Detroit vs. Golden State

After a week of rest the Pistons were ready to get back on the floor. Some people wondered if this “oddity” in the schedule would cause the Pistons to lose their momentum, but these people were wrong. The first quarter began and for the first time in almost a week the Pistons were playing again. Jason Richardson started the game off fast as he had 12 points in the quarter. The Pistons were able to hang in though as every starter scored. The first quarter was highlighted by a fast-break between Rip and Tayshaun. Tayshaun was running the wing, and Rip was bringing the ball up the floor on a two on one situation. Rip through the ball up and Tayshaun stretched up to through it down with one hand. At the end of the first quarter Detroit was down 25-27.

Jason Richardson continued his scoring ways, because every time he got the ball he scored, but once again this wasn’t a big deal. Why? Well, Baron Davis was held to only two points in the first quarter and so Jason just picked up the slack. McDyess checked into the game and probably had one of the strongest starts he had this season. All of McDyess’s points came from the second quarter, but it was a good help in the scoring column. He ended the quarter with five points. At the half, the Pistons were trailing Golden State by two with the score at 47-49.

The third quarter provided much of the same as the Pistons and Golden State continued to go back and forth. Rip Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring in the third as the Pistons and the Warriors struggled to break away from one another. Rasheed was as important as ever providing an emotional lift as Chauncey hit a key three pointer to make the game tied. But there was still a bunch of time left and the Warriors had called a timeout to regroup, which they did. They came out on a surge and ended the quarter by outscoring the Pistons 27-29 in the third. Golden State led at the end of the third, 74-78.

Now, it was the time for the fourth quarter. Would the Pistons be able to come back from their four point deficit or would Golden State’s Jason Richardson continue his great night. I bet if you were to ask any one from any team, the only person with the guts to answer would be Sheed. It seemed as the fourth quarter started, anything in that quarter was his. Rasheed powered the Pistons to a 32 point quarter as he scored 10 in the fourth. The Pistons went up by as many as six with one minute to go, and Jason Richardson, again would not go away. He hit a three to make it a three point game with about 40 seconds left. On a key possession for the Warriors they drove it down and Sheed forced the turnover. At that point the game was over as Sheed passed the ball down to Ben who jammed the ball to give the Pistons a 106-103 win over the Warriors.

Here are the Pistons Stat leaders for tonight’s game.

Scoring: It has been rare this season, to see Chauncey Billups name as the leading scorer, but there is no question the he can score, because he can. Although Billups has usually been the assist king this season, but we love to see him score 29 points.

Rebounds: Why even look at this one, we know already. Of course, its Big Ben doing what he always does grabbing the boards. He had 10 for tonight’s game.

Assists: Its almost as Rip and Mr. Big Shot switched roles this game as Rip lead all Pistons with 6 assists.

Blocks: There is a three way tie for blocks as Rip, Big Ben, and Sheed each had a block.

Steals: Once again it was Rasheed with the most steals in the game, with one coming at an important time at the end of the game. Sheed finished with 3 steals.