Pistons' streak ends at 6 wins
Okur, Kirilenko power Jazz past Detroit, which is outscored by 17 points in the fourth quarter.
By Chris McCosky

The tank ran dry, frustration boiled over and the Pistons six-game winning streak ended.

All in all, it was another typical night at the Delta Center for the Pistons.

Behind 24 points and 12 rebounds from former Piston Mehmet Okur and 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots by Andrei Kirilenko, the Utah Jazz (9-12) put a 92-78 spanking on the Pistons Monday.

Home at last
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

All Pistons forward Maurice Evans has ever wanted is a chance. Just the simple opportunity to show what he can do, some precious minutes of playing time.

His quest to make it has taken him on an unlikely path, from the NBA to Europe and back to the NBA.

But it's all been worth it. Evans believes he has found a home with the Pistons, and the Pistons like the way he plays off the bench.

Burning questions
Billups deserves USA spot
Colangelo is way off to show interest in Kidd, Hinrich
By Chris McCosky

Q. Why wouldn't Chauncey Billups be considered for a spot on the U.S. national team?

A. I don't know, but it's mind-boggling. As far as we can figure out, Jerry Colangelo (czar of Team USA) has expressed interest in point guards Jason Kidd and Kirk Hinrich.

Is he joking? The Olympics are in 2008. Kidd is slowing down visibly. He might need a walker by 2008. By the way, Billups has had Kidd's number the last two seasons. And Hinrich? Come on.

Blessed backcourt
By Chris McCosky

Isn't it odd the Pistons have the best record in the NBA, were 10-1 on the road before Monday, and still not one team member has been honored by the league?

Richard Hamiltongot 100 points in a week, shot 50 percent, the Pistons won all four games and he wasn't named player of the week.

Chauncey Billups has been at the top of the assist-to-turnover charts all season, had a week in which he scored 64 points (with 29 assists and five turnovers), outplayed Mike Bibbyand Steve Nashand then embarrassed Sebastian Telfair. The Pistons won all three games, on the road. And he wasn't named player of the week.

Basketball 101: NBA fashion police
By Chris McCosky

In the NBA, Big Brother is always watching.

The league has stationed paid observers in every arena. And, the omnipresent NBA Entertainment cameras are always on.
What they're trying to expose are violations of the NBA dress and uniform codes. They even monitor players' deportment during the national anthem.

After a rash of fines levied against teams and players for wearing game shorts too long -- 13 players have been fined $10,000 apiece since the season started -- the NBA Players Association has started to fight back.

Alley oop... to Pistons assistant coach Sidney Lowe

Joanne C. Gerstner's top five - Feeling the heat

Slam dunks



Pistons hit skids versus Jazz
By Krista Latham

Some games are so ugly they belong in a dust-covered box tucked in the corner of a grimy basement.

Out of sight and out of mind, hopefully forever.

Such was the Pistons' 92-78 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

By the fourth quarter, the sound of the officials' whistles elicited sarcastic smiles from the Pistons, smiles that said something along the lines of "un-be-lieve-a-ble." The teams combined for 52 personal fouls, with each team getting 26.

Ben expects better play from himself
By Krista Latham

Ben Wallace has a lot of pride. He isn't one to accept anything but the best from his teammates -- or himself.
That's why Wallace hangs his head and stares at the floor in front of his locker some nights, even after victories, as he did Friday night at Golden State.

Sure, he's happy with the team's record -- 15-3 after Monday night's loss against the Jazz.
He just wishes he had a little more to do with it.

"I'm totally frustrated with my game," said Wallace, after scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, dishing five assists and blocking two shots Sunday against the Clippers. "I'm just not really happy with what I'm bringing to the table right now."





Former Piston Okur rallies Jazz past Detroit 92-78
By A. Sherrod Blakely

The streamers came pouring down from high above, just moments after Utah's 92-78 surprising win over the Detroit Pistons.

That's what happens when you're a bad team, and you just so happen to beat the team with the best record in the NBA.

"They were more aggressive," said Detroit coach Flip Saunders. "Usually the team that's more aggressive gets loose balls, gets calls, a lot of things fall their way."

