Led 58-45 at the half only to let the Bulls go on a 20 to 2 run to cut the Pistons lead to just one.
• The Bulls never led.
• I still don’t like Nocioni, but I got to give it up to him for pushing his teammates when they weren’t playing well. Did you see him get in Tyrus Thomas’s face?
• Sheed started the game on fire again scoring Detroit’s first seven points but got cold later going 5-for-14 on his way to a 11 point 4 rebound game.
• Rasheed also earned his 11th tech of the year that he was called for during a timeout. Seriously?
• Was Rodney trying to prove something against rookie point guard Derrick Rose?
• The Bulls had no answer to Rodney Stuckey who looked like an All-Star getting whatever he wanted on his way to a career-high 40 points.

Photo/Getty Images

• First lava ball of the season by the way and I’m glad it went to Stuckey after the effort and heart he showed last night.
• Stuckey scored 17 by the half.
• It almost seems like a distant memory when Rodney Stuckey was having trouble with his jumper. This starting lineup business is suiting him well.
• Antonio McDyess and Tayshaun Prince each put up a double-double. Antonio with 10 points and 11 boards and Prince with 14 points and 11 boards.
• Richard Hamilton 14 points and no ejections!
• No Brown, Hermann, Johnson or Bynum.
• FSN highlights by the quarter.
• 10 straight games with a Pistons Tech, no wonder Tayshaun is pissed.
• This is why Jason Maxiell should never have a DNP Coaches Decision.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• Though he played just 14 minutes, it was all fire and baby eating. Jason had 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in short minutes. Watch this stretch of Maxiell greatness.
• No, I am not happy that they lost a 19 point lead, but as soon as it got to one they started to take over. Clearly this is a Pistons team we are not used to seeing, or maybe we are?
• Derrick Rose just 10 points in 23 minutes with foul trouble.
• Blaha and Kelser had a fantastic time with the way Stuckey was playing. The kid got whatever he wanted and made it look like butter.
• Five Pistons in double figures.
• 42 points in the paint for The Bulls and 42 for The Pistons.
• Forget the fact that his stat line was 40 points on 15-for-24 shooting. His defense was great, he managed to rack up 4 steals and grabbed 2 boards with 4 assists.
• Did I mention he was responsible for the play of the game? But that’s a given.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• A few Stucktacular Highlights.
• Weird to see Lindsey Hunter in a Bulls uniform with a clean shaven head.
• 15 turnovers for the Bulls to Detroit’s 9.
• Allen Iverson just 24 minutes after he went down with sore left groin. He still managed 8 assists and 5 points. Take note of the behind the back pass to Afflalo in the Maxiell highlights. This could be Iverson’s first game as a pro that he did not score a field goal, all of his points came from the line. Ryan in the comments “By the way, on ESPN, it said that on April 2nd, 1999, AI went 0 for 7. He played 12 minutes that game after a feud with Larry Brown”
• Iverson is listed as day to day, but I can almost guarantee he plays on Friday. It’s just how he rolls.
• Another solid outing from Arron Afflalo
• The Pistons shot 42% from the floor to The Bulls 47%
• On their way…outrebounded by just 2. The Bulls pulled down 46, the Pistons 44.
• 7 games as a starter and shooting 60%….Rodney Stuckey’s Post Game Interview. He keeps playing like this and he is going to be an All Star.
• This is one of those performances that you just have to watch again. Great way to start off a Holiday!

Detroit went into the Garden and ran off a 13-2 lead on the Celtics, but Boston bounced right back to tie the game at 21. A false hope of optimism for Pistons fans in reality turned into a stomping (again) by the Celtics, who made Detroit look almost silly by the third quarter. The Celtics took this one by 18, but the 98-80 victory didn’t do the Celtics’ domination justice; it looked like a 30 point plus blowout.

Key Points:

• From Domination (Cle) to Disheartening in one day.
• It was collectively a bad game from everyone. Nobody on the team besides Iverson (5-13) took more than 10 shots.
• The whole team looked miserable, by the second half nobody even looked like they wanted to be on court. From the looks of it they gave up after they headed to the locker room
• Think Rondo gave Billups trouble? He blew by Iverson all night long…
• 16 turnovers that translated into Boston buckets.
• Boston has now embarrassed Detroit to the point that they should be ashamed. Right now it’s clear that they truly are a better team all the way around. The ball movement alone was textbook. And their defense… stellar.

