So much for an easy game against the shorthanded Pacers. Indiana came to play and with them came their three point shooting percentage. Indiana scored 36 points behind the long line for the game at 50%. The Pacers led 32-23 after the first quarter, but it was Sheedomination that propelled The Pistons to a two point halftime lead. The game stayed tight, but the Pistons never really lost control. The final score 110-104.
Key Points:
- I’m pretty sure that George Blaha jinxed Rip Hamilton after his glowing game intro on Rip’s stellar shooting percentage (63%) of late. Rip still finished the game with 15 points, but it took him 18 shots to do it in.
- Double-Double’s for McDyess and Sheed.
- Six Pistons in double figures, Indiana had five.
- Can someone tell me why Chauncey took just eight shots on the night? Did I miss something? No matter though, Smooth still put up 13 points with 8 assists, 2 steals and and a blocked shot in 35 minutes.
- The starters started off the game like it was the second game of a back to back, not like they came off a three day layoff.
- Ra did everything in this one. Sheed led the Pistons with 24 points, 10 boards, a steal and 3 blocked shots. His third and final blocked shot, a three pointer by Diener, in the final seconds of the game sealed the deal. “I just had to pull out some of my old high jumping tricks,” “I had a head start coming from the other side. That lane was my runway.” Sheed on his block, Via The Detroit News
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- Solid outing for the Pistons bench who really added a spark to the Pistons lifeless game. Does this really mean Amir Johnson is a solid fixture in the rotation?
- Can we just give a little credit to Antonio McDyess who quietly puts up solid games day in and day out. Sure he’s had some struggles with his shot but even when he’s not knocking them down, he’s playing fantastic D and grabbing boards.
- Stuckey looked a bit more comfortable in tonight’s win. Stuckey scored 7 points on 3-for-5 shooting and added 2 assists. I am a little disappointed that he went 1-for-4 from the line, I am still counting on him being money from the stripe. I’m still giving him the time he needs to get the kinks worked out. Remember how he played before his broken hand? It speaks for itself.
- An Amirzing putback on a Stuckey miss. Johnson finished with 6 points, 6 boards, 2 assists and a block. He and Maxiell are like the Pistons very own shot of adrenaline.
- Solid night for Mr. Prince who put up 17 points when the backcourt was having trouble scoring. Maybe these last couple of games will stop all the Tayshaun trade scenarios I keep hearing. I am sold on Tayshaun’s importance to this team, but am I the only one who thinks his defense is a concern right now?
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- Jarvis got his groove back, and after watching his post game interview he looked pretty relieved. Hayes put up 13 points in almost 16 minutes on 5-6 shooting. Once he made the first one you could see his confidence come right back. I know it’s silly to complain after his first solid game in a while, but at least one rebound would be nice.
- Mike Dunleavy led the Pacers with 25, this is the third game this season that Dunleavy has put up big numbers against the Pistons. Remember when Tayshaun used to shut him down without breaking a sweat?
- Sheed just punished the Pacers when they tried to go as big as they could or when they went small.
- Tayshaun had a chance to recreate “The Block” on Travis Diener, but Diener actually made the layup.
- The Pistons shot 49.4% from the floor.
- NBA.com Highlights of the game.
- Just funny…. look at Murphy’s stance and the look on Amir’s face.
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- We can’t seem to get enough of Maxiell and Amir’s on court flashes of brilliance, heck I’m going to wear out the rewind feature on the Tivo reliving all the dunks and blocks from those two, but Arron Affllalo needs to be recognized for his solid contributions this season. I watched him at UCLA, but had no idea that he would be willing to do whatever it took to contribute to this team without all the glory. Two points, 3 boards, 1 assist, a steal and a blocked shot in 10 minutes.
- Rebound war won 48-40.
- Pistons #9 in the Power Rankings.
- It’s been forever since Flip Murray has dressed, no time for Brezec or Herrmann, though they seem to love to be on this team. What could Joe D be thinking? A trade, or Playoff insurance?
- Simply SHEEDtastic.
Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and FSN Detroit
#9 IN S.I. POWER RANKINGS????????????
THERE GOES THEIR CREDIBILITY……..
Here’s a nice article about Tayshaun Prince.
http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/SPORTS0102/801280334/1004/SPORTS
How could the coaches not pick him for the allstar reserves? Man, screw allstars!
And the picture of Amir and that Murphy guy is priceless. I’ve never seen anyone shoot with one leg up like that.
XD at the Troy/Amir picture. Amir looks like he is gearing up for a Falcon Punch and Troy looks like a jumping dwarf! XD Don’t know how you got the pic Nat, but thanks!
amir looks like donkey kong in that picture… give me them bananas!
yeah, I was shocked too when I saw the Pistons #9 on SI.com’s power rankings..I couldn’t believe it.
Natalie when are we going to get In My Own Words about Rip. We’re waiting, patiently of course.
I think you should make a desktop pic out of that first shot of RA.
I really liked how Aaron just ran it out at the very end instead of nabbing the extra two points and padding his stats a bit. Classy, and it shows where his priorities are.
It really does look like a solid, young foundation. Especially if Stuckey gets back to form and lives up to the hype.
Where can I get a highlight of that sick Amir putback… I’ve looked everywhere!!
The Pistons are still in “The Top 5ive” on NBA.com. Marc Stein has them ranked #5, too. Hell, even “Hater” John Hollinger has them ranked #6. Sports Illustrated wishes it was The Mag…
Anon 1:27–The power rankings lost its credibility when they put the Hornets at #1, hahahaha. Yeah, the new Champions, I’m sure. I wouldn’t mind playing them in the finals though!
Who cares what other people say? As fans, we put Detroit at number one, and in reality, it’s their true position. The “rankers” change the numbers the second anyone has a bad game. It’s ridiculous.
I hope I don’t sound too stupid here, but can someone please tell me what the power rankings are based on? How the hell does Cleveland get ahead of Detroit exactly? Guess maybe I can understand some of the others, but Cleveland?? Puh-lease!
Power Rankings aren’t meant to list the teams in order of how good they are. They’re meant to list them in order of how well they’ve played lately, with their long-term performance as a secondary factor.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5027020/Detroit-Pistons-Notes,-Quotes
Seems like Rip wants in the All Star 3pt shootout. Well I’ll vote him in!
Don’t sleep on the Hornets. They have a real good squard I mean how can u not be good with CP3 settin u up and David West AND Tyson Chandler in the post. Not to mention Peja’s shooting in the 3 spot
How do we get Rip in the 3pt shooting contest? Isn’t it by invitation only? I hope this underestimating thing makes him even more deadly at shooting 3’s.
thank you anon 6:37 power rankings are just a ranking of how well the team is playing during that week, with overall records and potential not playing a big part.
Also thank you Natalie for mentioning Tayshaun’s defense no one I talk to seems to see it, in the words of Mugatu from Zoolander “i feel like I’m taking crazy pills. He’s too focused on offense. I mean how is it he can block reggie and let some guy (Diener?) go up like that, he hasn’t Tayshauned anyone in awhile.
Also in that article by Chris McCosky I couldn’t believe how arrogant he sounded, he believes he is owed an all star bid or something, I personally think he’s underacheiving (that’s right I said it go ahead and let me have it)
When was the last time you saw sheed put three dunks in a single game (granted Jermaine o’neal was hurt, but that was nice) And I always love Dyess to Sheed or vice versa. Sheed block was so awesome.
JMAX and Amir are great off the bench hope neither of them are traded in any deal.
Go you freaking awesome Pistons
nicepost