Wow, lapea! What a re-cap! How great was it to have awesome seats for a Pistons road beat-down of the team with one of the best records in the league, eh?

I love the stuff about the warm-ups. Also Abdenour and Carlos' gum.

Sprocket belatedly says (sorry, just couldn’t stay up late enough)…

On New Year’s Eve the Pistons lost to Phoenix with Chauncey Billups out with a bad wheel. Last night the Pistons only got thirteen minutes from Billups who injured a groin muscle at the 4:50 mark of the second quarter and left the game for the duration. What they did get last night though was a brilliant game from Flip Murray who shot twelve for sixteen from the field (only taking three three-point shots) and added six steals on his way to a team high twenty-five points. Add in a strong game from Carlos Delfino (5-6 FG, 2-2 from 3, 7 boards, and a steal) and you get the Phoenix announcer observing at the four minute mark of the fourth quarter “36 points from Murray and Delfino, how can you win?”.

The Suns edge out early, holding a four point lead for most of the first quarter, broken only by a late Pistons 9-2 surge (following an 8-0 Suns run) that cuts the quarter ending margin to two. The Pistons commit five of their whole game nine turnovers in the first quarter and both teams show how they want to play. Phoenix doubles Webber quickly in the post, not allowing him to just stand with the ball and survey the floor. Billups pushes the ball to the hoop against Nash, either off the dribble or from the post. The Pistons do not commit a foul in the quarter. Flip had a nice sunburn going most likely from a couple of days on the golf course.

The Pistons start the second strong with a Webber reverse dunk capping a five to two run over the first couple of minutes. The Suns come back with Stoudemire hitting a very tough double clutch jumper over Sheed after a Hamilton three. The Pistons begin to steadily outscore the Suns, pushing the lead to four, then fix until Billups injures himself on a crossover dribble at the three point line. He leaves the game immediately holding his thigh and a collective shiver falls on the faithful. The Pistons hold the five point lead they have when Billups leave for the rest of the quarter. Delfino gets away with a walk and Flip Murray, back in the game for Billups, starts to feel it (four for six in the quarter).

The Pistons score twenty-four in each of the first two quarters, but hold the Suns to seventeen (on 5-15 shooting) in the second to take a five point lead at the half. The Pistons shoot 53% in the first half and the Suns 49%. The Suns cannot get it going from behind the three point line and end the half one for nine. The Pistons by and large eschew the three, taking only five in the first half and making two (both by Sheed who shoots two for three from behind the line).

The third opens much as the second ended. The Pistons five point margin, which they first gain around the middle of the second quarter holds until fairly late in the third then they break out for an eleven to four run to take a nine point lead at the break. Inside the third it’s all Flip Murray who shoots six for eight with a three, one assist, two steals, and no turnovers, playing all but the final possession of the quarter. Hamilton and Prince are three for eleven in the third, adding to their three for eight first half. Wallace and Webber carry the load though, shooting ten for eighteen over the first three quarters.

The fourth is all Pistons as runs of five to nothing, eleven to two, and seven to nothing put the Suns away for good. All Pistons that is except for the mystery tech called against Sheed around the eight minute mark. When Delfino tips in a missed shot around the six minute mark to complete his shooting night five for six, a Phoenix announcer yells “who is this guy?”. The Pistons shoot 59% in the fourth after a 50% third to end the game at 54% from the field (57% from three, though only 47% from the line). Sheed gets a bit angry toward the end and takes it out on the Suns, stealing the ball near halfcourt and dribbling in before an over the head pass leads to a Flip Murray dunk. By the time the Suns’ human victory cigar (Burke) enters the game at the 4:49 mark it’s all over but the shouting.

In the end, it’s a pretty simple game if you hit shots and don’t allow the Suns to run. The Pistons have eight turnovers in the first half, but only one after the break. Few of the nine enable the Suns to run though as most require them to take the ball out of bounds. Murray and Delfino befuddle the Suns most of the game, and some new defensive schemes befuddle them the rest of the time. Saunders outcoaches D’Antoni and all that’s left is to remember that it’s just one game.

