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Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers
March 24th, 2006 ~ 7:00pm
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: NBATV, tv20 Detroit, Raptors NBATV Canada (Windsor Cable # 154)
Radio:WDFN

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Your Comments??

GUESS THE SCORE!!

Pistons win 75-72 - Break the 55 win barrior
http://www.nba.com/games/20060324/DETIND/boxscore.html?nav=scoreboardhome

And these pics are not a true indication of the depth of the Pacers lineup. No Artest, maybe JO? And Sarunas definitely will be contibuting off the bench. Not sure whether AJ will be starting by then either.

The Pacers starting lineup Wednesday was Anthony Johnson-Stephen Jackson-Peja Stojakovic-Jeff Foster-David Harrison, with Tinsley, Granger, and O'Neal coming off the bench. As for the "Sarunas definitely will be contributing off the bench", well, all of that came true except the "definitely will be contributing off" part. Jasikevicius has fallen out of the rotation for generally sucking.

The Pacers starting lineup Wednesday was Anthony Johnson-Stephen Jackson-Peja Stojakovic-Jeff Foster-David Harrison, with Tinsley, Granger, and O'Neal coming off the bench. As for the "Sarunas definitely will be contributing off the bench", well, all of that came true except the "definitely will be contributing off" part. Jasikevicius has fallen out of the rotation for generally sucking.Had you even looked at the date of the post, you would have known the pics. Truth about Sarunas, though.

The Stats are current.

I hate the Pacers.

with Dallas' loss last night, and the spurs loss on Wednesday night, we've got an opportunity to create a little breathing room with a win tonight.

there's no question that we are the better team and should be able to win even on their home floor. but obviously the pacers are motivated (they hate us too, and they are still jockeying for playoff position: big difference between playing NJ in the first round and Miami), they always play us tough, and their defensive intensity will help create a playoff style tempo and atmosphere.

all in all, the game presents a superb opportunity for the Pistons to build on what they did in the 2nd half against Miami, to develop some of the facets of their game they'll need come playoff time, and to send a message to EC foes that nobody really has a chance against us in the EC playoffs.

Now we'll see if they actually show up to capitalize on the opportunity...

We really need to win this game.

First, make it a statement game to J O'Neal. Let him understand that he just cannot say stuff on national tv that he like their chances playing us in the playoffs. In addition, a win for Pistons will indirectly letting O'Neal know that the only way that the Pacers can beat us is to play without him (since the only time they beat us this season is without him).

Second, a loss for the Pacers means that it may eventually pushes their seeding to 7th in the conference. If it happens, it means they will play the Heat in the 1st round. Even if the Pacers can't beat the Heat, at least they will play them tough throughout the series. It may take 6-7 games to decide the winner. Then, Heat have to face the other bogey team, the Nets in the ECSF. The Nets always play them tough. Another series that might go to 6-7 games. By then, the Heat especially Shaq will get be so tired to face the Pistons.

ECF, Pistons to beat Heat in 5 games if Heat have to go thru Pacers and Nets. Pistons in 6 if the Heat go thru other teams.

Back to this game, as usual, keep them off the offensive boards and play DETROIT BASKETBALL DEFENSE, we shall win this game pretty easy.

This game will have the same intensity we saw in the wednesday game with Miami. I think the Pistons will have more energy in this game than the last time they played in Indy.

Last game in Indy was on the 2nd night of a back to back, and in the 2nd half Detroit tanked it and Indy rode their energy to a win. I do look forward to seeing German play and see how both teams Match up in a intense battle. This game will be close and the first team to 80 or 90 will win this game.

I think this game of course is much bigger for the Pacers, and it will show guys will come out playing with a bunch of energy and will jump on the Pistons early, it will level out and I expect Detroit to pull this one out in the end. The team who rebounds better might decide the game, the Pistons can't allow the offensive boards to be taken away again, so I have the Pistons 89 Indy 84.

