I doubt any Piston fan envisioned the last place Miami Heat would take the Pistons down to the wire at The Palace Wednesday night. In fact I’m one of those fans who sat stunned at what I was watching in Auburn Hills. It wasn’t pretty but, thankfully the Pistons came out with a win. The final score 100-95.
Key Points:
- Most of the arena was empty because of the weather conditions. The numbers doubled by halftime as I am sure it took most people more than double the time it usually takes to make it down to The Palace.
- Did the Pistons take Miami lightly? I don’t know any reason for what I saw last night.
- Wade did have a big game with 30, but it was his turnovers late in the game that really helped The Pistons seal the win.
- It sure looked like the Pistons were going to have a good game after Chauncey’s three to start the game followed by two makes from Sheed.
- The Pistons got a battle from a Miami team who dressed just nine players and played only eight.
- SHEEDtastic night for Rasheed who led the Pistons with 26 points, 10 boards, 3 assists, a blocked shot and a steal. It was Sheed’s domination late in the second quarter who led a Piston run enabling them to tie the game at 48 all at the half.
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- The Shaq trade is finalized.
- Rebound war won 38-32.
- Jarvis Hayes really sparked the Pistons in his eleven minutes on the floor. He scored 7 points on 3-5 shooting. Each one of his baskets really came when the Pistons needed them.
- I’m a little surprised that Amir and Afflalo played so few minutes in the game. The way the starters were playing they could have used a bit of the Zoo Crew’s energy.
- Seriously, Rickey Davis? Davis lit the Pistons up for 20 on 7-for-10 shooting.
- I think most of us thought it was going to be smooth sailing after the Pistons pulled away in the third quarter by 11, but then they couldn’t make a basket early in the fourth and the Heat went on a 9-0 run.
- Rodney Stuckey got his first chance to play against his idol D Wade. Stuckey scored 3 points with three assists with his only basket coming from a Wade like layup early in the second quarter. Let’s just assume Wade doesn’t get a chance to block his shot the next go around.
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- NBA.com Highlights of the game.
- Another double-double for Antonio McDyess. Dyess finished with 10 points and 13 boards. He sure has settled into his new role well.
- Chauncey also had a had a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists and a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
- All five Pistons starters in double figures.
- Tayshaun had a balanced game with 14 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and a blocked shot
- Rip scored a quiet 19 points, it was his clutch jumper with 4 seconds left in the half helped the Pistons swing the momentum the other way going to the locker room.
- With Sheed’s double-double came with another technical, but it was that tech he got after complaining about an Antonio McDyess foul that put a fire under him. That meant lights out for Miami.
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- After official Brian Forte called a technical on Wallace, who was complaining about a call against McDyess, the bombastic center had more to say. “He needs to go back to the NBDL or middle school – one or the other,” Wallace said to veteran official Eddie Rush during a timeout shortly after the technical in the fourth quarter. Via NBA.com and thanks to all the members of Team Need4Sheed for making sure I didn’t miss that classic Sheed quote.
- I love it when Sheed calls glass.
- 17 points from the Pistons bench.
- The game had 10 lead changes and was tied 8 times.
- “Our problem was, we didn’t anticipate a tough game,” Billups said. “We played a little dangerous.’ Via NBA.com
- 30 team assists on the night for The Pistons.
- The Pistons game against Portland on Friday at The Palace should be a tough one.
- The Ultimate Fan Contest couldn’t have went better (except for the weather). The experience was fantastic and it deserves it’s own post, but until then let’s just say we were up close and personal.
i loved when wade tried passing the ball back in while he was sitting out of bounds under the basket. yeah, but his block on stuckey was horrifying.
Natalie, I had so much fun at the game. It was unbelievable being so close to the players. I had an amazing time. Thanks for the t-shirt, too!
Natalie are u gonna show us the other winners enteries?
That’s a handsome bunch of Piston fans! Looks like alot of fun.
As for Wade’s block, that picture you have of it illustrates something interesting. You can see he had a handful of Stuckey’s jersey. Look at how stretched it looks. It’s amazing all the little tricks NBA players sneak in there to give themselves an edge. You miss them because the action is so quick.
By the way, were my eyes deceiving me or was Jarvis Hayes guarding Wade and guarding him pretty well? It looked like he forced a couple of turnovers.
Thank you Natalie soo much for the rat experience. It was a lot more fun then i had anticipated. I appreciate the invite and everything that you and the Pistons organization had put together, because it was an unbelievable experience. My mom and I just want to thank you soo much and things like this makes you want to go to another game. I had soo much fun with you and all the other great Pistons fans. The game was fun, despite the weather conditions, and this was definitely THE BEST PISTONS EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE!
LET’S GO PISTONS AND LET’S GET THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2007-2008 IT’S OUR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL BOUT DETROIT BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad to hear you guys had a good time, it was a fun game to be at.
Those half empty snowstorm games always seem to be a lot of fun.
Why are the easy games always harder than they should be. And then after the game you always get some quote from a player saying, I guess we didn’t take it seriously enough. You’d think they could see the pattern here. Everybody else can. A win is still a win though. I didn’t see the game but I’m guessing that Ricky Davis got all his shots off the pick and roll. It seems like that’s hard for us to defend a lot of times. I think that’s why the Bulls always beat us. They’re all jump shooters that play off the pick and roll. Anyway, I should stop being negative seeing as how the boys have like the 2nd best record in the league or something like that. Go pistons!!!
I had soo soo much fun at the game!! It was defintely one of the best game I had ever been to and would do it a million times over again. The highlight for me was defintely seeing McDyess and having Tayshaun say hi girls to us!!
Thanks again Natalie for everything you did to organize this and for the t-shirts. I had tons of fun : )
Why be surprised about Ricky Davis scoring? In fact, that’s all what he does; he plays terrible defense.
Pathetic performance. Where was the D?
I caught that great shot of Wade pulling Stuckey’s jersey, too. Very funny, since we got the win, anyway. It’s kind of amazing the stuff people pull in front of a camera, but they get away with a lot of it, especially when they are popular stars.
I think the Pistons were counting on an easy night and it bit them. I’m always disappointed when the Pistons don’t come out hungry. It really looked like a good start, but it was pretty obvious they thought they could out shoot the short-handed Heat. I thought they’d correct their game more after the half, but a win is a win.
Stuckey played pretty well again. I’ve been keeping an eye on him, since I think he and Prince are the X factors this season. Stuckey dished out three assists without a turnover, had a steal. His court vision is improving, and I think his layups are looking a bit better. We’ll see. He has quite a few games to go before the playoffs, and his assist to turnover ratio is getting better. 34 more games… a lot of time for Stuckey to improve and Tayshaun to get consistent (like his play against the Heat).
i had such a great time!!!!
thank you so much natalie, and the pistons, for everthing!!!!
here’s an article about Hamilton’s 3pt. practice.
Is it just me, or every time the Pistons make a bet with one another, nobody ends up winning. Like the football one with Rip and Lindsey earlier, you never know who’s the winner.
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/langlois_blog_080207.html