The Pistons dropped their second straight in New Jersey losing to the Nets 74-89. Any loss is disappointing, but to the team and its fans is the fact that they went down to the wire on Wednesday night against the Celtics and then put up a dud against the struggling Nets is just another sign of the issues the Pistons have.

Key Points:

• Really…what are they going to do with Rip Hamilton? Another game goes by that he’s glued to the bench even when the trade deal is off the table. Are there other reasons why Rip isn’t playing? I’m tempted to put up a poll on the site on how many more games it’s going to take until Rip explodes to the media. It’s an bad situation that’s only getting worse as the days go on.
• Are they blaming energy on this one?

Ben Gordon: “We were definitely flat. I don’t know why but for whatever reason we were definitely flat. Whether you’re tired for one game or just can’t get into it you just have to dig down and try to find whatever we can. Guys came in the 4th quarter and we really didn’t have a rhythm. That’s pretty much the game right there, they just came in they had the momentum and we didn’t and that’s the difference.”

• The most exciting thing about this game was the Will Bynum lob pass that when it.

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Video courtesy of NBA.com

• Greg Monroe struggled to score going 2-for-6 and 1-4 from the line for 5 points. Shooting issues aside he still grabbed 10 boards and playing solid defense on Lopez and Favors.
• T-Mac with 10 points, 6 boards and 6 assists.
• Shooting woes – Detroit struggled in the first half on the offensive, shooting under 30 percent and finishing at 33 percent for the game.
• Tayshuan Prince led the Pistons with 16 points on 6-for-17 shooting with 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot in 33 minutes.
• Charlie Villanueva went down awkwardly late in the first quarter. He left the game and returned to start the second quarter, but only played nine minutes leaving with a sprained ankle and didn’t return. It looks like he’s going to be sidelined for a game or two…or more.
• Stuckey struggled with his shot going 3-for-12 but thankfully was perfect from the line. Stuckey, who in the first six minutes shot 0 for 5 with two shots blocked, another layup missed and two turnovers. He finished the game with 14 points and an assist in 28 minutes.
• The Pistons waived the red flag in the fourth quarter. Rare sighting of DaJuan Summers.
• The Nets shot 50% from the floor.
• Highlights of the game via NBA.com

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Video courtesy of NBA.com

• When is Ben Gordon going to shake this shooting slump?
• Not much more to add, this one was just hard to watch considering they really could have pulled this one out. With no Charlie and no Ben it’s going to be tough for the Pistons. Will Saturday’s game with Phoenix add to the mess or get them back on track?
• You do remember what happened the last time these two teams met?