The 23-43 Pistons are in Boston tonight to take on Rasheed Wallace and the 41-24 Celtics. I realize the Pistons aren’t the team they used to be, but this particular opening sentence to the NBA.com preview of the game sort of made me mad.

“It was a rough week for the Boston Celtics. A visit from the lowly Detroit Pistons to open a brief home stretch could help them get back on track.” Via NBA.com

Lowly….really? We aren’t New Jersey just yet.

Ben Wallace is still listed as day to day and as we know Rodney has no timetable on his return.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 8:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on ESPN with the radio broadcast over at 950 AM WWJ or follow the action online over at NBA.com.

UPDATE

We had to Cancel Celtics Late Night Show tonight.  Sorry I won’t be able to take your calls after the game but I am sure we’ll do it again soon.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

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.

The 15-29 Pistons will host the 23-22 Miami Heat at the Palace tonight.

“Micheal Beasley will be a game-time decision Friday after he hyperextended his right knee in the first quarter of a 111-103 loss at Toronto on Wednesday.

This is the first of three meetings between these teams this season. Wade, averaging 31.5 points on 57.5 percent shooting in his last four contests, had 39 in the teams’ last matchup at The Palace of Auburn Hills last season, helping the Heat snap a six-game road losing streak in the series.” Via NBA.com

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Injury Report:
Ben Gordon is a game time decision and still no word on the progress of Will Bynum. Gordon may not play, but he will be at Meijer to sign an autograph or two on Saturday.

Tip is at 8:00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to WWJ 950 AM or follow the action over at NBA.com.

I will have some special guests with me at the game. Keep an eye out for some game time tweeting, as well as some HD  Flip Video later.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

I have 2 Suite Tickets I’m giving away compliments of The Detroit Pistons, the catch?  You have to watch the game with me and a few other members of Team Need4Sheed, some of them from across the ocean.

There are 2 ways to Enter

Email me at need4sheed@gmail.com With the Subject line -SUITE TICKETS

Your full Name, age and Email address

OR

You Must Follow me on Twitter (@Need4Sheed_com) and Tweet this message:

Need4Sheed Suite Tickets @Need4Sheed_com #Suitetastic

The only thing I ask is you must be 18 years of age to win the tickets or you must have an adult accompany you.
Good Luck, I’m picking the winner at Random so everyone has a really good shot at this one.  I’ll contact the Winner before noon tomorrow!

The 14-26 Pistons are hosting Rasheed Wallace and the 27-12 Boston Celtics tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

For those of you who aren’t in the know about the Celtics, they will play a 10th straight game without Kevin Gartett when Wallace take court in Green for the first time at The Palace.

Ben Wallace on Sheed via The Detroit Free Press

“He’ll get some cheers, and he’ll get some boos. It’ll make for some exciting basketball, since he’s one of those guys who had never fouled anyone since he has been in the league.

“He leads by example. He’s always telling guys where they need to be, making sure everyone is on the right page and always talking; letting you know where the help is coming from and where to send your man so you can get help. I think Boston is a great fit for him.”

Injury Report:

No Will Bynum, but it’s possible we see Ben Gordon and Tayshaun Prince.

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.

It’s going to be a pretty exciting night for me, I have Rasheed’s Return, a new Pistons themed Flip Video and I get to meet @grantiscool a Pistons fan who traveled all the way from Australia to finally take a game in at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Not only will this be Grant’s first Pistons game, it will be the first time he’s been to an NBA game.  Just goes to show you that you don’t have to be form the D to truly be a Pistons fan.

I’m sure I’ll have a tweet or two in me, and you can bet Im going to do my best to get you some video.  And don’t even ask, there will be nothing but cheers from me when I see Sheed.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

The 11-18 Pistons are in Toronto to take on the  14-17  Raptors for the second game of a home and home.  The Pistons would like to erase the memory of the miserable game they played on Thursday night in which the Raptors held them to tie their lowest point total as a franchise.
This early afternoon game should bring hope for the Holiday season.  All signs point to Detroit being at full strength for just the second time since the opening game of the season.

Detroit’s injured, including Tayshaun Prince, are game day decisions.

FYI.. If  and when Tayshaun plays, he will start and our Swede will take the roll of backup.

UPDATE

Starting Linup:

Stuckey
Rip
Tayshaun
Jerebko
Wallace

Even Charlie V was excited about getting his teammates back:

Santa was good too me, i told him I wanted Tayshaun, RIP and BG back in a Piston uniform, my was has been granted. Via @CV31

They also got a new Roundballl to comfort themselves on their travels.
The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 1:00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 950 AM , or follow the action over at NBA.com.

It’s time for a W Pistons fans.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

Thanks to the great contest sponsored by  viagogo (http://www.viagogo.com/), two Pistons fans are very lucky right now.

It was easy to win, and these Pistons fans did.

@TheMaestro11

@amcnally03

Get to pick from these Pistons home games to sit in some really choice lower level seats.

• Pistons vs Raptors 12/23
• Pistons vs Knicks 12/29
• Pistons vs Bulls 12/31
• Pistons vs 76ers 1/9
• Pistons vs Hornets 1/15

I hope the two of you and your guest enjoy the game you choose.