Turmoil swirls around Eastern Conference foes, Pistons remain stable
By A. Sherrod Blakely


Catching up with the two-time Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons was the focus for both Miami and Indiana when the season began.

As it turns out, both of those teams have bigger issues to contend with these days.
Their troubles may result in Detroit's path back to the NBA Finals being a bit smoother than anticipated.




Back to life: Homecourt advantage returns in Jazz victory
By Tim Buckley

Carlos, Gordan, Deron and Big Rob all were out, and Greg left early.
But The Boss was back.
No, not George. No, not Bruce.
Larry.

With Jazz owner Larry H. Miller back in his usual Delta Center courtside chair for the first time since leaving that very seat to berate his club for its pitiful performance during a Nov. 14 loss to the New York Knicks, the Jazz merely beat the best team the NBA currently has to offer.
Utah's 92-78 victory over Detroit not only handed the 15-3 Pistons just their second road loss of the season, but also restored a little bit of the luster the Delta Center has lacked since lads named John and Karl endeared themselves to Jazz fans in first-name fashion.

Pistons endure a rare unraveling in 3rd loss
by Dana Gauruder

So many things have gone right for the Pistons this season, it's almost surreal to watch them unravel.

On an odd night, Chauncey Billups' 3-point attempts clang off the rims. Shot-blocking attempts by Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace turn into goaltending violations. Tayshaun Prince can't make a free throw and Richard Hamilton's pretty runners get returned to sender.

That's how ugly it got for Detroit in the second half against the depleted Utah Jazz on Monday night. Playing for the third time in four nights, the Pistons let a 13-point halftime lead evaporate and then got outscored 29-12 in the fourth quarter of a 92-78 loss at Delta Center.

Arroyo tries to stick it to his former team
by Dana Gauruder

Carlos Arroyo left the Utah Jazz bitterly disappointed about the way Jerry Sloan treated him last season. He came back to the Delta Center looking for payback.

"Definitely," Arroyo said. "It's something when you play against your old team, you always want to beat them. You try to make a statement."
Arroyo didn't hold any animosity toward his ex-teammates or Jazz fans. He was happy to be back in the place he called home for 2 1 /2 seasons.

"It's nice to come back and see familiar faces and say hi to people that used to show you love," he said. "It's good to see my (ex-)teammates. I want to beat them, talk trash and have fun."

Frustrated Wallace unsure of role
Piston hasn't been his usual shot-blocking, rebounding self, won't use pain as an excuse
By Chris McCosky

Beneath the happy surface of a 15-3 start, a potentially troubling issue is bubbling for the Pistons.

Ben Wallace has not been Ben Wallace.

When Kris Humphries of Utah dunks in his face, posterizes him without much resistance, something is wrong. When the Pistons get outrebounded for eight straight games, including a 55-27 drubbing by the Jazz on Monday night, something is wrong.

When the Jazz get 16 layups and dunks, the night after the Clippers get 19 layups and dunks and score 58 points in the lane, something is wrong.
Not all of that is on him, of course, but when Ben Wallace isn't in the top three in the NBA in rebounds and blocks -- well, he's not being Ben Wallace.


The new Fab Five
Pistons' starters are most balanced, unselfish in NBA history
By Michael Rosenberg

Larry Brown, Flip Saunders, blah, blah, blah.
Coach? They don't need no stinking coach.

"There have been times with Chauncey where I'm getting ready to call a play," Saunders said, "and he calls the exact same play."

In the interest of protecting the Pistons' championship hopes, not to mention the Saunders retirement fund: There are some things the coach needs to do. Like send in a sub every once in a while. Yell at the refs. And, yeah, call some plays and stuff.

Rebounding, Ben's struggles could create drama
by Krista Latham

As the Pistons' main Eastern Conference rivals, Miami and Indiana, dealt with soap operas this week, the Pistons finished 2-1 on the West Coast, moved to 15-3 overall and almost seemed boring in comparison.

True, there's little drama in Detroit, although as coach Flip Saunders points out, there's always something if you want to find it.

"If you want, you can look for drama anytime on any team," Saunders said. "If you really want to, you can look for controversy, you can look for conflict."