Photo/Getty

• “Oh yeah, definitely,” Richard Hamilton said when asked if the score was an indication of how far the Pistons are from the Celtics’ level. “We’ve got to be a lot better. We lost to them two times by 20 points — that’s absolutely bananas. We don’t play like that.” Via The Detroit News
• Out muscled and out hustled all night long.
• There is really not much more to say, it was bad enough to be at the Palace when Boston stomped on them. We chalked that up to Iverson being new to the team. He still is, but this was just awful. Do we gauge the team on these two losses to Boston? Right now we do, they are the team to beat and if Detroit didn’t know that before then shame on them.
• I miss these…

• A little Will Bynum dunk to maybe put a smile on your face.

• I promise you if I would have seen a little more “want” on their faces it wouldn’t be that bad. The looks could kill last night and the whole country saw them.
• Herrmann was in the Hospital?
• We need Dyess more than ever.
• PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION – I am going to do whatever it takes to get as many signatures as I can and get this thing in the right hands. PLEASE pass on the link to anyone you know that will sign it. Let’s give Dyess some Love.
• Direct link if you want to copy and paste it -  http://need4sheed.com/2008/11/antionio-mcdyess-please-come-home-petition.html

The Cavaliers came into the Palace with an eight game winning streak and left the building needing to start a new one. The first half was all Cavs, Mo Williams was knocking down shots, LeBron was driving the lane and Cleveland was getting to the line. Things changed in the second half when Detroit’s defense locked down and fueled the Pistons’ comeback 96-89 win.

Key Points:

• Big crowd at the Palace but no matter how many people are sitting in the seats, they still aren’t really into the game like they used to be. I don’t think it’s as daunting a building for opposing players as it once was. You have to pull teeth to get a DEFENSE chant going in that place.
• Hard to see the shell that is Ben Wallace in a Cavs uniform. I still appreciate the man and what he did for the franchise. It may be me, but he just doesn’t look like he’s having a good time on court anymore.
• Each team’s biggest lead was 13.
• Best stat of the night, Detroit held Cleveland to just 22 points in the paint. Not only good in general, but to do that to a team that has LeBron on it….fantastic.
• “That was our emphasis,” coach Michael Curry said. “We want to keep them out of the paint and make sure we rebound. We fought and we scrambled and we finally found a lineup in the fourth quarter that enabled us to finish the game.” Via The Detroit News
• Arron Afflalo was a game changer, as he has been recently. He popped in the game off the bench and hit a HUGE shot seconds after stepping on the court for the first time. He was out there at the end of the game when the game was on the line while Rip sat and really did well defending LeBron. He finished with 5 points in 13 minutes and assisted on this play that brought the Palace to their feet.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• This was the play of the game, here is the full clip of the Afflalo to Maxiell Alley Oop.
• More minutes for Maxiell, who played 19. He put up 6 with 3 boards.
• Rip Hamilton, who really did keep Detroit going early in the game, didn’t play the fourth quarter. He was 6-for-11 for 15 points, 5 assists and a steal. Rip is getting used to the new looks he’s getting now and seems to be adjusting better.
• I’m a kindhearted person, or at least I think I am.  I saw a family of LeBrons walking out of the Palace with their heads held low. While walking to their car the father (in his LeBron jersey and Cavalier jacket) slipped on a patch of ice and wiped out. It left me laughing and smiling the whole ride home, does that make me evil or just a Pistons fan? Just remember before you judge me that they are smug bastards when they win.
• Did I mention Afflalo got 2 huge stops on LeBron as the Pistons went on a 13 to 2 run in the fourth quarter?
• Allen Iverson led Detroit with 23 in 43 minutes. When Detroit needs scoring they know where to go. It’s really like a highlight reel every game. We are not used to that here, but I think the fans are getting acclimated just fine.

Photo/Getty

• Is this a new Rasheed Wallace? It sure seems like his game turned right around since the trade. Another double-double for Sheed who scored 21 on 8-for-12 shooting with 15 boards and 3 three pointers that essentially sealed the deal for Detroit. Sheed is on his game and loving it.
• Season high 15 sheedbounds for Ra.
• Sheedtasic Highlights of The Game.
• Pow!

