The Pistons stayed in control for pretty much the whole game. Prince and Sheed started out hot, with Sheed especially determined to reverse the previous decision vs. Houston. Sheed hit some triples, and got inside for some strength type jumpers.

Rip just keeps making shots. How steady can a guy get. And it does not hurt that he is tall enough to post up their short guards so much.


Billups hit some shots.


Dyess missed some useless outside jumpers early, but then wow, he actually decided to go inside a few times instead of settling for the fade - a - way. The result was that he actually helped the team. He drew fouls, and he made his free throws. Indeed, we had Houston in foul trouble at position after position. And Dyess had another fine rebounding game.


Dyess got player of the game, but JMAX certainly made a case for himself. A super block on TMAC. Successful post move after successful post move. Generally going strong to the middle, rising up over the entire world, and canning the short jumper. JMAX also hit some outside shots, including a shot clock beater off an inbounds play with one second to go. Plus he made all but one of several free throws.


Amir only got some garbage time at the end of the game. Still, almost 6 minutes worth, better than nothing. A block on Mutombo was his highlight. Amir got some shot attempts in too, as Stuckey was running the show and doing a good job of distributing the ball.


Stuckey played most of the 4th quarter, and it was not all garbage time. We had a good lead, but there was plenty of time left in the game. A nice assist really was his only highlight, but its great to see him taking some shots, and running the offense. He also got two minutes to end the 2nd quarter. Hunter did the backup point guard chores to start the 2nd quarter, and did not do much.


This game is a bit tainted since TMAC went out injured early in the 3rd quarter with the game still in doubt, followed a few minutes later by Ming after getting an inadvertent elbow from Sheed. TMAC has a knee injury of some type that got reagravated.


Great coaching? Naw. Playing McDyess that much with so little rest in the 1st half marred an otherwise good coaching effort. If Amir had played first half minutes, I would be applauding Flip. But he did not. He also did not bring Jason Maxiell in early in the first. Its like he thinks this is a big game, and tightened up just a bit on his rotation. Relax, the more the young kids play, the more we are going to beat teams up. Energy is the key.


Brezec played mostly garbage time, but also played at the end of the 2nd half. As a team, we did not do so well at that time, but hey, what can you tell in 2 minutes - not much. Brezec canned a pair of free throws after getting fouled on a cut to the basket, got a dunk. He was abused pretty bad by Ming. Got to mention Dyess here as he played great D on Ming. So did Sheed.


Good to see Hayes knock down a few shots from the outside. I hope that is a trend, but I still want to see other players get a fair shot at that playing time.


Murray did not dress. Neither did Fabio nor Samb who is recovering from a broken jaw. (Which does not need surgery - back in 2 - 4 weeks last we heard.)


20-7 ain't none to shabby. Great. But Flip has to start realizing that there is never an excuse to exclude Amir in first halves. He needs the experience. Sure he looked like he needs experience. He does. But did you see just how high Amir got up to block Mutombo, or how high he was flying to gather in that rebound. How about noticing that on transition D, he is right there hounding the guy with the ball trying to get to the basket. Quickness really helps on transition D.


Afflalo mostly just deferred to everyone else, played solid D. Its guys like him who are willing to sacrifice, and give guys like Stuckey and Amir, who really need the shot ops, the ops they need, that so quickly endear themselves to you. Thanks.


GO PISTONS!!!!!! AND GO FLIP!!!!! (for getting it mostly right tonight.)