Detroit vs. Portland

Detroit was coming off an amazing double overtime victory versus Memphis so there was no doubt that the starters were going to be very tired. Rip Hamilton started off the game with a 3 to put the Pistons up 3-2 only to shoot two air balls later on in the quarter. He would soon be taken out for Moe Evans. Ben Wallace seemed to be the star of the first. He had a reverse dunk, a follow up stuff, another jam, a block, and a sweet turn-around jumper at the buzzer. He finished the quarter with 8 points, 5 boards, and the Pistons trailed by two with the Trailblazers up 25-23.

Not much changed in the second, other than the fact that most of the starters were out. Joel Przybilla. Sound familiar? Probably not, but he made his presence felt against the Pistons in the second. In the beginning of the quarter, he had already blocked three shots, which unfortunately is all he would get. Then Ben came in and right away had another dunk, and amazingly he was the Pistons main offensive threat. If it wasn’t for the Trailblazer’s sloppy turnovers the Pistons might have fallen behind greatly, but because Portland turned it over so much Detroit was able to hang around in the game. Later on in the quarter, when all the starters had returned, Rip made a lay up, and then Rasheed hit a Way Down Town three to put the Pistons up 46-44. Then Zach Randolph continued his amazing night as he hit a buzzer beater three to put the Trailblazers up by one at the half 47-46.

The third quarter began with a dunk and later Sheed was able to connect with another three to put the Pistons up 58-55. On the very next possession Sheed hit another three to put the Pistons up 61-55. After a Portland run getting the Trailblazer’s back into the game the Pistons turn up the Defense and forced a shot clock violation on the young Blazers. The Pistons would finish the quarter up 71-66.

The fourth quarter would go back in forth a lot showcasing a lot of lead changes. At one point Portland got a four point lead on the Pistons 84-80 before Rip was able to hit consecutive jumpers to get the Pistons tied up. He would follow that up with another two free throws and another 13 foot jumper. He would finish the quarter with 10 points leading the Pistons to a 93-89 win.

Here are tonight’s leaders in the major stat categories:

Scoring: The usual leader in points is up here again. Because of his 10 point quarter in the fourth, Rip Hamilton led all Pistons with 23 points.

Assists: It’s a pattern that can’t be broken; Chauncey led all Pistons again with 10 assists.

Rebounds: He has taken a lot of criticism lately for not performing on the boards or on the defensive side of the court, but I think its safe to say that he is back. Big Ben had another 14 board night.

Steals: Rip Hamilton and Big Ben get the nod for the most steals in this game, with each of them picking 2 pockets apiece.

Blocks: Rasheed, Rasheed, Rasheed, you were in foul trouble, but still able to get 4 blocks.