In what looked like a replay of Tuesday night’s game in Los Angeles, the Motown Sound was reduced to a whisper and a 20 point deficit after three quarters, then after a furious late rally (which cut the lead to one) fell short to the Blazers in Portland 87-81. Rodney Stuckey led the team with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and, 5 assists but shot a horrible 6-21. Charlie V seemed poised to erase his nightmare performance against the Lakers but picked up 2 quick fouls in first quarter. The Pistons will have two days off before continuing the trip in Utah on Saturday night.

Key points of the game:

• The Blazers led by 4 after one, then 10 at the half, before stretching it to 20 after 3.
• The Pistons used all three rookies in the fourth to mount the furious comeback which included a 10-0 run and outscored Portland 31-17.
• With the Blazers leading 78-77 with over a minute to go, the Pistons couldn’t secure a rebound which landed in Steve Blake’s hands. He would later in the possession hit a three to put the Blazers up 81-77, which put the Detroiters to bed.
• Someone tell Rodney Stuckey that he doesn’t have to force the action for himself all the time. It’ll be nice to set table for others every now and then.

Photo/Getty Images

• Pistons used a “tall ball” line-up to make the Blazers sweat this one out.
• Ben Wallace had a quiet 12 rebounds.
• I’m starting to come around to the thought that maybe the offense is better with Bynum on the floor.
• Charlie V scored 20 points, including a huge three and layup late to cut the lead to one, despite picking up some cheap fouls early. However, he could’ve kept that turn and fade-a-way three point attempt with 10 seconds.
• Hey another DaJuan Summers sighting!
• The Blazers got 20 apiece from stars Brandon Roy and LeMarcus Aldridge.
• Michigan Wolverines Fab Fiver Juwan Howard is still in the league?? Wow. Dude is just stealing money now. I wonder if Mike Peplowski, Orlando Woolridge, or Rafael Addison are available.
• Jay-Z made a song titled: Death to Auto tune, I proposed one: Death of Small Ball.
• Charlie V put up 20 with 3 boards in 16 minutes.

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• The three guard lineup of Stuckey, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum leaves the team with defensive deficiencies.
• Late in the game the team implored a full-court trap that yielded positive results.
• Austin Daye made a nice contribution with his shooting and defense late.
• I swear Greg Oden looks like Lebron James’ older uncle. Anyhow the future career solid starter had 6 points, 10 boards, and 3 blocks.
• When’s Rip coming back?
• Pistons resume action Saturday night in Utah where they haven’t won since I was a natural blond (kidding but it’s been a long time).

Highlights of the Game Via NBA.com

The 5-6 Pistons are in Portland to take on the 8-4 Trail Blazers.  The Trail Blazers will  look to rebound from their first loss in seven games  tonight when they face Detroit who will try to avoid its first three game losing streak of the season.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 10:00 pm EST and will be televised on FOX Sports PLUS (that’s a programming change so take note). For the radio broadcast tune into 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action on NBA.com.

For those of you who missed the chat room, it’s back! You can again talk Pistons during the games.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

The 5-5 Pistons are in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers to start a very difficult stretch of games. The reigning NBA Champions are 7-and-3 on the season and will look to bounce back on their home court to avoid their first three game losing streak in nearly two years.

Stuckey is good to go, but still no word on Rip

The Lakers game, plus Tayshaun talks about him making the road trip out West with Detroit  via Pistons.com

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

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

The boys also answered some of your questions and comments you left for them last week. Best of all we have a few new unbelievable sponsors!

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

Team Need4Sheed Podcast – Top Five Front Court Players

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The 5-4 Pistons take on another old coach today at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  The Pistons face their third consecutive former head coach this evening when Rick Carlisle brings his 6-3 Mavericks into town for their only visit this season to Detroit.

Dallas has won four of the teams’ last five meetings, so this one wont be easy.

Still no word on Rip, but he’s got a thing or two to say about what Detroit has done without him in the lineup. Thankfully Ben Gordon is making us miss him less than we thought we would.

Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 6:00 and will be televised on FOX Sports in HD.   For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

The 4-4 Pistons take on Flip Saunders’ 2-6 The Wizards in Washington.  This will be the first time that Flip will face the Pistons since his termination in 2008.

As for tonight’s matchup:

“Arenas played even though he’s battling a calf injury. Wizards guard Randy Foye sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and his status is uncertain.

Washington is also without starting forward Antawn Jamison (shoulder) and guards Mike James (finger), Javarris Crittenton (foot).

