Rodney Stuckey and the Pistons made Christmas Eve Eve a night to remember dropping the Bulls at the Palace {box score}
The game started out in typical Curry 3-guard starting lineup fashion. The Pistons jumped out to a 32-19 lead in the first quarter and maintained a double digit lead going into half time. (NICE) Then after halftime the Bulls went on a 20-2 run to start the third. A lead that had been as many as 19 points in the first half was now down to one. (NAUGHTY) As they say it’s the NBA and everybody makes a run, but it’s happening far too regularly this season. But, even a valiant Bulls run was going to deny Rodney Stuckey of his career night as he put the Pistons on his back and stopped the two game losing skid. (VERY NICE).
Hot Rod eclipsed his previous single game high by 13 points en route to pouring in 40 last night on a very efficient 15/24 shooting. Rodney also had 4 assists and 4 steals besting his matchup with heralded rookie and 1st overall pick Derrick Rose. Rose, whom averages 17 per, was held to 10 points and 5 assists. Rodney was just too strong for the rook to contain resulting in Rose fouling out. There was a lot of pregame hype around Derrick Rose with comparisons to fellow Chi native and Pistons’ legend Isiah Thomas. Not to say he didn’t deserve it either, he’s having a fine rookie campaign, but for last night Stuckey made sure Roses really smelled like boo-boo.
Allen Iverson might sell more game tickets and jerseys, but make no mistake, Rodney Stuckey is the Detroit Pistons brightest star.
Allen Iverson went to the locker room early in the second half with a strained groin, and is now listed day-to-day. Allen went 0/7 from the field in 24 minutes. It’s only the 2nd game of his career without a field goal (the first was 4/2/99). To AI’s credit he did pitch in a team high 8 dimes, helping the Pistons to 26 total.
Jason Maxiell was in all out hustle mode providing the Pistons with a big spark off the bench. J-Max grabbed 6 boards (5 offensive) and sent a couple Bulls shots back return to sender. It’s easy to see why he got no PT vs. Atlanta.*
Jason combined with Tayshaun (14pts, 11rbs, 7 asts) to grab 10 offensive rebounds. Detroit lost the rebounding battle 44-46, but won the war with their 25 second chance points.
Antonio McDyess had a 10 point, 11 board double-double off the Pistons bench and Rip Hamilton chipped in 14 points.
* denotes yule tide sarcasm
Linds passing out some real estate tips?
GAME NOTES: The last Pistons to top the 40 pt mark was Rip Hamilton (51) back in Dec. of 2006 … Hunter planned to stay … Pistons are a perfect 5-0 against the Central Division … GM Billups … Three Bulls fouled out, we’re cool now, right? … Sheed (11 points) picked up his league leading 11th tech, that makes 10 straight games that the Pistons have at least picked up 1 tech …
Saw this on Gorilla Mask and couldn’t help but gank it. Batman pimp schmack’n Robin like the little beotch that he is. What a stupid thing to ask.
