Pistons pluck Hawks

by Matt Watson on Dec 5, 2007 8:23 AM EST

You know the phrase "It wasn't as close as it looked"? I have a feeling it may have been coined specifically for Tuesday's game against the Hawks. Oh sure, Atlanta hung tough for the first half, but thanks to a 30-9 run that lasted, well, almost the entire third quarter, this game was never in doubt.

Detroit's bench let Atlanta turn a 28-point deficit into a 11-point loss, but there's a difference between "letting a team back into the game" and simply "allowing them to make the score look respectable."

So Detroit extended their winning streak to four, topping the century mark in every game. Not only that, they continued to spread the load evenly among everybody: no one played more than 34 minutes and seven players scored in double-digits. Seven!

You can tell Flip Murray was hoping to make it eight: he didn't get in the game until the fourth quarter but still found time to heave nine shots, making only three and finishing with six points. He talked about being used exclusively in the fourth on Tuesday. From the Freep's Krista Jahnke:

When asked about his new role Tuesday, Murray said, "Fourth quarter, baby. That's my new nickname -- Fourth Quarter Slaughter."

To get the full effect, say that with a Philly accent, making "quarter" and "slaughter" rhyme. Catchy, eh?

"I'm OK with everything," Murray said. "I've got a job. I'm living. I'm having fun. You've gotta be ready. That's what the Fourth Quarter Slaughter does."

And what the Fourth Quarter Slaughter apparently doesn't do is pass the ball down low: Amir Johnson played eight minutes in the fourth and didn't shoot the ball once, although he did finish with five (!!) blocks, a rebound and an assist. If Johnson is going to be relegated to garbage time, you'd at least like to see the team run a few plays for him, especially when letting Murray go unchecked results in the other team getting 15 points back.

On that note, I suppose this is as good of a time as any to mention that Rodney Stuckey is meeting with the doctor on Friday in hopes of getting cleared for contact in practice. As Flip Saunders told A. Sherrod Blakely, though, Stuckey probably won't make his first appearance in a game until after he's had a good week or two to practice with the team.

As for players who contributed in the first three quarters when the game was actually still in play, Tayshaun Prince led the team with 23 on a scorching 9-12 shooting. Rasheed Wallace scored 11 but was held to 16 minutes due to fouls, but that just opened the door for Jason Maxiell to make a lasting impression on an otherwise disinterested Atlanta crowd. From We're Not in Bristol Anymore:

I just got back from the Hawks game, and they still suck. The best part about the game was getting my January tickets for the Bulls game and Lakers game. The second best aspect of the game was the Jason Maxiell Show. Maxiell had 13 points and 9 boards, but most importantly, some high flying dunks that electrified the otherwise dormant Highlight Factory aka Philips Arena. Maxiell is a high energy skywalker, who will be instrumental in helping Detroit overcome Boston and Orlando in the Playoffs.

I'd like to think that Maxiell might force his way into the Sixth Man of the Year discussion, but until the likes of Jason Terry, Leandro Barbosa and Manu Ginobili resume starting, there's really no chance. But just for reference, his numbers this year (especially lately) are somewhat comparable to those of Corliss Williamson when he won in 2002.

Also of note is the fact that Joe Johnson was held to just six points. It's a fluke, right? Maybe, except the same thing happened to Michael Redd (11 points). Not only is Detroit's offense clicking, but their defense is as stout as always, ranking third in the league in points allowed per game. Some things change, but some things stay the same.

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Comments

i dare say that we game-planned for joe johnson. we were swarming him like he was lebron. there was one play where he snuck out of a rip/dyess double-team only to get his shot blocked by tay. i like watching this team. hope they continue to show up in pistons unis the rest of the season.

WHEN do we play boston?

by jackdutch on Dec 5, 2007 10:49 AM EST reply actions

The past few weeks I thought that all the ‘Flip hoggging the ball’ talk was a little unjust put his ‘display’ last night was horrendus. He should be called the “4th Kuarter Kobe” or the “Clean-up Time Vacuum.”

by JesseC on Dec 5, 2007 11:23 AM EST reply actions

So I was looking at Amir’s stat line, a bit frustrated… then I saw that he had 5 blocks. In 8 minutes. ?!?!?! As far as Flip not passing the ball, I see 1 of 2 things for his future A) He’s traded to another team B) Come trade deadline he’ll become very intimate with riding the pine, unless we get another swarm of injuries. Hogging the ball for self-glorification because you’re in a contract year isn’t Pistons basketball.

by Brad on Dec 5, 2007 11:45 AM EST reply actions

It’s going to be some slow development for Amir if he only gets to play in the 4th with Murray at PG.

by Matt C. on Dec 5, 2007 12:04 PM EST reply actions

OT: Rip Hamilton is on the cover of an the ‘07-08 Connecticut alumni guide. I was looking to see if he ever played with Kevin Ollie (he didn’t) and stumbled across the photo. Rip is probably the most accomplished NBA player to come out of Uconn. Ray Allen is maybe a little better but Rip has had more success.