Thanks go out to  viagogo, who not only give away great tickets, they have great deals on them.

And as a special extra bonus to thank everyone for participating viagogo  is giving NeedSheed readers an extra 10% off already discounted Pistons Tickets.

When ordering, just use coupon code Need4Sheed for your discount!

Key Points:

• The Pistons did a great job moving the ball, it was almost like the ghost of Larry Brown was in the building….three passes before they shoot.  The movement, from the bigs and the guards, made for easy shots all night long.
• A fired up Charlie Villanueva, who still doesn’t seem like he’s used to the mask, scored 18 points on 8-19 shooting with 5 assists, 4 boards in 36 minutes.  His four point play gave the Pistons a boost right when they needed it.
• Detroit did a better job with the turnovers, just 11 opposed to the 21 they had on Friday night.
• Another good night in the paint for Detroit with 38 points down low.
• Board war tied at 41.
• Great night for Detroit’s bench who outscored the starters 55-44.
• Earl Boykins always amazes me.  Guy can shoot and with his size I’m so surprised his shot doesn’t get blocked more.  He’s like a Micro Machine basketball player.
• Need4Swede: Jonas is putting up double-doubles and making circus shots…check it out.
• 
• Jerebko finished the game with 10 points, 11 boards, a steal and an assist in 38 minutes on the floor.  Plus a few more fans with every game he plays.  On another note, my SWEEEEEDE chant at games when he’s got the ball isn’t catching on just yet, can you please pass the word to whoever you know is going to the game or if you are yourself, please join me…people are looking at me like I think he’s Sheed.
• Jason Maxiell’s playing time is odd to me, one night he’s out there a ton and tonight he plays just 9 minutes.
• Out-blocked again…Pistons with just one block from Ben Wallace all night, while Washington bats the ball away 7 times.
• I wonder if we can get a stat on how many of Rodney Stuckey’s shots get blocked.  I bet quite a few less than they used to.

Photo/Getty Images

• As for Stuckey’s game against Washington, he was great.  Hot early and, had he not been in early foul trouble, he would have led the Pistons by more than just 25 points.  Stuck went 9-for-18 with 2 assists, 4 boards a steal, 3 turnovers and some clutch shots down the wire when the Wizards were gaining ground.
• Stucktaular Highlights via NBA.com
• 
• Ben Gordon played just 11 minutes scoring just 5.  He didn’t play in the second half, nursing his sore ankle on the bench.
• Say thank you to Austin Daye, who didn’t play in the first half and came out shooting in the second to help the Pistons get on track after leading by just three at the half.  Cool hand Daye finished with 11 points, shooting 100% from the field with 2 boards in just 12 minutes of play.

Photo/Getty Images

• Auststanding Highlights:
• 
• A bit of a slow night for Ben Wallace who didn’t score, but grabbed 8 boards with 5 assists.  Yes, five assists for our very own Defensive Machine.
• Ok, I know we all were like ….seriously, Joe Dumars just signed Chucky Atkins?  I eat my words, Atkins is really making the most of his time back in Detroit.  Chucky scored 7 with 5 assists in 22 minutes.  He gave the Pistons some life, scoring his points early when they couldn’t hit a shot no matter how hard they tried.
• Awful first few minutes of the game for both teams.
• Gotta love holding Gilbert Arenas to just 8 points.
• Highlights of the game via NBA.com
• 
• Mixed reaction by the crowd who really didn’t realize this was Flip Saunders’ return.
• Nice passing from Kwame Brown who scored 4 with 2 assists and 5 boards.
• What’s up with the Thrill, 3-for-12 shooting and he missed some key free throws that the Pistons really needed in the closing minute of the game. Bynum scored 16, but once again isn’t playing like we know he can.  I hope his ankle isn’t getting worse.
• Funny story, I overhead some guy tell his friend he was at the game with, “Chucky Atkins must have been really hurt, I haven’t seen him play a lot for us since we won the Championship.” His friend answered, “me neither.”
• Good win for Detroit, who play Allen Iverson in Philadelphia on Wednesday and Chauncey Billups on Thursday at the Palace.  That’s going to be something.
• Don’t forget, Need4Sheed and viagogo are giving Pistons tickets away!

“In partnership with viagogo (http://www.viagogo.com/), Need4Sheed is hosting a contest to give away a pair of tickets to two lucky Pistons fans!

THE RULES:
You must follow @Need4Sheed_com on Twitter as well as @viagogo_detroit .

Then Tweet this “contest Tweet” for your chance to win Pistons Tickets!

Contest: Win 2 Pistons tickets! FOLLOW @viagogo_detroit + @need4sheed_com & RT this msg to be eligible for this http://bit.ly/6ZzrYK

It’s that simple, you can even copy and past  the (red) tweet above and tweet away.  Enter as many times as you like,

Two randomly picked winners, will be announced Friday December 11th and will receive a pair of Section 101 tickets to a game of their choice below:

• Pistons vs  Raptors 12/23
• Pistons vs  Knicks 12/29
• Pistons vs  Bulls 12/31
• Pistons vs  76ers 1/9
• Pistons vs Hornets 1/15

If that’s not a contest down your alley I don’t know what is.  Tell your friends this is their chance to win some prime Pistons tickets courtesy of viagogo!