The Story of Pistons in game 3 of the playoffs

The Pistons during Game 3

White Hot – Rip Hamilton made 7 of his first 8 shots and Tayshaun Prince 8 of his first 9. On almost any other night, two players having that kind of game would translate into an easy Pistons win. But with everybody else shooting himself in the foot – they finished 17 of 27, everybody else 10 of 39 with a combined five baskets through three quarters – it wasn’t nearly enough to make the game so much as competitive. Hamilton finished with 23 points and Prince with 18, but even their nights come with an asterisk. Prince had five turnovers and Hamilton four.

PRINCE: “This team is similar to Chicago last year as far as we have to contain their guards and we have to keep their bigs off the boards. That’s a priority, but they are beating us to the punch. We need to set the tone.”

Blue Collar – Reggie Evans might be one of the least-skilled players in the NBA, which explains why he went undrafted out of Iowa. But Evans’ toughness and hustle has driven Philadelphia to believe it can beat the Pistons, not just make it respectable. Evans gave Philly nine pints, five boards and two steals and battled against Wallace, at one point stripping him of the ball, dribbling the other way and barreling through Hunter – who thought he drew the charge – and then made his first free throw.

EVANS: “We’ve got a team. We’ve got a unity. We come together out of unity. We have a team together. We don’t have individuals. … We’re at home (on Sunday). We’re going to feed off this incredible crowd. We’re going to take full advantage of this before we go back to the Motor City.”

Red Flag – Where to start? Wallace, McDyess, the bench – all very troublesome. But the biggest mystery of the night was Billups, who finished 2 of 11 and didn’t just miss but missed very badly on most attempts. Billups always says he and his team’s offense are at their best when he plays aggressively, but he was extremely passive aside from one assertive drive that produced a late first-quarter layup. Other than the fourth-quarter goaltend, that was his only basket of the game. He also chipped in three turnovers against just four assists.


STORY OF THE NIGHT – During a long third-quarter dry spell with the Pistons desperately trying to keep Philly within arm’s length, Jason Maxiell caused a Philadelphia turnover that led to a fast break. Hamilton left his feet at the foul line to shoot, then spotted Prince cutting to the basket on his left. But his pass was deflected, leading to a Philadelphia fast break that took the lead back to 10. It was Detroit’s 17th turnover. And that play involved the only two Pistons who had anything going offensively all night.

BRUTAL START – The Pistons hoped to take the raucous Philly home crowd out of it early by executing on offense, so the game couldn’t have started worse – or more symbolically, as it turned out. The first three possessions went turnover, air ball, turnover, forcing Saunders to take a timeout barely two minutes into the game with Philly ahead 6-0. After a Prince basket, he threw the ball away on the next possession for a third turnover in five trips.

STILL STRUGGLING – Imagine the problems the Pistons might have if Andre Igoudala ever starts to play. Igoudala, who averaged 10 points in the first two games and shot 5 of 24, again had a lousy night offensively. Igoudala shot just 2 of 9 and finished right at his average of 10. But just like every Pistons positive had an asterisk, so does this Philly negative. Igoudala did contribute six assists and four rebounds.

well detroit is now using how not to win it sweep also learn for the new opponent team. get well soon antonio, make it a great bounce back on game 4. we are counting on you from the friendster philippine group of Detroit Pistons!!!

DEEETROIT BASKETBALL!!!!