[box score] It ugly game for both teams most of the game but the final minutes had some redeeming drama. Unfortunately for the Pistons the game winners didn’t drop.
I expected more from two teams that had been averaging over 100 points per game, and especially from the Pistons with the way they’re been playing and considering they’re usually money on the second game of back-to-backs.
The Pistons were lucky to even be in this game after the opening half they had. They shot a measly 27% from the field and were out rebounded 19-28. They scored a season low 33 points for the half, this after scoring 37 in the first quarter the night before. Despite all that they were only down by 5 at the half.
A couple things helped the Pistons stay close. For one Houston was having the worst free throw shooting night I’ve ever seen. They missed 11straight free throws. At one point in the game they were 1/15 and don’t think their crowd didn’t let them know it. They finished the game 6/22 from the line, that’s 27.3%! Turnovers also helped the Pistons stick around. Houston committed 12 for the game, but 8 of them came in the first half.
The third quarter started slow for the Pistons and they dug themselves a 14 point hole. Being the resilient team Detroit is they went on a 12-2 run and finished the quarter down by only 2.
The 4th quarter seen the Pistons again behind the eight ball or more like 8 points behind with 1:22 to go. The Pistons fought back draining back-to-back three pointers by Sheed and Rip to cut the lead to 2. After Houston failed to convert the Pistons got two good looks at three pointers by Chauncey and Rasheed for the win but it just turned out to be one of those nights. Rasheed was instrumental to the comeback scoring 11 of his team high 21 points in the quarter.
GAME NOTES:
Dice down: Half way through the 4th quarter Antonio McDyess went down grimacing in pain. At first in looked as if he was holding onto his knee, but it was actually his left ankle that rolled when he landed on Rasheed Wallace’s foot after trying to contest a Yao Ming dunk. Dice went to the lockers room with trainers and had the ankle taped up and actually returned for the Pistons futile final possession. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News is saying the Pistons will re-examine him today.- The Pistons are now 0-2 in their throwback unis.
- Pistons only ended up with 36% shooting on the night
- Rasheed and former Jailblazer’s teammate Bonzi Wells both picked up technicals for some competitive jawing in the 4th qtr. Rasheed: “He came up into me, and it’s a tech on me. It’s all right. I gotta get that rescinded.” (via Detroit Free Press)
- Rasheed fouled out in the 4th quarter
- The Rockets were deplorable at the line but the Pistons at 59% have nothing to feel good about either
- Maxiell with 9 points and 13 boards off the Pistons’ bench
- Rip and Chauncey combined to shoot 37%
- Jarvis Hayes shot 0-4
- Tracy (that’s a girl’s name) McGrady scored 29 pts but went 0/5 from the charity stripe
- Flip Murray: 1/5 shooting, 0/4 free throws, 2 turnovers
QUOTES:
Rasheed on foul calls:
“Ticky-tack fouls, this man’s (Yao’s) 300 pounds, and they talk about how I bodied him up. I fouled him with the body. What the hell, I’m supposed to let him get to the lane?” (via: Detroit Free Press)
Rasheed on the Dec. 23rd rematch with Houston:
“We are going to bust their butts next time, they aren’t going to have Dick (Bavetta, referee) and those cats to help them.” (via: Detroit News)