This ramble was triggered by Flip Murray’s 4th quarter gunning. How does a trade of Murray and Dupree for Kevin Ollie sound? The Sixers save a few bucks, the Pistons free a roster spot for Stuckey, and Amir, Afflalo, and Max get a chance to run the offense instead of watching Fourth Quarter Slaughter gun like it’s a pickup game.

by joejoejoe on Dec 5, 2007 1:11 PM EST reply actions

I would trade murray for anyone or anybody as it will be addition by subtraction and maybe Amir will see the ball on offense when he plays.

I am really surprised that Rasheed or Billips has not spoken to Murray and told him to stop being a hog and to pass the ball and get the rookies into the game

I wouldn’t mind seeing Detroit simply cut him, eat his salary and show the rest of the league what unselfish team play is all about.

Does he have any value as an expiring contract??

by IsraeliPiston on Dec 5, 2007 2:22 PM EST reply actions

While I dislike 4QS’s play, he did come in handy when Stuckey went down. He had some nice games in that stretch. He had 12 assists one game… believe it or not. So I tolerate his selfishness because he’s been “on” the few times I’ve seen him. I envision Stuckey adding much needed control/direction to the second unit… something that will be a breath of fresh air.

by Brad on Dec 5, 2007 2:52 PM EST reply actions

I must say that I am happy how our team is playing right not. I wish they play Amir a litle more with Sheed. But I can’t blame the coach because Dice and Maxiel are playing so well.

by Doc Sloan on Dec 5, 2007 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Yes, I’m still not a Murray hater, because he does so damn well when it’s needed. Garbage time doesn’t suit him; he passes when he starts or gets significant minutes. I don’t understand why he’s relegated to the 4th Q. But I also don’t understand why he doesn’t just work his butt off like Nazr no matter when he’s in the game. Murray is an enigma…

by Rob G on Dec 5, 2007 3:17 PM EST reply actions

rob g said: “I don’t understand why he’s relegated to the 4th Q. But I also don’t understand why he doesn’t just work his butt off like Nazr no matter when he’s in the game”

That is why he is relegated – We need team players not ball hogs. What really girds my loins is that Murray can pass the ball and be a pretty good point guard – the problem is that lately he has just been a ball hog.

Hunter in place of Murray will pass the rock and will play bull dog like defense

by IsraeliPiston on Dec 5, 2007 3:20 PM EST reply actions

I agree with you, IP. Completely off topic: “girds my loins”?

by Rob G on Dec 5, 2007 3:33 PM EST reply actions

Girds my loins – pisses me off, I think there are biblical connotations

by IsraeliPiston on Dec 5, 2007 4:14 PM EST reply actions

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gird:
gird – put a girdle on or around; “gird your loins”

by Pat Hunt on Dec 5, 2007 5:05 PM EST reply actions

I don’t mean to hate on Flip Murray because he’s a good NBA backup. I just think he loses sight of his role from time to time. There is no such thing as garbage time on a winning team — it’s all about the team. The team knows Flip can fill it up so there is no need for 4QS to come out and play. What they could see more of is Amir with the ball in the post. I know Flip Murray can fill in for Rip and Chauncey if they are out because I’ve seen it. What I haven’t seen is him run the second unit like it matters. The Bulls won 3 championships with Randy Brown as backup PG so you don’t have to be Oscar Roberston off the bench, just steady. I want to see more Steady Eddie out of Flip Murray and less 4QS.

by joejoejoe on Dec 5, 2007 5:26 PM EST reply actions

I know what “gird” means. But why do it when angry? Girding sounds almost beneficial – think of the guys who get elbow injuries and gird them with spandex. So why gird your loins when you’re upset? That’s what I want to know.

If it’s biblical, I wonder about context. Maybe Moses got so made at the Isrealites that some of his pals had to wrap him up in muslin to contain his righteous rage? If so, we might have to gird JMax on occasion to protect babies everywhere…

by Rob G on Dec 5, 2007 5:38 PM EST reply actions