OK, then, let's bite. There are two issues -- although small at this point. The first was clear in the Pistons' loss Monday, when the Jazz outrebounded them, 55-27. The second was on display in the locker room, when Ben Wallace said he was unsure what his role is on the team.

Rivals Pacers, Heat have all the drama
by Krista Latham

Not a bad weekend, if you enjoy NBA drama.

First, Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest proved once again that his brain isn't wired straight. He went to the press with his request to be traded, saying things like, "I like coach (Rick Carlisle) as a person, I just don't like playing for him."

Then Miami president Pat Riley shocked no one when he succeeded suddenly family-focused Stan Van Gundy as coach of the Heat.

You'd think this could only help Detroit. While their rivals regroup, the Pistons can keep floating along, unhindered by strife.

Far cry from last season, ain't it?

CATCHING UP WITH ... Chris Kaman

GETTING PERSONAL WITH ... Jason Maxiell

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Pistons' board work leaves much to be desired
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Moments after the Detroit Pistons' humbling 92-78 loss at Utah on Monday, Carlos Arroyo passed a sheet of paper with the game's statistics to teammate Chauncey Billups.

Billups' eyes quickly gravitated to the rebounding numbers: 55 for the Jazz, 27 for the Pistons. Billups shook his head in disbelief.

He's not the only one dumbfounded by what has been the one kink in the Pistons' superb start this season.



Central solid from top to bottom
NBA's Central Division loaded with talent, potential
By Kelly Dwyer

The Pistons are on top with a 15-2 mark, they've won six straight and Chauncey Billups is playing out of his mind. Averaging 18.2 points and 8.3 assists in just 34 minutes a game, Billups is shooting 44 percent from the floor and relishing the freedom that Flip Saunders' offense provides.

Billups still appears to be the most "in-charge" player in the NBA, especially now that Tim Duncan grew his hair out. He exudes cool and confidence and should have no problem making his first All-Star team.

The Big Score
Twenty-two years ago, on Dec. 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. It was, and remains, the highest-scoring game in NBA history.

Before they were the Bad Boys, Isiah and the Pistons were a high-scoring machine.

186-184. 370 total points.

(I remember seeing the game on TV, and I still don't believe it. Can you imagine? Both teams attempted a total of four three-pointers.)

~Detroit News~

Goggled Wallace sees way past Kings
By Chris McCoskey

Ben Wallace was back and he was wearing red goggles.

"He looked like Blankman," Chauncey Billups joked, referring to the old Damon Wayans movie. "I don't know what that was about."

Well, according to Wallace, it was about energy.

"Magic glasses," Wallace joked. "They bring energy."


Wallace meets with Saunders
By Chris McCoskey

Pistons coach Flip Saunders has spoken with Ben Wallace. He has heard his complaints. And, guess what? He agrees with him.

"He's not saying he doesn't know what his role is," Saunders said before the Pistons played the Kings Wednesday. "Everybody in this league knows what Ben's role is. He was frustrated with the way we played (at Utah Monday). We did not play (our game). We were unorganized. We played one-on-one basketball. We did not move the ball. That's not us.


BKN Kings Pistons
-Associated Press

Chauncey Billups had just one thing on his mind after one of the best games of his career: What was the deal with Ben Wallace's clunky red goggles?

"I don't know what that was - he looked like Blankman,'' Billups said, referring to Damon Wayan's dorky superhero character in the movie of the same name.

Billups scored 28 points and a career-high 19 assists in the Detroit Pistons' 109-98 win over Sacramento Wednesday.


~Detroit Free Press~

Billups empowers Pistons
By Chris Silva

Give Chauncey Billups the ball, and the Pistons will score.

That was the theme against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Billups had a golden touch. When he took a shot, chances were it would go in the hoop. When he passed to a teammate, chances were that player would score.


PISTONS CORNER: Ben Wallace boggles in red goggles
By Chris Silva

Why in the world was Ben Wallace wearing red protective goggles Wednesday night?

"They bring me a lot of energy," was all Wallace said after his five-point, 17-rebound, five-block performance against Sacramento.

Wallace wore his trademark Afro for the first time this season, but he also donned funky red goggles that made him look a bit odd, to say the least.