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• NBA.com highlights of the game.
• It was the fourth quarter lineup of Iverson, Stuckey, Afflalo, Wallace and Maxiell that really did the Cavs in. Tayshaun played just a few late fourth quarter minutes.
• “I was going to bring Rip back in and eventually use Tay at the four (power forward),” Curry said. “But that group got to rolling.” Via The Detroit News
• The Pistons did a nice job on LeBron who scored 25 by putting up 21 shots.
• Stuckey played 23 impressive minutes, putting up 9 points. He is impressing me with his shot selection and guts. Seven of his nine points came in the fourth quarter.
• No Herrmann, minimal Bynum.
• Amirzing.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• Board war lost 38-35.
• Detroit shot 50% on the night.
• Detroit barley made it to the free throw line in the first half. Different story in the second.
• 44 points in the paint for Detroit. When that number is in the 40’s it’s usually a W.
• Rasheed plays better after his first Tech and didn’t know it. Via DBB and Alana
• Impressive victories over LA and now the Cavs, can they get one in Boston tonight?
• “We are just playing,” Wallace said of the wins over the Cavs and Lakers. “We don’t care if they’re the best team in the NBA. We are just trying to make ourselves better.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• This win was so refreshing I watched it in full when I got back from the Palace.

The more they play the more the new-look Detroit Pistons look like a cohesive unit. It wasn’t pretty at times in Golden State, but The Pistons prevailed late last night with a 107-102 win over the Warriors.

Key Points:

• Kwame Brown started in place of Amir Johnson and it may become a bit more permanent. Curry wants to throw a big body out there in the next few games when Detroit will be facing big centers. I’m cringing now as to what Brown will have to face (Andrew Bynum and Laker fans) tonight against the Lakers. It’s going to be brutal.
• “I am glad this has happened,” Brown said. “I love playing with ‘Sheed in the starting lineup. I think (the coaches) noticed last game that with me ducking in (toward the basket), it was getting guys open corner 3-pointers. But they brought me in here to play defense, run the court and rebound. That’s what I am going to try and do.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• Detroit started this game allowing Golden State to get pretty much anything they wanted down low. That changed in the second half as Detroit not only shut down the lanes but dominated them, finishing with  50 points down low for the game.
• Will Bynum is killing it out there. The punch of Will and Iverson on the floor with Arron Afflalo sped this team up like I had never thought possible. Fearless Will scored 6 points in 11 minutes and continues to impress the Pistons fan base as well as the TNT broadcasters.
• Five Pistons in double figures as well as five Warriors.
• Detroit didn’t need Tayshaun to put up a ton of points, but they did need his career-high rebounding night. Tay had a double-double with 10 points, 16 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot in a whopping 45 minutes on the floor.
• Curry isn’t shy to tell the viewing audience that Amir make a mistake so he got yanked. That was after Amir was subbed in for the first time and was quickly pulled 30 seconds later.
• Maxiell thunder dunk is always a pleasant sight, the one he missed before the dunk almost brought the building down. In 12 minutes Jason had 6 points and 4 boards. Love you Jason, but you got served on this play.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and TNT

• NBA Highlights of The Game.
• Chauncey is really lighting things up in Denver.
• Detroit’s biggest lead was 9, while Golden State led by as much as 12.
• 17 Detroit turnovers, that stat has to change. Luckily the Warriors handed the ball over 15 times.
• We sorely miss Antonio McDyess.
• TNT – Iverson, Rasheed Wallace Interview.
• One of the best games from Sheed in quite some time. Ninteen points on 8-for-15 shooting but it was his key defensive shot and his back to back threes late in the fourth that put the game away for Detroit. Another double-double for the SHEEDtastic one.

Photo/Getty

• We complained about Flip using the starters, well Iverson, Prince, Wallace and Hamilton logged 167 minutes.
• “Now I have to learn A.I. It’s like starting over,” Hamilton said. “With (Chauncey Billups ) at the beginning, at least we had a training camp. With A.I., we have to learn on the fly.” Via The Detroit News
• Fourth quarter tech for Mr. Wallace.
• Out-rebounded 49-51.
• Rip got his touch back leading Detroit with 24 points. It took him most of the game to get in a rhythm, but it was so great to see his shots falling. As soon as plays start getting run for him and he’s coming off screens things will get much better for Rip, who seems to be standing around a lot on the offensive end.

Photo/Getty

• Walter Herman got some time but he picked up three quick fouls in his 2 minutes and 45 seconds on the floor and didn’t return.
• Allen Iverson put up 23 and had some “Iverson” moments.

• “That really hurt my feelings, that tip,” Wallace said. “You can’t let that frustrate you. I missed two point-blank foul shots. I’m upset at myself about that. You can’t let that one thing get you down. That’s what we did, just dug deep and came up with some stops down the stretch.” Via Yahoo.com Steve made sure we didn’t miss that quote.
• HUGE night for Arron Afflalo who seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Great defensively but his key layups in the third and fourth brought Detroit back to life again. Afflalo scored 11 and was out there when it counted in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and TNT

• Detroit shot 45% on the night.
• Important to get this one, especially after the slow start again. It’s going to be a tough one tonight against the Lakers but it with Rodney Stuckey on the floor again things should be a bit better. Although I’m loving Will Bynum.
• Again….Must read Chauncey Billups interview.
• Sheed’s New Tattoo…Thanks to Alana for sending us the Link ASAP!

