The Atlanta Hawks always seem to bring their A game when it comes to playing The Detroit Pistons and Tuesday’s contest was no different. The Pistons, who led by seven at the half, were treaded to an energetic Hawks team who took the lead in the third quarter led by Josh Smith. Smith’s 30 points just wasn’t enough for the Hawks to pull it out, thanks to the late game heroics of Chauncey Billups who lived up to his name nickname. Mr. Big Shot was frigid from the floor until it counted when he put up 12 of his 16 points late in the fourth quarter to seal The Pistons ninth straight victory. The final score 94-90.
Key Points:
- The first quarter was all about Rasheed Wallace who the Hawks had no answer for. Sheed put up 15 in the first quarter on 6-for-7 shooting.
- Richard Hamilton, who had a bout of food poisoning, put up 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting in 35 minutes on the floor.
- The Zoo Crew got into action early with Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson each scoring six points by the half.
- The driving conditions in Michigan weren’t kind to many of us yesterday so I had to watch this one after the fact. If you were one of those fans who didn’t get a chance to catch this one, here’s all you need to see. Mr. Big Shot’s daggers in the fourth to put the game away.
Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and myTV20 Detroit
- “Man, it was like there was a lid on the basket for most of the game,” Billups said. “I was getting pretty good looks, couldn’t knock it down…… I was able to come back in the game fresh. Stuck (Rodney Stuckey) played great and made some big plays. I was able to come in fresh and try it back up again.” Via The Detroit Free Press
- I am sure Rasheed Wallace was a bit surprised by Flip Saunders uncharacteristic actions last night. The extremely hot Sheed drew his fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter, with the Pistons down 81-78. Saunders kept him in.
- Dumars on possible trade moves before the deadline.
- The starters didn’t do much in the first half except for Rasheed Wallace who led the Pistons with 21 points, 5 boards, 2 assists and I’m counting 3 blocked shots even though his last block was called a foul late in the fourth quarter to send him to the bench with 6 fouls. He was also hit with another Tech.
- Rodney Stuckey led the bench scoring with 12 points, his jumper seems to be getting better, he looks more comfortable and more importantly he’s getting Chauncey rest.
Photo/Getty
- The Pistons were CRUSHED on the boards, losing the war 34-47.
- Impressed with Al Horford and Josh Smith. I know a lot of Pistons fans would like to have Smith on the team and frankly I’m still not sold on his maturity, but his game is solid.
- The Hawks scored a whopping 54 points(Detroit 34) in the paint.
- Tons of Pistons fans in the crowd as always in Atlanta, it was especially nice to know that some members of Team Need4Sheed were in the house.
- Zaza Pachulia….nothing to say other than the fact that I get amused every time I hear his name.
- Biggest lead for the Pistons 15 points. Atlanta’s largest number was 4.
- NBA.com highlights of the game.
- Yes Sheed was hot and scored some big points in the first especially with the three ball but it was this sweet pass to Tay that stood out for me.
Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and myTV20 Detroit
- The Hawks were held to 3-of-19 shooting in the fourth by the gritty Pistons, who let an early 15-point lead slip away but rebounded at the end. Via Captain of Team Need4Sheed Steve
- Afflalo getting stuffed by Josh Smith when he should have dished the ball and then a Maxiell block on the other end was outstanding, too bad the Pistons didn’t convert on the play.
- ESPN Props for Maxiell. “He is, essentially, Ben Wallace Lite”
- Stuporstars in Detroit?
- Heads up, Bennie and Jeff will be interviewing Rodney Stuckey on Saturday. I will make sure I get the exact time so you can listen live on Wood radio or through their website.
- Tonight at The Palace against Indiana.
So, i didnt get to watch the game until the 4th quarter, so I was at least happy to see Chauncey do his thing. Anyway, I was reading something about Shaq on Bill Walton and it is freaking Hilarious!
“I’ve done more in three years than he’s done in his whole career,” said O’Neal, referring to his three-peat run with the Lakers. “I would like a little respect from this man. I don’t understand where his comments are coming from, nor do I really care.
“He criticized me for being injured … he only had two full seasons in his entire career. One thing I hate in life is a hypocrite — I hate them, despise them. So I would like a little respect when it comes to ‘The Dominant Big Man’s Club'”
I Love when the atheletes strike back at “former” atheletes who are now broadcasters. Its so funny! hahahaha ANYWAY enjoy the snow?? Drive safe everyone.
Nick~
AKA- The #1 Dyess fan… NickDyess!
stuckey and amir are the future of the pistons
good read that superstars article.
The way they broke down the all star vaoting, makes it so our guys being there is ll the more special.
But while there are James fans in Cleveland, and Wade fans in Miami, here in the D, we have Pistons fans, and that’s something to be proud of. When the boys go on the road, it’s Pistons fans that show up to cheer at the arena, not just a chance to pop your Kobe jersey in public.
Well put Fluidics, I am always one to say that, especially being at the Palace. When is the last time you saw a cle or LA fan in Detroit with a jersey other than James or Kobe? (and you can’t count shaq)
It’s not like they come in to auburn hills sporting Drew Gooden or Odom Jersey. If they do, I surely never saw one.
That’s a great point. I still wear my Grant Hill jersey with pride because I’m simply a pistons fan.
I like what Dumars said about not making trades just for the sake of making them, and I also understand the Brezec and Hermann are becomming fan favorites and probably shouldn’t be traded away considering the cap room they give us. But why keep Flip Murray? Couldn’t we trade him for a late draft pick or a project player? We could swap him straight up for a cheese pizza and it would still be a good trade. There has to be some team that wants an experienced scoring point guard, even if he is Flip Murray.
I love this site. Thanks Natalie for all your hard work!
Can I just say this… If Tay didn’t finish a play around the rim, there must be a foul!
He rarely gets any and1 called. How many times does he finish with a jam and not getting hit? He just doesn’t get much call around the rim. And he’s hit all the time.
I was the one who started the Pro- Josh Smith talk and that was b4 the game yesterday. He’s the truth would upgrade the boys. Better defender at the 3, better finisher, better shot blocker, steals, rebounder, younger with less mileage, and more passion than Tay.
I got love for Tayshaun, and maybe this is coming from a disappointed point of view, but he needs to give more. At this point in his career, he is unlikely to get better and I think he is stagnent or regressing. The announcers said he has 21 blocks for the year. As many points as we give up in the paint, he should be getting at least 1 a game. Tay is never in foul trouble and that’s a sign of not being aggressive.
I think next to sheed or on par with sheed, tay has the highest Basketball IQ. He rarely makes a dumb play. Josh Smith is young but would join a vet, winning team. He’d fall in line. plus a lil of his nastiness would be nice.a
Ruben,
I am not understating Smiths abilities by any means but I just wonder if his attitude is “piston like”. He kind of rubs me the wrong way in that he’s trying to get his. I wonder what he would be like with a diminished roll. Something he would have if he came to the Pistons.
I just don’t see it happening, but the kid has talent, there is no discounting that.
Oh…and Thank You Anonymous 🙂
JASON KIDD TO THE MAVS!!!! but what happens at the allstar game if kidd is traded out west?? maybe chuancey will start!!!
yeah i know! Kidd got traded to the mavs for devin harris, jerry stack, desagna diop, devean george, maurice ager and first round draft picks in this year and 2010 draft
who didn’t get traded would be a shorter list.
straight up for a cheese pizza… LOL!! good one ;]
looks like rip wont get to go up against kobe.