~MLIVE~

Pistons cruise to win against Kings
By A. Sherrod Blakely

When Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace wore some goofy-looking goggles during warm-up drills on Wednesday, you had a feeling the Pistons were going to have some fun.

Those feel-good vibes before the game continued throughout the night as the Pistons took control late in the first half while cruising to a 109-98 win against the Sacramento Kings.


Billups shows his ability as a passer with 19 assists
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Chauncey Billups has made it a point to become a better passer this season.

If there was any doubt about that, it should be put to rest after Billups had one of his best games ever in leading Detroit to a 109-98 win against Sacramento on Wednesday.


~SacBee~

Detour in Detroit
By Sam Amick

On a tarmac runway in Minneapolis, the tiring of the Kings began.

They sat there for an hour late Tuesday night while their plane de-iced, a process not so different from what the Kings had experienced themselves. The ice-cold team had turned hot with a scintillating win over the Timberwolves, momentum returning alongside hope. And then came reality.


~Oakland Press~

Quite a spectacle
By DANA GAURUDER

As owners of the league's best record, the Pistons have the right to look through rose-colored glasses. Still, seeing Ben Wallace donning oversized glasses with red frames made for a strange way to start a Pistons game.

Wallace shed the eyewear after a few minutes, but the Pistons had the look of a champion again, save for a bizarre field-goal drought during the first half. They responded to a streak-breaking 14-point loss to Utah two nights earlier won with a 109-98 win over the Sacramento Kings at The Palace Wednesday.

Rasheed, who laughed at Bulls last time and scored 26 in win, has business-as-usual tone.
By Angelique S. Chengelis

More than likely, the Chicago Bulls have short memories.
It was nearly two weeks ago at the United Center when Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace, seemingly scoring at will in a 92-79 victory, openly laughed on court at the Bulls.

The Pistons play the Bulls tonight at The Palace.

"Don't matter to me," Wallace said Thursday after practice when asked if he thinks the Bulls will come in tonight remembering his laughter. "(I'm) still going out there to play. They can try to bring it, or do whatever. It don't matter to me."


Salad days for state hoops fans
By Michael Rosenberg

Although they had the nerve to actually lose a game, the Pistons have had a wonderful week.

Ron Artest dipped the Pacers into a vat of super-unleaded, then lit a match. Then Heat coach Stan Van Gundy resigned; he now gets to spend more time with his kids and less with Antoine Walker.

And this was all wonderful for the Pistons because it happened to somebody else. That's how they like it. No drama this year. No circus.
Except for all that winning, there is no reason for anybody to pay attention.
But you are anyway.

Rasheed gets last laugh at the Bulls
by Chris Silva

The Chicago Bulls were irked by Rasheed Wallace's joviality and the smile he flashed nearly every time he scored in the Pistons' 92-79 victory Dec. 3 at the United Center.

And Chicago coach Scott Skiles especially took Wallace's actions to heart, saying after the game that if he were still playing, "I would have done something about it."

Well, if the Bulls are still bothered by his 26-point performance, they can do something about it tonight when the teams play at the Palace.



Bulls have extra incentive after experiencing Rasheed's laughter
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace has gotten under the skin of a few people.

The latest group peeved at Wallace are the Chicago Bulls, who were bothered by the way he continually laughed at them during Detroit's 92-79 win in Chicago on Dec. 3, even calling bank shots off the backboard before they went in.

"I would not have taken that very well as a player," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after that game. "I would have done something about it."



For Bulls, it's no laughing matter
They must get tough, Nocioni needs to step up to topple Pistons
By Sam Smith

Ball don't lie! Ball don't lie!

That was the taunt of Detroit's Rasheed Wallace as the Pistons were blowing out the Bulls 92-79 at the United Center earlier this month.
Bulls players clanked free throws during a third-quarter meltdown and missed 17 in the game. Wallace wheeled in for a shot, yelled, "Bank!" and the ball went in. Wallace chortled loudly as he ran back downcourt.

The Pistons flexing their muscle and confidence as early-season championship favorites?

Nothing of the kind. Once again, a team had decided to attack the Bulls' Andres Nocioni, who last season committed an ugly foul--the Pistons called it dirty--on Tayshaun Prince.



