The Pistons made it eight straight Saturday night in the second game of a home-home against the Pacers. While it wasn’t the blowout it was on Friday night, Detroit locked down and did what they have been doing all season, they did what they had to do to win. Five Pistons were in double figures in the 98-92 victory in Indiana.
Key Points:
- The game was close throughout. This one was tied 12 times and the lead changed hands 10 times.
- The Pistons had a two-point lead with just under 2 minutes left in the game before outscoring the Pacers 7-3 to finish the game.
- Rasheed added another double-double to his stats for the season with 10 points and 10 boards along with 2 steals and 2 blocks, but it was his HUGE takeaway from Kareem Rush at the finish that really helped put the Pacers away.
- The piped in “defense” chant at Conseco Fieldhouse is not only weak, but that voice is out of a horror movie, it’s sure to give me nightmares.
- Another huge night for Richard Hamilton, who has consistently been leading Detroit offensively. Rip had 24 points, 2 assists and 3 boards in 39 minutes.
Photo/Getty Images
- Arron Afflalo’s minutes have drastically been cut since Stuckey has been getting more minutes. Afflalo played just 4 minutes in this close one.
- Jarvis Hayes was 3-for-4 for 7 quick points right when he entered the game in the first half.
- I would have been upset if Dunleavy didn’t get a flagrant for taking down Rip. From the side angle it looked pretty brutal.
- Steve reminded us in the comments: “As Mr. Blaha might say…Don’t look now but we’ve got an 8 1/2 game lead in the Central Division.”
- I forgot to mention the Santa brought me The Detroit Pistons Monopoly set. I am still a little hesitant to open it, but when I do I will get some pictures up for you. The box alone is awesome…it’s a side court picture of THE FIRE.
- Rebound war lost 38-44.
- The Pacers didn’t want Maxiell to get to the rim and fouled him almost every time he got near the paint. Maxiell had another strong performance with 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting and 4 boards. His little baseline jumper is now officially one of his weapons.
Photo/Getty Images
- Dyess struggled with his shot, but is still doing a heck of a job on D.
- NBA.com highlights from the game.
- 8 Piston turnovers to 14 from the Pacers. The surprise of the night was a Billups no look behind the back pass to Tayshaun Prince who wasn’t in the spot Chauncey thought he was in anymore. That uncharacteristic turnover with 26 seconds on the clock could have been costly.
- Huge hoop from Sheed with a second on the shot clock to make it 90-87 Pistons.
- I must say that Blaha’s enthusiasm on big plays gets me even more exited. That’s something I miss when I am at The Palace.
- Lefty layups from Chauncey in the clutch are becoming a regular thing. Chauncey finished with 17 points, 7 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot.
Photo/Getty Images
- This Piston team is so deep we need a life jacket just to look over the roster. I would love for someone to challenge the strength of this entire team to any other current NBA roster.
- “He must not have checked my track record,” Wallace said. “I ain’t no slouch out there.” Sheed on his steal against Rush.
- Remember the Pistons have an afternoon game on Monday at the Palace against The Bucks.
Hey natalie..
There was a lot of hoping from the female contingent in the chat room last night that you might be able to put up the video of Stuckey’s shorts falling down during the jump shot. 🙂
^^^ohh PLEASEEE yesss :]]] haha
seriously? I will see what I can do.
^ lol That was so funny. I saw that they kept falling down a little ways and I was like “He’s going to lose his shorts one of these times down the court” and yessir. He did. What’s really funny is that they replayed it and Kelser and Blaha were laughing at him. Of course Blaha made one of his usual corny comments about how Stuckey was playing his pants off or something. I love George. lol Poor Stuckey.
Man that game got a little scary. Detroit’s been blowing teams out of the water so early lately, I forgot about The Core’s ability to make big plays down the stretch. I guess having one of those down-to-the-wire type games every once in a while is good for the boys.
Keeps ’em humble and focused.
Kelser commented on it when they did a slow mo reply of Stuckey taking a jumper from behind at one point in the second half.
I wanted to see what Stuckey could do, but I didn’t want him taking minutes away from Arron. I mean Arron Afflalo has truly been solid for us this season. When the guy is on the floor he barely looks like a rookie. I want Stuckey to play just as much as the next person, but Arron has proven himself enough that Flip needs to make him a constant part of the rotation. Don’t just let Stuckey come in and take all the minutes away from Afflalo which he has earned.
Surprised not to see anything about Stuckey’s performance in the recap. Is it just me, or was Stuckey not huge for a stretch midway through the 4th? The 3 ball he hit was a dagger. Instead, it seems most of you are mad Stuckey is taking Afflalo’s minutes.
I like Afflalo, but it’s up to Flip to find him minutes with Stuckey in the fold.
