[box score] Make that 9 times in a row the Pistons have beat the Magic. Detroit was again with out Richard Hamilton who celebrated the birth of his son (not daughter, like it was previously reported).
The game was close in the first half, then the Pistons went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter opening up a 19 point lead and never really letting up from there. The Pistons kept Orlando’s big 2 Rashard Lewis & Dwight Howard in check with the dou combining for 37 points.
Again no Rip was no problem for the Pistons. Against the the Heat Tayshaun stepped up his effort, and this time everyone in a blue jersey kicked it into high gear. The Pistons really showed off their new depth in this one. We had 6 guys score in double digits. The benched scored 45 points led by Flip Murray’s team high 19 points.
Are the Pistons better without their leading scorer Hamilton? Don’t be ridiculous, but it’s awful assuring to know that when teams are playing Rip close off the screens and curls that we have guys waiting to keep those teams honest.
GAME NOTES:
- Did you know that this is the first time the Pistons have started the season with two straight road wins since 1975? Of course not, no one knew that.
- I now declare the state of Florida property of Pistons Nation!
- The Pistons went 11 deep in this game
- We shot 58.9%, big improvement from the last game
- We won the board war 42-34
- Flip Murray outscored the Magic bench 19/17
- Flip not only scored a bunch, but was also in a giving mood notching 5 assists
- Sheeeeed: 16 pts, 7 rbs, 3 blks, 2 stls
- Chauncey dominated the smaller Jameer Nelson scroing 18, assisting 7 and grabbing 6 rbs
- Jarvis Hayes chipped in 11 point (3/5 3pt) and 6 rebounds
- Tay had another nice game, 17 points & 6 assists
- Amir Johnson entered the game late. He looked good getting 4 boards& a block in just under 5 min.
- The Pistons, Saunders said, were calling Hamilton “Wally Pipp” in the locker room after the game, a reference to the Yankees first baseman who sat out a game and never regained his job. Some guy named Gehrig took it. (via Pistons.com)
Stan Van Gundy on the game:
“We couldn’t stop them, we couldn’t score on them and we couldn’t rebound with them. . . . And that’s how far right there we have to go to play with the best teams in the East,”
Chauncey joking about Wally Pipp’s Rip’s return:
“I don’t know, man, I don’t know. We are 2-0 without him.”