Flashback Fridays Celebrate Second Longest Tenured Owner in NBA

The Detroit Pistons will honor William Davidson, the team's majority owner since 1974, on Friday, December 16 when they host the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Davidson's name will be secured on the sidelines of the Pistons court as part of "Flashback Fridays."

By Bill Roose

Rasheed Wallace often is seen as an irritant.
He revels in knowing that he can verbally get to opposing players, coaches and fans.

Yet Wallace, who is sometimes known more for his bad reputation than his 3-point shooting, believes he knows the boundaries when it comes to chatter on the floor.

"I don't talk about nobody's mom, wife or kids," Wallace said. "I just talk about, maybe that person and their game. There is a line, and I don't cross that line. Like I said, I don't talk about no one's parents or family members, kids, nothing."

Kinda goes back to LB's statement about Sheed being the most misunderstood player in basketball.

When I see Sheed laughing on the floor, I truly believe it's cuz he's having FUN with his teammates...not cuz he's trying to mock anyone.

Pistons win another laugher over Bulls
Rasheed Wallace scores 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
A/P

Rasheed Wallace was prepared for any defense the Chicago Bulls tried.
Wallace scored 10 of his 19 points in the third quarter and led the Detroit Pistons to a 110-82 victory over the Bulls on Friday night.

"I knew they were going to come at me," Wallace said. "I could see the double-teams coming, and I just got the ball to the open man."

Wallace even had time to take part in the crowd's "Fire Millen" chant during a late timeout, referring to Detroit Lions president Matt Millen.

"That was all in good fun," said Wallace, who jokingly offered to play quarterback for the Lions earlier in the season. "I hear there's going to be a big march on Sunday, but we'll be out of town."


All business
Pistons don't toy around in blowout of Bulls
By Krista Latham

When the Pistons played Chicago two weeks ago, Rasheed Wallace laughed the Bulls off their home court.

This time, as Detroit methodically picked apart the Bulls, levied a 32-point lead and dominated from start to finish, the Pistons kept smiles, taunts and trash talk bottled.

Why bother? This win came as easily as any.

Big Ben gets back armbands
by Krista Latham

The NBA's new on-the-court dress code might have contributed to Pistons center Ben Wallace's many aches and pains.

The rules state that players can't wear armbands that extend three or four inches beyond their wrists. That means Wallace can no longer pull on the long forearm band he has worn the past few seasons.

But Arnie Kander, the team's strength and conditioning coach, brought the bands back out for Wednesday's game, rationalizing with the league that Wallace needs them as much as a player with a knee problem needs a knee brace.


By Dana Gauruder

The Pistons play just as well on the road as they do at home. Part of the reason is that opposing arenas are starting to sound more like The Palace.

Pistons fans have been following their team around, and Detroit also has gained new fans in other cities because of its style of play. Those extra cheers have helped them build a 10-2 road record.

"Last year, it was never like that," Antonio McDyess said. "They've jumped the bandwagon. After people watched how we played the last two years and showed how much effort we give on the court year in and year out, a lot of people have jumped the bandwagon."


Bulls handed a Motown beating
By Brian Hanley

Rasheed Wallace didn't so much as giggle.

But the Detroit Pistons still won another laugher over the Bulls on Friday, a 110-82 decision in front of a capacity crowd of 22,076 at The Palace.

"They basically, from the moment the ball went up, dominated us all over the floor,'' Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after his team's most lopsided loss of the season. "We had no answer for them early; they got all over the glass, second-chance points. We had one of the lowest-energy nights all season. And when they started playing well, we mailed it in. When you let that team start feeling good about themselves, you're in for a long night.''


Nothing to laugh at
Skiles dismayed by Detroit's dismantling of Bulls

By Marlen Garcia

Pistons steamroll Bulls, sans laughter
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Rasheed Wallace wasn't laughing at the Chicago Bulls like he did the last time the Detroit Pistons played them.

Most jokes aren't quite as funny the second time you hear them.
But the way Chicago played against Detroit was indeed comical, as the Pistons (17-3) had little trouble in defeating Chicago, 110-82.