Stuckey reminds me of Tayshaun in that he’s a cool customer. Tayshaun has had a ton of poise even when he was a rookie. Stuckey has that same way about him.
did anybody catch that sonics-celtics game last wednesday??
i had just tuned in for fvie minutes.. but one of the guys asked the other, ” so would it be safe to say that the celtics are clearly the best team in the east right now and would be the ones to come from the east?” and the other guy said, ” actually, id have to say the detroit pistons are. they have proven how solid they are and are doing great right now” and he went on to tlak about chauncey and everyoen
hahaaa the pistons are finally getting some recognition [not that we need it though] ..but it is even better that ithappened during a CELTICS game
its just soo satisfying after hearing for 2 whole days that the pistons beat the celitcs by “luck”
The Pistons did beat the celtics by luck…. Well, not quite luck. They won not by outplaying the celtics, but by out coaching and out thinking them. If Doc hadn’t been dumb enough to put an anxious, handsy defender like Tony Allen on Chauncey, then he never would have been able to draw a foul on that half-baked up fake. Tony Alllen was watching Brandon Roy videos, and wanted to be the hero. He wasn’t. Rondo should have been covering Billups, with a soft doubl over on the strong side post to prevent the post up. Instead, its 1 on 1 with TA and the foul gets drawn with .1 seconds.
Basically, to cut a long comment short(er) the message here is that the celtics firing on all cylinders would absolutely murder the Pistons.
^^i completely disagree. I mean yes, we did beat them by only 2 points, but it really doesn’t matter how they play us or we play them in the regular season…..just like lst year when we won the series 3-1 to the cavs before the playoffs and we lost.And we also lost to the Bulls in the regular season! But we beat them in the playoffs. With that being said, it really doesn’t matter until playoff time.
And the best team wins (veterans, experience, chemistry)
GO PISTONS =]
Good to see a game go down to the wire, but wish we were playing a better team
Upset afflalo lost so much minutes
If we have such a deep bench why aren’t any of them playing in close games.
For the life of me I do not see any difference between Rodney Stuckey and Flip Murray, other than Rodney being more inexperienced.They both
1. Can penetrate into the lane, and finish with contact.
2. Can make plays for others when they want to
3. Can shoot midrange
4. Cannot play defense
If I’m wrong let me know, but really not sure what Rodney brings that Flip doesn’t
Go Pistons
Anony 6:15,
Rodney is the future of the Pistons. Flip Murray is not. That’s the difference. I’ve always supported Flurray but he’s probably not going to be on the roster much longer while Dumars sees Stuckey as being an important piece to team for years to come. That’s the reason he’s in, getting acclimated and gaining experience. And that’s the reason Murray is inactive, looking pretty in a suit on the sidelines and cheering for the team.
Also, regarding your #4, Flurray doesn’t play defense because he chooses not to. I was reading an article this morning that talked about Stuckey’s defense and how it’s a work in progress because he’s making the transition from college ball to the NBA. He’ll learn. He’s got Lindsey Hunter helping hin!
Anon 6:15, you’re right to draw those comparisons between Murray and Stuckey, but you’re missing a big difference. Murray is a veteran who’s stock is dropping and is inconcistant at best. Stuckey is a rookie (is it 4 games into his NBA career?) who will only get better with his experience. It’s not fiar to compair the two because of the difference in experience. If Rodney is able to make mistakes and learn from them and we’re still winning ball games, I don’t see the problem.
Regarding A.A.’s mintues:
I don’t like seeing them decreasing either, but I’m hoping that it’s only a transitional thing right now. Stuckey needs to go through some growing pains right now and he needs another veteren gaurd out there to support him for now. When Saunders is confident enough to have Stuckey and Afflalo out there at the same time, he’ll probably start subbing Stuckey at the 1 and Afflalo at the 2, where they’re intended to go. Unfortunatley, knowing Saunders, Chauncey will be retired before he trusts the new guys enough to do that!
^
I hope you’re right about that. Afflalo deserves those minutes over Stuckey IMO. He didn’t look too thrilled on the bench.
Detroi didn’t win with Celtics just by luck. Chauncey lost the ball and IT WAS CELTICS FAULT they didn’t score. If they did, would you say Celtics won by luck… probably not V_V.
They didn’t score so the Pisonts got the ball and won. C’mon you saw throughout the game, Chauncey pulled a jumper on Rondo’s face. Rondo just kept watching uahaha. IT would have been the same… he’s a rookie too.
It’s going to be a godfight in the ECF, lets be honest. I’m a huge Detroit fan, but after the last 2 seasons, i’m a little worried about our guys. I think Detroit should win, but felt the same against Miami and Cleveland. Plus, in accordance recent trends, I wouldn’t be suprised to see the leauge pulling for Beantown to get in the finals….rating people…money… I just hope they don’t lose in 6 games in the Eastern Conference finals.
1. I didnt say the pistons won by luck. If you read more than the 1st sentence you would see that.
2. Rondo is a second year player.
3. Rondo is a great defender, as is illustrated by his 2.7 SPG
4. Chauncey shot jumpers over him because Rondo was playing off to prevent the drive and the post up. Having heavy help means he could have gotten in his face…and he wouldn’t have jumped like Tony Allen did.