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Nice recap lpod. I love the live ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapeapod The Suns just can’t run and gun and they start getting impatient. I’ve never seen so many traveling calls in my life and that’s because the Suns are in such a hurry to get something going and they just can’t figure out why they are open one minute and the next there’s someone contesting their shot.

Yep, good observation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapeapod Other observations. In the 3rd quarter with a Flip Murray substitution in, Tay was on the floor and he thought that Flip was substituting for Delfino. It turned out he was being the one to sit and he instantly put a dark scowl on his face and went to the bench clearly annoyed. Flipper immediately walked down to the end of the bench where Tay was sitting and mouthed, “I’ll get you back in very soon”.

Not the only time this has happened. My POV is that Prince is the main guy who plays too many minutes, and he always pouts when he gets taken out.

Post game Audio

Mike D'Antoni

Flip Murray

Flip Saunders

Attached Files

	mike-dantoni_031607.mp3 (1.90 MB, 7 views)
	flip_murray_031607.mp3 (3.61 MB, 3 views)
	flip-saunders_031607.mp3 (4.59 MB, 5 views)

Great recap of the Suns game and greaaaat win.

My only concern, looking at yahoo sports on line, Did Flip kep the starters in the game too long even after it was obvious that this was a blowout.

It appeared that D'Antonini start bringing in his scrubs at the 4 minute mark of the 4th qtr. Webber, Sheed, Hamilton and others were not taken out of the game.

Lets save a freak injury if this was the case Flip.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated if Flip in fact left his starters on the floor too long.

Hope I didn't watch the game last night through rose colored glasses, but I could not see much wrong with the Piston activities. Of course, I did not want CB to go down but Flip played extremely well. He will get a chance to get some minutes now, which should be good. CB will be fresher when he returns in plenty of time for the post season.

Phoenix could not get much going, really, and showed their impatience. The good minutes by Carlos and Flip were welcome.

I can't get one of the stations that broadcast the Pistons up here, my Dish does not carry it and it is HiDef, anyway. They do not broadcast in a way that I can get. So, I don't get all the games, but I think the Pistons are ready right now. Hope they do not get stale in the next few weeks.

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Nice caps all...and thanks lapeapod for yet another first hand cap by the Pistons out-o-town faithful.

I didn't see the game when first broadcast, but caught some of TV20's replay at 1am while dozing on & off. Jr had a GREAT night. It was nice to see him drive to the rim in transition...something we don't see much from CB. Granted, it was against a porous D, but still a refreshing change of pace. He also played some great D. I was expecting the worst after CB went out, especially considering we're also without Lindsey until after the SA game, but Jr really stepped up to plate. And, as was said before, it wasn't just because of a great shooting night...he looked very much in control across the board...not something we're used to seeing. He should get some more extended minutes with CB probably being out for a few games, so let's see if he can keep last night's rythym with some consistency.

I don't know if yall caught his postgame interview, but he seemed almost sheepish about sitting there with Kelser & Blaha...for probably the first time this season. My take is that he didn't get a big head after having a great game and knows he still has a lot of work to do to gain respect from Detroit fans. That is his challenge and I hope he makes the best of it coming up to the playoffs...he could be a valuable piece if he wants to be.

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When was the last time the Pistons swept a 5+ game West coast trip? I think it was back in the early 90's.

It was a great accomplishment to go out there and do what they did after losing those 2 at home. All about the bench last night and that was great. We did not have a bench 2 years ago.

Not only to win them all, the only close game was at Seattle. Go out there and sweep the superior West and end it by blowing out their fully healthy best team. Definetly going to make the Suns think twice if we do see them in the Finals. Suns have not been in the Finals since 1993 so thats going to play in if that series happens.

About time Flip Murry had a game like that. Kept hearing that he was capable of that and he finally was able to step up and deliver. If Hunter was active Murry never would have had that game.

Correction looks like Dallas has the best record in the West now. As it happends we get to see them this Sunday...

Berbs...go to NBA.com and sign up for League Audio Pass. Its about $20 for the entire season and playoffs and you can listen to every NBA game. You do need broadband, however.