GO PISTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to see J.O held to under 10 points and a double digit victory. That would be SOOOO satisfying!

I aint studding Oneal because he's the most overrated player in the league. What has he done? Has he ever been the difference in any game he ever played against us? All we had to worry about was Artest and reggie goin off. Tinsley is the biggest sissie in the league and he fears Chauncey. I'm dying to see the Pacers in a series. The game tonight means nothing ...except to stay up on the Spurs...
Great loss by the Mavs last night. They have only 2 more losses to spare cause we aint losing 18 games this year, my bruddah!:fingerscr

with Dallas' loss last night, and the spurs loss on Wednesday night, we've got an opportunity to create a little breathing room with a win tonight.

I caught most of the Dallas game last night. Man, what a finish! Dallas is a solid team, and they were playing without several key guys.

I caught most of the Dallas game last night. Man, what a finish! Dallas is a solid team, and they were playing without several key guys. jAM. i'm probably the only black man that knows u use the montreal Canadians logo. I grew up watching a lot of "Hockey Night in canada" on CBC and my favorite players were 'The Flower' and Larry Robinson. I was also a big Steve Shutt fan...How ya like me now, Jack?:popcorn: :yo:

Open da Chatttttttttttttttttttt!!! LOL!:laugh:

Okey doke.

Chat is open!
Although it may be lonely in there until 7:00.

** Information Link ** (http://www.pistonsforum.com/news/853-pistonsforum-com-game-chat-debut.html)

Just thought I would also mention that Matt and Ian @ Detroit Bad Boys are doing another one of their live recaps. You will definitely want to check that out if you miss the game and cannot make our chat.

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-03-24/pistons-travel-to-hooserville/

Okey doke.

Chat is open!
Although it may be lonely in there until 7:00.

** Information Link ** (http://www.pistonsforum.com/news/853-pistonsforum-com-game-chat-debut.html)There i gooooooooooooooooooo

The game is on, CHATTERS, WHERE ARE YOU ???!!!

jAM. i'm probably the only black man that knows u use the montreal Canadians logo. I grew up watching a lot of "Hockey Night in canada" on CBC and my favorite players were 'The Flower' and Larry Robinson. I was also a big Steve Shutt fan...How ya like me now, Jack?:popcorn: :yo:

Awesome!

When I was little, my father used to ask me "What does Guy Lafleur do?" and I'd respond "He shoots, he scores!".

I'm a bit younger. My all-time favourite Hab is Patrick Roy. It was a sad, sad day when he was shelled by Detroit and then demanded a trade. Looks like history is repeating itself with Theodore being dealt the the very same Avs.

Jeez, we have got to get something in the paint. 6 Pistons - 32 Pacers as of 6:03 left in the fourth.

:doh:

Can't complain about anything else coz we're winning.

Delfino 7 points and 2 rebounds and 11+ minutes and counting.

Good "D" by Delfino. ASB was asked on radio why Delfino doesn't play more. His take was that Flip is more comfortable with Evans as he coached him before i.e. there is no logical reason other than preference.

Lack of pts in the paint is worrisome. Flip has to stop with the jump shooting when things are not going in.

Dang we had to hold on to win this one scoring just one point in the last 4 mins. Bad shot selection and the refusal to go inside almost cost us a victory that should have been by 20 pts, based on the Pacers ineptness in the third Qtr. Well...I guess all of the road victories can't be easy, so we will take it.

Good bench production from Dice and Hunter, but the former took too many jumpers instead of driving and Hunter fell in love with the three ball ala Delk and then he and Billups spent to much time dribbling in the 4th qtr. :doh:

I am glad that Flip brought in Delfino and Davis to experiment with the bench, but now he needs to get somebody to practice going inside. SIX points in the paint will not win many playoff games. 9 assists by CB, but bad play selection down the stretch in crunch time.

Home cooking the next two games....no let ups, take all prisoners!!!