“We just need some rest time,” Saunders said. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve lost three point guards.” Via NBA.com

Still no word on Rip, but we do have Will! (I have now watched those dunks well over 100 times, something is wrong with me)

Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:00 and will be televised on FOX Sports Plus (FSN PLUS).. for the Channel numbers in your area please click here. For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

Larry Brown and the 3-4 Charlotte Bobcats are in town to take on The Pistons tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Kuester to meet up with his old friend tonight:

“Coach Brown has meant so much to my life,” Kuester said after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s been very special, not only to me, but my family.

“I’m very appreciative of everything he’s done for me. I’m looking forward to seeing him.”

Kuester was a part of the staff in 2004 and comes from the same coaching tree started by former legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith.

Besides being a close friend to Kuester and his family, Brown was a cheerleader in getting the longtime NBA assistant an opportunity to lead a team. And the lessons he learned under Brown — attention to detail during practice and improving players — are things that Kuester tries to apply every day. Via The Detroit Free Press

Still nothing new on the status of Richard Hamilton.

Scott Perry with the Bobcats scouting report from Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:30 and will be televised on FOX Sports Plus (FSN PLUS).. for the Channel numbers in your area please click here. For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

Key Points:

• Ben Wallace had an amazing 16 boards on the night, 11 of them coming in the first half, which is a Pistons record.  Either he loves being back in Detroit, or Arnie has got some secret anti-aging fountain of youth voodoo drink concoction he’s giving him.  If it’s the later….I’ll take some please.
• “I knew Ben would be an asset talking to our bigs,” head coach John Kuester said. “I never imagined the impact he would have playing. Right now, he looks like the old Ben. He’s leading by example” Via NBA.com
• An impressive 51 rebounds for the Pistons.  I attended the matinee and all I kept thinking was, boy are they ever gobbling up boards -- especially on the offense (21).  I had no idea the number would add up like that.
• Did I mention Mr. Wallace also blocked 3 shots and added 3 steals!
• SWEDEtastic!

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Is Jonas Jerebko making good of  his time on court of what?  This kid is pure hustle who knows a golden opportunity when he sees it. Jerebko scored 10 on 5-for-10 shooting, with 5 boards in 22 minutes. The putback jam was tops, but all his highlights are solid.

• More minutes for Jason Maxiell who scored just 2 with 2 boards in 20 minutes on the floor.
• Iguodala got hot quickly for the Sixers and led all scorers with 24.  It’s usually Tay who plays him tough, so he had an easier time Sunday afternoon.
• Boy is Charlie Villanueva starting to warm up. It looked like the Pistons tried to draw plays for him in the first quarter to help him get off to the right start early in the game. CV31 finished with 16 points , 5 boards and a blocked shot in 27 minutes on the floor and was showing some sweet moves in the post all weekend long.
• All Daye long…Nice spin move from Austin in the post after a dish from Bynum.  Daye, who’s also making the best of an awful situation (T-Prince’s injury) scored 7 points in 14 minutes on the floor.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Fourteen assists for the Pistons.
• Though Detroit led most of the game, they let the Sixers take the lead in the fourth quarter, but went on a 16-6 tear to finish the game.
• DNP for Wilcox who’s not living up to (my) expectations.
• Great job by Stuckey holding Iguodala to 1-4 shooting in the fourth quarter.  Rodney finished the game with 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting, 5 boards, 3 assists and a steal
• BYNUMITE stats of the night 8-8-8 ! Boards, assists and points. Not to mention the sweet dish on NBA.com.  I have a soft spot for Mr. Bymum and cross-court bounce passes.

Photo/Getty Images

• My apologies to Will for starting this whole BYMUMITE thing…it seems to have really taken on it’s own life. Not only was it on Pistons.com, but I’ve heard it on the radio broadcasts a few times now. Sorry “Will the Thrill”.
• What’s more of a surprise, Pistons fans:
  The play of the rookies, Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko?
  Ben Wallace?
  Or AI’s mess in Memphis?
• 42 points in the paint, that’s a great stat for Pistons team that has struggled in that department.
• Can we please talk about Kwame Brown. I have said it before, this guy really puts in the effort. He may not put up 20 a night but he’s doing just what he came here to do. We need him to produce and hustle and he’s doing just that. He finished with 7 points, 8 boards and a steal in 18 minutes. Give the guy some credit please.
• Ben on Ben: “Seems like he’s at home here in Detroit,” Gordon said. “Playing for (Chicago and Cleveland) the last few years, it never seemed like he was at home. You can tell Big Ben is definitely at home here.” Via NBA.com

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• Another stellar game from Ben Gordon.  I think he’s definitely showing management and fans that he was well worth his contract. Once again BG led the Pistons with 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting with 2 boards, 2 assists and a steal. The highlights are mounting and the Pistons have only played seven games.

