It appeared as if the Pistons might have had some big game hang over in the first half of the game as they clung to a 4 point 38-42 lead, but things turned around for the Detroiter’s in the 2nd half spurred on by the team’s youth.

Behind the energized play of Arron Afflalo and Jason Maxiell the Pistons defense bullied the Grizzlies into a mere 29 second half points. Memphis was held to a season low field goal percentage at 33.8 and their point total was also a season low. The Pistons forced the Grizzlies into 22 turnovers for the game.

Arron Afflalo had his best game of his young career with 12 points (on 3/4 from the field), 5 boards, and 2 assists in 20 minutes of play.

Rodney Stuckey made his NBA debut with a little under 7 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. He quickly go into the scoring column grabbing a rebound off his own missed shot and putting it in 19 seconds after he entered the game. Stuckey finished with 2 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists. “It was good to get a couple minutes under my belt,” Stuckey said. “I need some practice, though. I’ve got to get my wind back.”

Game Notes:

• In typical Rasheed fashion he heckled Afflalo after the game as the media tried to talk to him prompting Arron to ask “Can we wait until he leaves?“
• Primo Brezec, who enetered the game with Rodney Stuckey, also scored his first Pistons’ points in the 4th qtr. He finished the game with 4 on 2/2 shooting
• Flip Saunders on Afflalo; “He’s got one great talent – he plays hard. And that can be a talent as much as anything. The intensity, how hard he plays and the passion he plays with, that becomes very catchy”
• Amir Johnson played almost 13 minutes. He grabbed 5 boards and had 2 points on a sweet dunk that was assisted by Aron Afflalo
• Dontrelle Willis was at the game and Ryan Fields grilled him about his “man crush” on Rasheed Wallace. He’s going to get sick of that real quick.
• Rudy Gay missed two open dunks after missing two in the first meeting on Dec. 11th
• The Pistons have beaten the Grizzlies 6 straight

[Box Score] munchies:

• Darko had as many first half turnovers (4) as the entire Pistons roster
• Got Defense? The Pistons had 16 steals and 6 blocks
• The Grizzlies never scored more than 20 points in any of the 4 qtrs.
• only 2/12 from beyond the long line for Detroit
• 80% free throwing (Chauncey 10/11, Maxiell 4/4)
• Dice with an 11 pt / 11 board double-double
• 10 of Chauncey’s 14 point came off free throws
• No starter logged more than 31.5 minutes
• Tayhsuan atoned for 2 point (1/10 shooting), 2 rebound performance in Boston with 16 points and 6 boards


More recaps:

• NBA.com: Prince, Pistons rout Grizzlies
  
• Detroit News: Pistons clobber Grizzlies
• 3 Shades of Blue: Post Game Thoughts - Detroit
  

The Pistons (18-7) will host the Grizzlies (8-17) @ The Palace tonight at 8pm est. The game can be seen locally on FSN Detroit.

Grizzlies’ Snapshot
Road record: 3-9
Last game: 12/19 (Weds) W 88-85 Vs. Spurs
Last 10: 3-7
Injuries: Mike Conley, Pau Gasol

This will be the second and final meeting with the Grizzlies. The Pistons beat the Grizzlies 113-103 on Dec. 11th in Memphis in a game that saw the Pistons try to give the Grizzlies an early knock-out punch but to Memphis’ credit they never stopped chipping away at the Piston leads. As a result the Pistons didn’t get the rest they wanted for the second game of a back-to-back with Houston.

Fast forward >> The Grizzlies are still losing more than they’re winning but of late they’ve gotten in some real good wins(both with out Pau Gasol out with a jammed toe). On the 15th they beat the Magic in Orlando 123-119, and they took down the Spurs at home on Wednesday in dramatic fashion with Rudy Gay hitting a walk-off three pointer with Tim Duncan all in his greeel. On Thursday they signed the Mad Ant’s 6′7″swingman Jeremy Richardson who was leading the D-League in scoring with 28.5 ppg to go along with 6.6 rpg. Also of some note Darko Milicic has been a tad depressed “My confidence level right now is really low. It’s horrible,” Milicic said. “It’s weird. I’m with a team now that needs me, and has given me every opportunity to play. I’ve got a nice contract, but for some reason I can’t even do the things I used to do.” Fun Fact: The Grizzlies are the only team averaging 100 or more points a game with a sub .500 record.

