The Pistons D has matured to the point where they can take advantage of any mistakes and shread you for it. Miami did not do that, its not something the Bulls are used to.

Everything went right this game. This was the perfect start to the series.

Billups came out blazing, and getting Ben Gordon in foul trouble, as the Pistons got a fairly easy victory tonight. Billups just totally outclasses the Chicago guards. Worse for Chicago, Duhon ain't giving them anything off the bench. Indeed, the Chicago bench did not even get a bucket in the first half of the game.

Deng was pretty much the only bright spot for Chicago, but Tay guarded him pretty effectively, plus was raining in shots all nite himself. Yeah, I think Tay won this little battle. Deng scored a lot more readily when Tay was sitting, but me, I was like, Tay is resting, Deng is scoring, and yet here we are still beating up on Chicago.

Dyess was the most significant sub for us, doing fine defensive work, getting lots of boards, and hitting several jumpers. He would have had a great game indeed if he had not missed several putback tries. Delfino contributed mostly on the boards, including a slam back off one offensive bound. He made two outside shots in garbage time to make an otherwise poor shooting nite look better.

JMAX got into the game, but you got to wonder if he would have if not for foul trouble. The press here did say to expect more of Maxiell. Maxiell got a slam from collecting an offensive board, dribbling from the right to in front of the basket for the dunk. He hit a jumper off a post up. He got a dunk on a nice bullet pass from Hunter. Another dunk late. His defensive rotations were impressive as always.

JMAX played about the last 5 minutes of the 2nd quater and most of the 4th quarter. We started out the 4th quarter with 3 unanswered triples. Sheed, Rip, and then Tay. Rip's was the most impressive, coming as the shotclock was expiring. Tay's was the most dramatic, as it spelt the end of Chicago's nite.

Davis got a couple of minutes in garbage time. Flip got some garbage time minutes too plus he played just a bit to end the first half. Hunter played the whole 4th plus about 6 mintues in the 2nd quarter. In total, I think Hunter must have been plus 24 in this game, or something like that. (At least at one point in the game when our lead got up to 28). Hunter did not really run the point well, but he did fine on defense, disrupting Chicago often.

It was noted that Flip Saunders deliberately played Hunter very little in the Orlando series (he only played 10 minutes) so that he would be fresh for this series. He looked pretty tired after those 6 mintues in the 2nd quarter, so lets hope him playing the whole 4th was not too much for him.

Well, Billups sure looks healthy now. What a contrast from that March 26th (I think) game where he started 2 for 14. That was an injured CB. Tonight, we saw the real Mr. Bigshot. CB came out firing over Gordon, who was guarding him initially. Duhon got his turn next to get repeatedly burnt by Chauncey. In the end, Hinrich got some scoring, but Duhon was near shutout while Gordon just made two shots for the night. Oh, and we held them to under 70. Got to love that.

Ben Wallace hit his first free throw, and even made two outside shots. One clanged around a few times before going in, and one was a fade-away over Webber. You know a team is in trouble if they are depending on Ben for offense.

The question of JMAX vs. Thomas. Thomas looked scared. JMAX looked fearless. And JMAX scored all the points and played the good D.

Sheed nailed a few triples, got inside a bit,but his defense was the biggest contribution from him tonight. He defended his own guy quite easily. (Like, hey what does Chicago have anyway-not much up front.) And Sheed was constantly found trapping someone on the baseline.

Rip did two things. Fine D, which is not too difficult for him against Chicago as he has speed to spare and quite a height advantage over the Chicago guards. And two, he scored as much as he felt like scoring. It was CB's nite to shine, but Rip still managed to put up good numbers.

Webber, well, so so. Got some bounds. A good pass or two. Chicago was not getting inside on us too much. Defensively, well, he is just gaurding Ben or PJ. Not much of a chore. The thing about Webber that is underated is that despite lack of foot speed, he does know where to be, and that is more than half the battle.

I still think Chicago will manage to rally and win one game in this series. But then again, if the Pistons sweep the series that will hardly surprise me. GO PISTONS!!!!!

It's hard to find much to complain about from this game. I just checked again and Flip had 2 assists in 7 minutes. Everyone played a part and we rolled 11 men.

Minutes were down (rest), we made our FTs, we won the battle of the boards, Maxiell had a nice scoring game, Hunter had 6 assists off the bench, Sheed fought through bad shooting to have a decent line.

And we never got too goofy or bogged down.

This is a BIG wakeup for the Baby Bens. They were probably still feeling pretty good about beating the Heat. I expect a much better effort from them in Game 2.

__________________
Competition is merely the absence of oppression.
- Frédéric Bastiat

Reckoned that I've missed this "D" for two seasons, would like to borrow what Big Ben told JMax after the game, "Good job". Keep coming, Deeeeeeeeeetroit.

Great game by the Pistons! I was very, very impressed with the bench this game. Couple of bench highlights:

Delfino grabs the rebound, and then hits the reverse jam. Awesome!

Maxiell with the dunks AND the midrange jumpers! Amazing!

Dice with the rebounding, and the beautiful outside shooting. I'm out of superlatives!

I expect the Bulls to adjust and put up a fight in game two. Pistons shot the lights out, and the Bulls (thanks to the Pistons D) were ice cold.

I'm waiting for the nba broadband highlights

I guess this game answers the question of which team would be most affected by the long layoff. The young team apparently could not regenerate the smooth flow of a week ago. I imagine they will be a lot better organized and in better ryhthm for game 2.

FlipS & Company did a wonderful job in having the Bull scouted and the Stones prepared.

Great game. I missed the first half, but was very impressed with the first half box score.

I disagree with most on a better performance by the Bulls in game 2. I believe it will be another beat down. However, they will come out firing in Chicago and win game three for their only victory of the series.

VCR? Tape it?

Ahhh, the difference? there is No Shaq or NO Wade waiting 4 us!!!