• Great day for an afternoon game in Michigan and it was nice to walk out of the Palace drenched in Sunshine and a Win!

I care not to remember the Pistons 4-12 record on Sunday’s from last season.  A win tomorrow without Rip and Tay on Sunday would do wonders for Detroit.

Tip off is at 1:00 PM and will televised on Fox Sports.  If you can’t catch the matinee on TV, listen live on 950 AM WWJ or follow the game over at NBA.com.

Key points:

• Though the crowd was sparse at the Palace, the Pistons had the crowd rocking from tip to buzzer.
• 17 minutes from Superman, who finally fouled out on in the fourth on a Bynumite drive.
• 63 combined points from Gordan, Stuckey and Bynum.
• When did white chocolate land in Orlando?
• Jonas Jerebko who became the first Swedish born player to start and NBA took Tayshaun Prince’s spot in the lineup.  Jerebko was 0-for-5 but grabbed 5 boards and was hustling all night long.
• Things got scrappy in the second half when both teams got physical with their fouls.  Could it have started with the Stuckey throw down on Dwight that sent him to the locker room? Possibly, but how can 50 Cent hurt Superman…really.  Hard fouls back and fourth, especially one  from Jameer Nelson on Will Bynum. Even J.J. Reddick got into the mix.
• If your counting that’s 4 straight wins against the Magic.
• It’s getting a little better for Charlie V. Villanueva scored 12 with an assist and grabbed 8 boards.  He’s looking like he’s really getting used to Detroit Basketball.
• First NBA points  for Austin Daye in his 4 minutes on court.
• Prince will be sidelined for at least three games before his status is re-evaluated this weekend.
• I can’t tell you how many times we are going to hear “Rip and Tay or just Tay or just Rip…..should be traded”  just stop now. It’s one game and we are 4 games into the season.
• Great night for Rodney who was one rebound shy of a double-double. Stuck put up 20 points with 9 boards, 3 assists and a steal.

Photo/Getty Images

• Don’t worry about Rodneys’ assists… though the ball movement was ok at times, the Pistons only had 8 total all game.  Will this team have assist issues all season long…probably not.
• Ok, I did read this stat right: Orlando was 10-for-35 from three point land… that’s a ton of threes.  Meanwhile the Pistons were 0-for-6 on the night.
• No play at all for Jason Maxiell, is he in the doghouse with Kuester too?
• By far win or lose and despite the absence of Rip and Tay, this was the best the Pistons have played in a long, long time.  I’m talking current or past lineup.  Hard fought, gritty basketball was the key and Detroit did everything they had to do to pull it out.
• On a night that I thought the bigs would have had to step up, it was the guards who had big nights.  They not only put up big numbers, they got the Magic in foul trouble.
• Ben Gordon was great again, leading the team with 23 points, 5 boards, 3 assists  and a steal.  He’s stepping up and taking doing what he’s got to do when the Pistons need buckets.  And guess what …he makes ‘em. He was 6-for-10 from the floor and 11-for-11 from the line.

Photo/Getty Images

• Eight total points from the Piston Bigs on the night.
• Pistons went to the line 38 times and made 31 to Orlando’s 12-for-16 from the line. Thank the Pistons guards for driving the lane all night long.
• Great play from Ben Wallace again, who scored just 2 but grabbed 10 boards with 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. Best of all he was fired up…just like old times.
• I have to say I really like Dwight Howard, but he’s defiantly one of those players who’s face always looks like he never committed a foul in his life.
• Orlando led 41-38 at the half but the Pistons (finally with a good third quarter) made a game of it the rest of the way.
• I am not kidding you when I tell you the last few minutes of the game was electrifying at the Palace. When it was clear that we were going to pull it out I was simply WOWed.
• Not only did Bynum come back, he drove the lane hard on Dwight, sacrificing his already bruised body (eye) and forced Howard to foul out.  With his 20 points on the night he clearly was the player of the game, especially what he had to do to get it.  His basket in the closing minute was the dagger.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Crazy hand for Will Bynum who came back from a horrible poke in the eye from Gortat. He looked like he wasn’t even going to be able to stand up at first, let alone come back in the game. And looking at the replay when I returned from the game it was worse than on Palace Vision. That’s what I call Superman!
• Oh, and was that a tackle on Will, Jameer?

Photo/Getty Images

• Rebound war won 44-41.
• Great win, things came together and the team gave Pistons fans something to cheer about.
• Thanks go out to my Twitter followers who (in a matter of seconds) let me know why Tayshaun didn’t start last night and what exactly happened to Will Bynum when he went down.  Love going to the games, but when you have no idea what Blaha and Kelser are saying it can be frustrating.  I know you have my back, so thanks.
• Highlights from the game