Game #43: ‘Stonz drop 2nd straight Texas test
Posted by pistonsnation
ROCKETS (108) / Pistons (105) {box score}
Against the Mavericks the Pistons couldn’t score or defend. They stepped up the scoring effort scoring 105 on 56% shooting, but defense was still a big problem as they gave up 108 with Houston shooting 52%.
Early on this game had the makings of a blow out. The first quarter was just brutal for anyone who likes seeing Pistons play defense. At the outset Houston got what ever they wanted inside and out. They moved the ball with ease against the listless Pistons. No one wanted to contest shots on the inside and the Rockets were also getting wide open looks from the outside connecting on 6 treys. When the game clock was merciful enough to have ticketed down the first 12 minutes the Pistons had given up 39 points, a season high for any quarter, on 71% shooting.
The Rockets were without Yao Ming, but did have Tracy McGrady (15 pts, 4asts) and Ron Artest (24 pts, 9 rbs) back in the lineup. Kwame Brown still started despite no Yao but that lasted all of 5 minutes in light of he and Rasheed Wallace providing little interior resistance.
Jason Maxiell’s insertion into the game for Brown was a big reason the Pistons stayed within striking distance. He didn’t have a big stat night but his energy was a difference maker.
The Pistons expended a lot of energy in the second going on a 17-4 run to get within 2 points. This was done mostly with a Rip/Iverson backcourt due to Stuckey picking up 3 quick fouls. Rip (27 pts) had 15 points and 4 assists at the half.
Having 57 points at the half on 59% shooting with only one turnover you’d like our odds, but a inconsistent defensive effort left the Pistons behind the eight-ball.
That was a theme for the game, Houston shooting lights out and the Pistons have to come back from large deficits.
The Pistons actually took a brief lead 68-69 when Iverson split a pair of free throws with 6:40 to go in the third. Free throws were another big hampering factor. The Pistons went 11-20 from the charity stripe.
Amir Johnson, like Maxiell, provided the energy that seemed to be missing from a lot of the guys in home white. Loved seeing Amir get that run out block on Artest in the third that lead to a Stuckey to Rasheed oop.
Rasheed finally came to life for the Pistons scoring 22 and grabbing 11 boards. Early on he was man handling Luis Scola on the blocks, but went away from that later in the game reverting back to 3-point Sheed. After some bad interior defense in the first Rasheed looked to have a semi-animated convo with Coach Curry and then there’s this unencouraging comment about not having his number called in the fourth:
“It wasn’t my call,” Wallace said. “Just got to go with the flow, I guess.” - Det News
As bad as the game could have been the Pistons were hitting enough shots to climb back into the game in the fourth, but bad free throw shooting and giving up extra possessions late really did the Pistons in.
As a subplot Iverson watched the Pistons rally in the 4th from the bench.
“Those are the moments guys like myself live for,” he said. “Maybe (coach Michael Curry) was thinking we had a chance the other way. I trust the decisions he makes just like he trusts the decisions I make out on the floor.”- mlive
Luis Scola (21 pts, 5 rbs), who didn’t miss a shot in the first half, was one of 6 Rockets in double figures.
“It’s sickening,” Detroit’s Antonio McDyess said.
GAME NOTES: Pistons finished with 31 assists … Stuckey 14 points, 8 assists …
This entry was posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 11:21 am and is filed under Game recap, Rockets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I’d like to hear more about what Dyess had to say about it sickening him.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:55 amI’ve looked for more, but as far as I know that’s the complete quote.
Dice is right, it is sickening!! it’s downright making me want to hurl all ova the palace floor.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm