From the beginning, Detroit was just toying with NY. There was no way, no how we could lose this game. The starters came out executing, and playing D. Rip was just simply going right to the basket without resistence. For the game, Sheed hit 4 3 pointers, Tay knocked down 18, many with outside shots, but one very impressive drive in from the left and dunk. Rip included some long rangers as the Pistons got over 10 triples in this game. Delfino and Evans each knocked one down late in the game to run that total up. Ben as usual did not score. He blew a wide open dunk, and threw up an airball at the line. And he defended Curry just fine. Billups got over 10 assists but did little scoring himself.

Arroyo came in with a little over 2 minutes left in the first quarter, and left with about 6 minutes to go in the half. A good long stint. We gained just one point during this time, because wide open shots were missed. Dyess was off. By the way, anyone notice all the passes Dyess is dropping? Seems he can't bend those knees down.

Evans made a couple of decent plays when he first came into the game, but contributed very little besides that. Without that triple late in the game you would have to say he had an off night, along with Billups and Dyess. With team, a few people being off just does not matter. Just way too much fire power. I suppose someone will bemoan the fact we counted on so many triples. But these, time and again, were wide open triples. We missed 4 in a row at one point, one each Sheed, CB, Tay, and Rip. So what. Except for CB, each of these players canned multiple threes. Thats a lot of offense.

Delfino flat out looked marvelous in this game. Especially in the 2nd half. In that 2nd half, neither Arroyo nor Evans got in the game until it was pretty well over. Just Dyess and Delfino for a good stretch. Delfino hit two jumpers coming off curls into the middle, drove in and got fouled. Drove from the right and got fouled on a dunk attempt. Plus the late triple, just to show us fans he really can nail triples.

Maxiell was again impressive in getting to the line, but darn, he is looking just steadily worse at the line. Not the way to garner playing time. Darko got 6 points, some bounds, and assist. He had one outside jumper, a layup on a pick and roll, and a tip back.

Biggest issue in my mind tonight, besides Darko of course who I believe is the key to winning it all this year, is Evans. Look, Delfino can flat out play. Give the minutes to Delfino. That would make our team a lot better immediately. This is not hating on Evans. Just really, really liking Delfino.

There was nothing really at all wrong with the play of our bench in that 1st half. Just missing shots. But despite the missed shots, like I said, Arroyo was plus one in that first half. Our defense held.

Dale Davis did not play in garbage time. The Darko detractors are going to have a hard time explaining that. Flip was interviewed before the game by one of the announcers. Flip told the guy that Darko was simply playing behind three very good players. Nothing negative about Darko whatsoever. For the record, Darko ain't missed an outside shot of late. Anyone still want to complain about him taking outside shots during practice in those three on threes? I for one want to see Darko be an outside threat, just like he was the day we got him. There is nothing wrong with a 7 footer having range. When we heard about why Darko was drafted, a big part of it was about how Darko could hit them from anywhere in the gym.

Channing Frye was quite impressive. But his outside shot was the most impressive thing about him when NY sorely needs bigs inside. They need someone to block shots. They ain't got nothing inside at all. This team could absolutely use a guy like Darko. Ha Ha Ha, they can't have him. GO PISTONS!!!!!