Allen Iverson didn’t get to suit up for Detroit but it didn’t matter. Tayshaun Prince caught fire in the second quarter allowing Detroit to mount a 16 point lead against the Raptors. Unfortunately for Detroit, Toronto went on a run early in the fourth and cut Detroit’s lead to just one. The Raptors kept it tight until the final minute in Detroit’s 100-93 victory at the Air Canada center keeping their record perfect at 4-0.

Key Points:

• Nice statistic: Detroit held the Raptors to ZERO fast break points. Great holding a team like that who likes to run.
• The not so usual suspects are really coming up strong for Detroit. Maxiell, Herrmann, and Bynum did the little things for Detroit off the bench.
• Chris Bosh had a monster game with 26 points, but he needed 24 attempts to do it.
• Two impressive blocked shots from Jason Maxiell who finished the game with 6 points and 5 boards in 20 minutes.
• Tayshaun really stepped up leading all scorers with 27 points on 10 for 13 shooting. Now that’s catching fire. Add 9 boards, 3 assists, a takeaway and 2 blocked shots, one coming in the closing minute of the game that clinched Detroit’s victory.

Photo/Getty Images

• WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
• Dyess is still mad at Denver, “Sources emphasized a key reason Antonio McDyess, acquired from Detroit in Monday’s big deal, doesn’t want to play for Denver is he’s still bitter at perceived mistreatment regarding his June 2002 trade from the Nuggets to New York.” Via Rocky Mountain News
• Just 5 turnovers for Detroit.
• Board war won 43-38.
• Every team seems to think they are going to land Dyess if he gets his buyout. I’m hearing Cleveland, San Antonio and Boston rumors.
• Detroit’s fast break points 11….I say that number gets bigger with AI in the lineup.
• NBA.com Highlights of the game.
• Prince is always good for a nice dunk.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN Detroit

• A stat that we all worry about from the Pistons is looking very good so far this season. Forty six points in the paint from Detroit, just soak it in.
• Each team shot 45% from the floor.
• I know it’s not just me thinking even though Iverson hasn’t hit the floor for Detroit yet this team has gotten exciting to watch.
• So impressed with what Stuckey is doing so far this season. He looks like a vet out there sometimes and the kid is fearless. Rodney put up 14 points with 5 assists in 30 minutes with just one turnover.
• Seriously sweet pass that was good enough to be the play of the day, courtesy of Monday night’s star Will Bynum.
• Another double-double for Sheed who’s been stepping up since the season began. Though he had some trouble knocking down his shot going 4-12, he still put up 11 with 12 boards.

Photo/Getty Images

• Will Bynum has shined in the last two games and don’t think Pistons fans haven’t noticed. The guy has already put out  some nice highlights for us. Will put up 5 points on 3-for-4 shooting with 2 assists and 2 turns. And boy can he drive the lane.
• Dime breaks down the trade.
• Curry pulled Afflalo when he wasn’t playing well and inserted Acker into the lineup. It’s evident that MC isn’t afraid to pull anyone. “Arron Afflalo made some mistakes, and Alex Acker backs up Arron Afflalo, so Alex Acker was in the game,” Curry said. “We’re still going to give guys off the bench an opportunity to play, not just give the starters a rest. They deserve an opportunity to play.” Via MLive
• Billups Billboards are on the way in Denver.
• Kwame Brown is doing just what he was brought here to do.
• Dumars wants to keep Iverson around for a while?
• Second best assist of the night, Sheed to Rico Suave.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN Detroit

• Amir still having trouble with fouls, but he put up 6 on 3-for-4 shooting. Leave him open and he’s going to hit the open jumper.
• An emotional goodbye.
• Coaches will have to be in uniform?
• Pistons get a Superstar and get bumped up to National TV. Detroit’s game against Golden State on Nov. 13 now will be televised on TNT. However,
• Rasheed Wallace doesn’t think it’ll take Iverson too long to get up to speed.“We’re not running rocket science plays here,” Wallace said. Via MLive and Hat Tip to Mike in the comments

Rookie head coach Michael Curry started the Pistons off with a win in a different manner than we are used to seeing. Coach Curry utilized his bench early and often playing 11 Pistons, eight of which put up points in the first half alone. Detroit started slow but once they took the lead early in the first half they remained in the drivers seat the rest of the way to a 100-94 win over The Pacers.

