The Pistons 76-73 victory Sunday night at the Palace wasn’t pretty, but it showed that the Pistons believe in winning more than anything. As Detroit’s lottery dreams fade with every W on the schedule, it seem the most important thing on Lawrence Frank’s mind is teaching this team how to win.
Key Points:
- It took till the final second of this one to decide which team was going to get better lottery positions.
- Ben Gordon scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Gordon put the Pistons ahead to stay, 71-68, on a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining.
- It was so bad that Detroit had just 29 points at the half.
- Brandon Knight with 19 points, 2 assists, 3 boards and a steal in 31 minutes on the floor. If not for Brandon and Ben this one wouldn’t have gone the Pistons way.
- I think Austin Day may have got his last chance last week, he was a DNP coaches decision.
- 27% shooting in the first half and 36% shooting on the night for Pistons. The Raptors didn’t do much better themselves shooting 37% on the night.
- The Pistons have shot below 37 percent in three straight games.
- This game was tied 16 times with 21 league changes.
- Despite the Hammer in the building at the half, the Raptors on a Sunday evening didn’t draw a big crowd at the Palace.
- Stuckey 1-for-7 for 7 points on the night.
- Ben and Brandon were the only Pistons in double figures.
- Greg Monroe with 17 rebounds.
- Highlights via NBA.com
[flashvideo file=http://nba.cdn.turner.com/nba/big/games/pistons/2012/04/22/0021100955_tor_det_1h.nba_nba_576x324.flv /]
- Pacers Monday night and then just one more on Thursday at the Palace against the Sixers.
The Pistons have a decent young core of players to build on and a good coaching staff.
The future seems bright for this team.
The off season should be very interesting for Joe D and the Pistons, starting with the draft.
There are several underachieving players and free agents on the team with an uncertain future for 2012-13.
These include Maxiell, CV, Wilkins, Russell, Big Ben, and last but not least Austin Daye.
don’t throw Ben on that heap. The guy’s a legend. besides he’s gonna retire after the season.
I think Julian was referring to the fact that Ben would probably be gone…not that he’s in the same class as Daye.
From what I’ve read lately Ben isn’t so sure about retiring anymore so we might have him back next season!
This game stunk both teams checked out for summer. It will be nice to see Ben get some major minutes for his last game against Philly, feed Ben in the post and let him score, who cares if he goes 3 for 20, last game of his career lets see some highlights.
Plus he should be starting so Mason can introduce him one last time (if he’s gonna retire)!
Did you guys here Jonas guaransheed that the Pistons will make the playoffs next season?
Love Jonas but he can’t even Guaransheed that anyone of his teammates or himself are going to be left on this team next year. I do hope he’s right though.