Also check out 3 Shades of Blue for a Grizzlies’ fan point of view on tonight’s game.

Rudy Gay’s walk-off 3 to beat the Spurs

[box score] Detroit opened up this game with a 37 point first quarter, their best so far of the season. The start had all the makings of a another Pistons’ blowout but to the Grizzlies’ credit they never quit chipping away at the Piston leads. Being that the Pistons travel to Houston tonight to play the Rockets they probably would have liked to have gotten some rest for the starters but they were needed in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The Pistons had leads of 20+ for much of the night but Memphis was able to hang in and get within 7 in the late stages of the 4th quarter but some timely buckets sealed the win for the Pistons.

The Pistons backcourt were in all-star form for the game. Chauncey Billups put his stamp on the game early scoring 14 points and handing out 6 dimes in the first quarter. Chauncey finished the night with a season high 28 points to go along with 14 assists (with only 1 turn over) for his 4th double-double of the year. He also pulled down 5 boards and got 3 steals. Not to be out done Richard Hamilton scored 27 points on a very efficient 11/16 shooting. Both played heavy minutes; Chauncey with 38 and Rip with 41.

GAME NOTES:

• Chauncey went 12/12 from the free throw line
• Jason Maxiell, starting for Rasheed, scored 15 on 7/8 shooting
• The Pistons had 29 team assists. They’re now 10-0 when they get 25 or more assists in a game. Mom always said it was good to share.
• Tayshaun had 19 (6/6 freethrows) and 7 boards
• Only 8 turnover for Detroit and 50% shooting
• The Grizzlies never led
• Mike Miller scored 0nly 5 points on 1/4 shooting thanks in large part to the defense of Richard Hamilton
• Pistons starting backcourt 55 pts, Memphis’ 8
• Darko scored 12 in the 1st quarter but then was 0 for the rest of the game
• The Grizzlies have now lost 5 straight

The Pistons at 14-6 will be taking a the Memphis Grizzlies who have the reverse record of 6-14. The game will tip off from Memphis’ FedEx Forum at 8pm est and can be viewed locally on FSN Detroit. The Grizzlies are currently on a 4 game losing skid.

Piston Note: Rasheed Wallace sat out of practice Monday to take treatment on his right knee. He’s expected to play today (via: Detroit Free Press)

Grizzlies’ Snapshot
Home record: 4-5
Last game: 12/8 (Sat) L 78-86 @ Hawks
Last 10: 3-7
Injuries: Mike Conley, Stromile Swift

Former Piston Darko Milicic, or “DMC” as Rasheed calls him, will be starting at center for the Grizz after missing 8 games due to injury before Memphis’ last game in Atlanta. Darko is doing better with Memphis than he fared here or in Orlando. He’s shooting 43% from the floor and scoring 7.7 points per game, but he’s pulling down a career best 6.7 boards per. Those aren’t exactly #2 overall pick type numbers but at leasts he’s contriuting. (Hey, now that’s he’s been gone we can all take a glass half full approach, right?)

The Grizzlies are giving up 106.7 points per game. New Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni, who was an assistant under Mike D’Antonio in Phoenix, has tried to import the Suns run-and-gun style offense which probably wouldn’t be a bad thing if he had the right cast of ball players.

Opposition preview: 3 Shades of Blue (I’m feel’n the Casey Jones reference…The fireman screams and the engine just gleams)

Who’s up for a double-shot of the Serbian Gangster to get ‘cha ready for the game??

Darko rubbing his nipples with a sinister grin on his face?

The infamous Darko tirade from the summer of ‘07 in which he threatens to kill FIBA refs and have sexy time with their daughters