Key Points:

• The Palace renovations look great and considering that building is one of the oldest now in the NBA, it’s still one of the best.
• Very quiet crowd considering it was opening night.
• I don’t know if it was shown on the broadcast, but right before the tip Rasheed took the microphone to center court and thanked the crowd for coming out, especially during the hard economic times and reassured Pistons fans that they (the team) were out to prove something.
• The starters looked a bit rusty to start off the game but as soon as Curry started utilizing the bench Detroit made their push.
• Rip and Chauncey each shot 5-for-13.
• Four Pistons scored in double figures, and 10 played at least 13 minutes. Now that would never have happened last season under Flip.
• Rasheed has not shaken his pre-season shooting woes. He went 4-for-11 for 9 points but his defense was just fine. Sheed grabbed 7 boards, had 2 steals, a blocked shot and added 2 assists.
• Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting in 32 minutes on the floor. The jumpers weren’t going down to start but the dunks brought life to the crowd and the team.

• 14 turnovers for Detroit isn’t the norm but they really took advantage of Indiana’s 21.
• Rebound war won 41 to 38. It was nice to see them grab 14 offensive boards. I love that way Amir keeps the ball alive down low.
• Detroit shot 44% for the night to the Pacers 49.
• Lesson Learned – Leave Amir open and he’ll knock down a 20 footer.
• “It all started with preseason, when I was already shooting a couple of jumpers,” Johnson said. “I’m very confident in my jump shot. We work on it every day and I’m just going to keep shooting if I’m open.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• Great to see the Amir get introduced by Mason in the Starting Lineup.
  In my opinion Walter Herrmann AKA Rico Suave was the key off the bench for Detroit. Herrmann sank a couple of key three pointers in the second to help the Pistons take control of the game. He finished with 10 points and the best two came on this circus shot late in the fourth.

Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons, The NBA and FSN Detroit

• “Walter Herrmann came in and he’s shown everyone he’s a guy who can come in and give Tayshaun (Prince) a break,” Curry said. “He’s (Herrmann) a very capable player in this league. He’s an experienced guy.” “I was waiting for this opportunity,” said Herrmann, who saw limited playing time last season when arrived in a midseason trade from Charlotte. “This season maybe I can play more minutes. Michael Curry told me when I come to the court I have to play hard. That’s it. ” Via The Detroit News
• NBA.Com Highlights of the Game
• How did Danny Granger put up 33 points on Detroit, who was wasn’t guarding him? The kid couldn’t miss, I almost thought it was a mistake when I looked up at the scoreboard and noticed he had 30 late in the fourth.
• Come on people, I know there is traffic but there is no reason to leave the game with 6 minutes left when it’s pretty close. The building was almost empty when I left, and I always stay till the final buzzer sounds.
• The new look Pacers really like to run the floor, it made for a different looking Pistons approach that I’m not used to seeing from this team.
• You always miss things when your’re at the game but Team Need4Sheed Captain (Steve) made sure to text message me that one of the refs called Indiana’s coach “old man”. That’s the beauty of high quality microphones.
• Dyess just didn’t look like himself to start the game but eventually got into the groove. He put up 8 points with 5 boards. The thing about McDyess is….it seems like if he doesn’t make his first couple of shots to start the game he struggles. When he knocks down the first one, watch out!
• Scary isn’t it….Amir and Sheed down low. Did I mention Amir blocked 3 shots on the night?

• Solid effort for Arron Afflalo who had 5 points and 3 takeaways in 13 minutes.
• Stuckey looked solid and had a couple of nice cuts to the basket for layups.  Eight points with four assists in 16 minutes is a nice way to start the season. I do get a little scared when he drives the lane in traffic with no hesitation, reminds me a little too much of Wade (and his injuries).
• The Spare Tires dressed in appropriate gear passed out candy to the crowd and did one heck of a Thriller dance during one of the breaks in action.
• My goodness was it just me or was the officiating a little off? I know Detroit took too many jumpers but the foul discrepancy was big. Detroit had 16 chances at the line to Indiana’s 29. Jarret Jack slipped and fell and they called a foul on Prince.
• Chauncey’s three pointer with three minutes left was the nail.
• Either the Pacers are better than I expected or Detroit wasn’t quite on their game last night.
• Have to agree with Dave Dial on this one.
• For those of you in the chat room last night during the game I’m anxious to know how it worked out.
• Many of you asked, so I just want you to know that the November Pistons Schedule wallpaper will be up tomorrow.

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.