[box score] It’s been two years since the Pistons beat the Jazz, here or in Utah. Playing without Rasheed Wallace and with a sub par Richard Hamilton, Utah made it so that the Pistons will have to wait at least until February 27th to change that streak.
Rasheed Wallace sat for a second straight game with a sore left knee. Jason Maxiell started at center in his place. Rip was listed questionable with flu like symptoms but did suit up and start for the Pistons.
Sick, or still searching for his touch Rip turned in another forgettable performance. Rip scored 17 points on 6/16 (37%) shooting with 7 assists. The master of the mid range may be off but ironically he went 2/2 from the three point line. Rip’s backcourt mate, Chauncey, didn’t do so hot himself. Billups scored 15 on 5/14 (36%) shooting with 6 assists and 4 turnovers. The all-star backcourt combined for 11/30 shooting and 6 turnovers.
The Pistons started the game pretty well against their first Western Conference powerhouse opponent of the season. They had a balanced scoring attack and were given a boost off the bench from center Nazr Mohamed who had 10 first half rebounds. We led after one and were able to keep Utah within swinging distance by getting them in the penalty early on in the second quarter making 13 0f 17 first half free throws. We went into halftime down 57-50.
The Pistons were down only four late in the 3rd when the proverbial levies broke. Flip argued a foul on Tayshuan to the tune of two techs and an ejection by official Marc Davis whom had been getting an earful from Saunders all afternoon. Shortly after, Davis assessed another technical to the Pistons’ bench (trainer Mike Abdenour). Before you could blink the Pistons were down by ten to finish the quarter which ended up to be the same deficit they lost by.
Deron William and Carlos Boozer held a matinee pick and roll clinic on the Pistons. Deron finished with a season high 14 assists and Boozer had a season high in points with 36 (85% FG%). The Jazz did their best Sherwin Williams act getting it done in the paint, 48 points worth.
GAME NOTES:
- Flip Murray went ZERO for 7 from the field
- The Pistons shot 39.5% from the field to Utah’s 52%
- Rebounding was equal at 42 a piece
- Both teams starters all scored in double figures
- Nazr 14 boards (5O/9D) & 7 points in 17 min. of play
- McDyess had a double-double 19 pts / 12 rbs on 57% shooting
- Boozer & Williams combined for 57 pts / 15 rebs / 17 asts
- Pistons are no longer undeafted at the Palace for the season
- This loss dropped the Pistons to 2nd in the Central behind Milwaukee
- Memo scored 12, but none bigger than this dunk!
QUOTES:
Rick Mahorn (on the radio) on being friendly to the opposition:
I’m not friendly to anybody. When the game starts I’m punching you in the mouth
Chauncey on his and the team’s performnce:
“We all did a poor job,” said Billups, who finished with 15 points, six assists and four turnovers. “I feel horrible. I don’t feel I did a good enough job leading us today. It started at the point with my matchup (with Williams). We let them get into a comfort zone. I let Deron keep getting into the teeth of our defense, and when we shifted he would just dump it to Boozer.”
MORE RECAPS:
Can we please lift the Utah Jazz curse tonight? We’ve dropped five straight to them and the last time we won in Utah was November 6th, 2002. To make the task even more daunting, the Jazz at 24-3, haven’t lost at home for going on two months. Maybe that’s why, when polled by SI, NBA players listed EnergySolutions Arena as the most intimidating arena in the league (The Palace was #3). The Jazz are the only team in the league with a winning record that the Pistons have yet to beat.
