11-03-2007, 10:38 AM
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 | Retired from Forum | | Last Online: 02-22-2008 09:45 AM Join Date: Sep 2005
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 Re: At Orlando Nov 2 7pm
This writeup by Keith Langlois on the game is the best I have read. Quote: OT JUST YET Maybe the NBA should hold off on printing Boston's invitation to the NBA Finals just yet. The Pistons tore through Florida like it was still hurricane season, whacking an Orlando team bent on vengeance for the 8-0 record the Pistons laid on the Magic in last year's regular season and playoffs. The 116-92 win on Friday came on the heels of their season-opening victory at Miami and gets the Pistons off to a great start - especially considering they were severely shorthanded in both games. Rip Hamilton missed his second straight game after the birth of his son and Lindsey Hunter and Rodney Stuckey also sat again. It was an especially delightful win for the Pistons given that Orlando had put "8" up on their bulletin board to signify last year's Detroit dominance and Magic star Dwight Howard had said Orlando wasn't going to just try to beat the Pistons, but to "destroy" them. The marketing them in Orlando this year? "The Time is Now." Uh, maybe later.
SAUNDERS: "Sheed's been great. He's been like this all through training camp and he's carried it through."
WALLACE: "Flip came in and did a good job at the point, even though that's not his natural position. He came in and distributed the ball pretty well and he took advantage of mismatches, as well."
Enter Amir - Though he's still working through residual pain in his Achilles tendon as a result of the sprained ankle suffered in training camp, Amir Johnson made his season debut with just under five minutes to go Friday night. The expected rust was in evidence, but so was the eye-catching athleticism. A basket, four boards and two blocks - that's an awfully busy five minutes.
The Pistons, Saunders said, were calling Hamilton "Wally Pipp" in the locker room after the game, a reference to the Yankees first baseman who sat out a game and never regained his job. Some guy named Gehrig took it.
SAUNDERS: "The thing that's been impressive for us is we've made a lot of runs with Jarvis Hayes, Flip Murray, Afflalo, Maxey - those people on the floor. Our main guys are doing what they're supposed to do and our other guys have come in and done what they're supposed to do. Jarvis hit two huge shots. Every time you have success, you gain more confidence not only in yourself but your teammates in yo
| More on the link PISTONS: Pistons 116, Orlando 92  |