Carlisle always coaxes a nice low scoring affair that keeps his team in it. If the Pistons made better decisions down the stretch it might not have been so close, but they didn't and escaped with the W. There is something to be said for playing like you have a paperbag with no eye holes over your head and still stealing a road game. What can be said, I'm not sure, but something for sure.
I was pretty pleased with this game. Flip made a lot of roster moves, getting several players significant burn. Although people flinch when Hunter shoots a 3, he's made over a 1,000 in his career and it's a shot he can hit particularly if he is feeling it. Besides, the havoc and mayhem he wreaks on defense usually keeps the other team from exploiting those long misses.
The main sore spot was Ben's continued atrocious free throw shooting. He's actually regressing to a sub 30% shooter. It is absolutely amazing that his shots look worse than mine considering he is 12" taller than me, is a professional baller and has taken several thousand more free throws than I have. I can't help but get an uncomfortable feeling that Ben is going to hurt this team one day with his inability to make bunnies. I worry that it could happen in a crucial moment. I hope I am wrong.
Another guy who is regressing is Chauncey. Man, he's lost all of that pre-All Star poise and discipline. He's forcing bad shots, not involving his teammates etc. I was pleased to see him in the paint grabbing some boards (yes, guards can board, ask JKidd or Bonzi Wells). Still, his game is wildly inconsistent night to night. And his 4th quarter handles are extremely suspect. This cats gotta get on track and fast.
Dice was an absolute man. How many teams can boast a consistent double double threat off the bench? What a luxury to have.
Bring on the Nets. I wanna see Hunter vs. JKidd.