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.

This game really showed that you can call a dog a cat all you want, but in the end the dog will show. In the begining what we saw was a high scoring fun offensive team that can play some D. That dog was meowing, but you are what you are. The Detroit Pistons folks are a rugged so what I can't score defensive team. That is what they are, you can't put syrup on poop and call it pancakes.

There offense is their Defense, The last two games you saw how Detroit likes to play, and how they will play when the lights come on in the playoffs. They're soe teams that can't defend and the Pistons will score all day, but when it comes down to it the D will show and that cat can't be a dog.

Give props to the bench tonight they really steped up and did the work.

Micro, just posted my concerns on the other board and came hear to read your post saying the same thing. Right, Ben has to do something about the free throw shooting. And Chauncey's head is just not into it. Some really poor decisions lately. On the other hand, this team just coasts and (usually) keeps winning. I am a bit concerned that the offense has not looked as sharp. Hope it is not a trend.

Micro, just posted my concerns on the other board and came hear to read your post saying the same thing. Right, Ben has to do something about the free throw shooting. And Chauncey's head is just not into it. Some really poor decisions lately. On the other hand, this team just coasts and (usually) keeps winning. I am a bit concerned that the offense has not looked as sharp. Hope it is not a trend.

- Just can't win! Its either the defense or offense.

No players perfect. Chauncy had a less than steller game ( especially in the 4th ) it happends. Be thankfull that we have a half-way decent bench this year to help pull the team through. Hunter looks 5 years younger out there. Sitting him for most of the season will insure he is fresh for the stretch run.

Defense has won the past 2 games for the Pistons. A good trend for most.

I liked the ruggedness, the intensity. And Ben on anyone who has only one possible shot to take is never fair. Bench looked good and everyone except the guards got off with a light minutes game. And of course, there was a W at the end.

A couple fewer threes and a couple more plays down low might have turned it into a laugher, but the Pacers know how to play the Pistons and any win down there looks good to me.

I've just come to the realization that we are jump shooting team. Period.

If we make the shots and play Pistons "D" we win by double digits. If we play Pistons "D" and the shots don't fall we have a close one and will most likely have to rely on 4th quarter poise. I like us in that position as well.

I think the defense is near playoff level now. My worries are beginning to subside. Excellent work by Flip on the rotations. (Guess his talk with Dungy helped?).

I'm not worried about the offense. If its one thing that Flip can tinker with and fix its the "O". The only question mark I have now is Flip's abililty to adjust during the playoffs. Crossing my fingers! :fingerscr

By the way, Lindsey was awesome. I've never seen a guard cause that much havoc defensively. Hell, you can't even inbound the ball with this guy...he's nuts!!! Everyone talks about the Pistons "switch". I'm here to tell you that it has a name...Lindsey Hunter. His defense is infectious.

People say Hunter is a situational player. Well here's the situation, we need some D. Put him in.

Is there any hope that Flip is keeping this team from attacking the paint so that opposing teams can't develop counters to our sets? I can't imagine a disciplined, basketball savy team simply unwilling to play inside/ outside. It would be kinda like how the Pistons caught everyone off guard in the early season with the offensive efficiency and mid range attack.

Good point, Slippy. I hope thats the case. I also wondered if injury was a consideration. I totally agree about Hunter and I also think Delfino can be of use in this capacity as well. Some take issue with Hunters' shot selection, but he is is an opponents nightmare and thats good enough for me, but if it's points you want well I know Lindsey has made some huge shots for us in the playoffs. I liked liked the line w/ Lind., Chaun.,Dale, Delf.,Dyess it was probaby the best part of the game. They may not play like that night after night but lets just hope those guys keep getting minutes.

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.
I see ben hit the big ones in games though. he made 1 of the last 2, and the one he missed looked pretty good. I saw a piston practice and ben hit 15 in a row. It's a lot tougher in games though.

