RUST TRUMPS REST

RUST TRUMPS REST

As expected, the Pistons came out rusty after cooling their heels for a week since eliminating Orlando. As expected, Boston’s energy came in ebbs and flows coming off a grinding seven-game series with Cleveland that left them on short rest. Whoever lost was going to rue a missed opportunity on a night they had a vulnerable opponent. So it was that the Pistons will wonder why their offense was so ragged and their defense a step slow getting to open shooters too much of the night. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were brilliant on a night Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups – back in the lineup but not back to being himself – were subpar. The Pistons spotted Boston an 8-0 lead but got back in the game, taking a four-point lead late in the second quarter before a turnover-plagued third quarter gave Boston a 12-point lead heading into the fourth.

FLIP SAUNDERS: “We didn’t seem to be in a good flow. They may have had something to do with that. We just couldn’t get over the hump, couldn’t get into our offense quick enough. Defensively, we were a step slow on our rotations. As bad as we played, we had opportunities. The third quarter we had six or seven turnovers, which basically blew the game open.”

PIERCE: “You’ve got Detroit coming in well-rested. This was a perfect game for them to come in and try to steal one and we were aware of that. We just came out with extra focus and extra energy at the start of the game, because we knew they would come out and try to get the first game.”

TAYSHAUN PRINCE: “There’s always ups and downs as far as if a lot of rest is good or whatnot. We needed it for the simple fact Chauncey was hurt. They got off to a good start and we started sluggish. They pretty much kept the pace throughout. You never know what’s best, (but) you can’t blame that.”