In this series -- for the first time since Billups arrived in Detroit -- there have been moments when the Pistons seem better off without him. Rookie Rodney Stuckey is not the player Billups is yet. But he is darn good, and more important, he is healthy.

"At times, we look better with Stuck, just because of the pace and how he's been able to play," Saunders said.

Saunders was in no way criticizing Billups. He was just stating a fact. I don't think Billups would argue the point. But both men know the Pistons need Billups to play well.

Billups was a -25 on Saturday. I know it’s misleading to read too much into single-game plus/minus numbers, but in Billups’ four stints on the floor, the Pistons didn’t score more points than they gave up once.

Stuckey, meanwhile, was a +3. Sure, he had the advantage of not facing Boston’s starters 100% of the time, but what if he had? Does anyone think it’d result in a 28-point swing? I don’t see it that way.