Via Detroit Free Press:

“He’s high-energy, he’s very enthusiastic, he plays hard — he’s borderline out-of-control at times,” coach Flip Saunders said. “… But you’ve got to like his enthusiasm. He’s really well-liked by the players.”[…]

Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace said the only nickname he’s come up with for Brezec so far is “gangsta.”

Told that Brezec was seen jogging through the streets of Indianapolis during the time when most players are just waking up from their afternoon naps, Wallace said, “See, that’s gangsta.”

Turns out Brezec just wanted to get to a nearby Starbucks for a hot chocolate before the first bus left for Conseco Fieldhouse.

I don’t know about you, but I like this guy!

You had to believe after being beat by the second quarter at the Palace the Pacers would regroup and defend their gym in the second game of a home-and-home series. And they did.

This isn’t the team that battled the Pistons a few years back for Eastern Conference supremacy but that doesn’t mean they’re not still a prideful team. They got back to playing at least some defense and Jermaine O’Neal (20 pts. / 11 rbs. / 5 asts. / 2 blks.) seemed to really get up to playing the Pistons for the second straight game. Not bad for a guy who was a game time decision for the first game.

Rodney Stuckey got a chance to hone his role with the Pistons in his 17 minutes where played both guards spots at different times in the game. His minutes came in crucial points in this close game and Stuckey was up to the task and playing aggressively. He scored 9 points on 3/8 shooting to go along with his 2 assists and 3 rebounds. But, more importantly than his box score results was the fact he was able to spell Mr. Big Shot for the 4th quarter push.

The Pacers kept it close the whole game but the Pistons knew what to do come crunch time.  Rip Hamilton scored 10 of his game high 24 points in the final quarter.  A key Rasheed Wallace steal on Kareem Rush and the ball in the hands of the Pistons closer, Chauncey Billups, helped the Detroit earn a 6 point victory at Indianapolis’ Conseco Fieldhouse.

Blowouts are easy on a the nerves but you need close games to stay sharp.

Game Notes:

• The Pacers came into this series a game above .500 and come out a game below. They’re now 8.5 games behind the Central leading Pistons which is the 2nd largest division lead behind the Celtics’ 10.5 game lead over the Raptors in the Atlantic
• This was the Pistons 4th straight win over the Pacers and 10th in the last 15 games Vs. Indy
• Richard Hamilton was perfect from the 3 point line these last two games going 5/5. That’s a real testament to Rip’s work ethic being that the long ball wasn’t a skill he brought to the table when the Pistons traded for him back in 2002. His ability to make that shot makes him even more deadly in the mid range.

[Box score] munchies:

• Rasheed: 10 point/10 board double-double to go along with a pair of blocks and steals
• Rip: 24 points on 9/15 shooting. Two game series: 47 points on 59% shooting
• Jarvis Haye: 7 points on 3/4 shooting & 6 boards Two game series: 20 points on 80% shooting
• Chauncey: 17 points, 7 assists, 3 steals
• 82.4% free throwing