I see ben hit the big ones in games though. he made 1 of the last 2, and the one he missed looked pretty good. I saw a piston practice and ben hit 15 in a row. It's a lot tougher in games though.
I don't care if it was the last one he hit, 1 of 8 is just plain pathetic. I LOVE Big Ben, but com'on man.

Hopefully we don't meet the Clippers in the finals. That bang a ben tactic just might work for a game or two. :frusty:

If the Pistons were ever to lose a game in the playoffs because of Ben's free throw shooting, I'd pity that opponent in the next game. Not just for what he'd do, but for what the team would do to back him up.

I liked liked the line w/ Lind., Chaun.,Dale, Delf.,Dyess it was probaby the best part of the game. They may not play like that night after night but lets just hope those guys keep getting minutes.
Indeed. That was a great lineup. They seemed to have an instant chemistry, matching what are usually typical Carlisle team strengths. Defense and rebounding.

Ther are so many cliches about approach, but I have always liked this one as contradictory as it may seem. Attack an enemy's strengths.

If the Pistons were ever to lose a game in the playoffs because of Ben's free throw shooting, I'd pity that opponent in the next game. Not just for what he'd do, but for what the team would do to back him up.
Indeed. Let's just hope it never happens in a Game 7 or elimination match.

I forget the precise stat, but Ben is one of the only players in NBA history to have a grossly disproportionate rebound/scoring differential. I recall reading it in the 05/06 Street and Smith's, and remarking to myself that if he could just make one more bunny on average per game he would no longer hold that record. I believe it was only player to lead the league in rebounding, or have "X" rebounds, or win "X" DPOY awards and never average 10 PPG.

This is why Ben is such a poor FT shooter. This offense is alot like the Cola's gameplan of Ben standing around and watching everyone else shoot the entire game with the exception of the occasional lob or put back. The last two seasons, with Ben as a more often included piece of the offensive puzzle, he was becoming more comfortable as an offensive player and we saw his FT % improve.

However, now that we have gone back to being a strictly jump shooting team, Ben hardly ever gets an opportunity to toss the ball at the basket, hence, no offensive rhythm or ability to get a feel for shooting the ball in gametime. Needless to say, dunking off lobs does nothing to improve your form or follow through or give you any repetitions to get comfortable with.

I know some fans would rather Ben never shoot the ball in gametime unless he's tossed an 'oop or picks it up close enough to jam. But, the decrease in foul shooting will stand as long as he's not involved in the offense.

I'll agree with that Low... we have to be careful not to isolate Ben out of the offense too much... it becomes a 4 on 5 situation... Ben has had some touches... he just doesn't look comfortable with the ball... he usually does a quick pass or one of his pattened slop drives.... his touches in the post has gone way down this year. That was a sacrifice that LB was willing to make and it was starting to pay dividends late in the year.
I'm hoping they'll use Ben more with back screens and rolls to the bucket... makes ya wonder how important home court is vs. bench development and working on Ben's game... Ben's offensive contributions (or lack of) in the playoffs is gonna be something to watch carefully.
Our best bet is to get a three game lead on the Spurs with three games left in the reg season... then let Ben and the bench loose.

Delfino & Lindsey is a nice combo...ball handling and lock down "D"
I absolutely do not miss Arroyo losing the PG battle most nights.... we can get the ball to our reserves without the flashy passes..like uncontested dunks off brekaways.

Delfino & Lindsey is a nice combo...ball handling and lock down "D"
I absolutely do not miss Arroyo losing the PG battle most nights.... we can get the ball to our reserves without the flashy passes..like uncontested dunks off brekaways.

I've been thinking that for quite some time now as well.

Is ben hurt? SOme article mentioned that he's banged up pretty good. I guess its too much to get him to rest a game or two (not against dallas).


I agree about arroyo. Think the combination of Delk, hunter, Delfino, Dyess and davis fits the identity of this team better.