Victory! Pistons 105, Bucks 96
I could get used to this. Well, minus the turnovers.
The 21 woopsies and Milwaukee nearly matching Detroit's hot first half were the only things that prevented the waning minutes from being garbage time. Instead, the Bucks were able to stick around until the very end before Jonas Jerebko fittingly capped the game off with a block on a meaningless Charlie Bell three-pointer as time expired.
Milwaukee did put up their best 2009 Detroit Pistons fight and overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to pull within seven with a minute to go and got it to six with 25 seconds, but Detroit was able to hit four of their final six free throws to clinch it.
Aside from the turnovers, this was the Pistons best all-around game so far this season. They shot a season-best 57% from the field, dished out a season-high 28 assists, and had six players in double figures. They also grabbed 46 rebounds, 16 more than Milwaukee.
It kind of evoked feelings of the good ol' days, especially when a certain someone was throwing down Earth shaking slams like this:
Yeah, that's the decrepit Ben Wallace that I, along with many other Pistons fans, didn't think had anything left but a few games of Bingo. I love the Kelser quote in that video: "They signed him, folks, as a mentor...a locker room guy. Yeah, right."
In fact, Big Ben looks better on offense than I ever remember him being. That's mainly due to some of the old man, craft passes he's been able to serve to his teammates for easy looks. Tonight, he had 11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Mmm.
Rodney Stuckey finished as the Pistons leading scorer with 19 points on 7-11 shooting. He also had six rebounds and nine assists (opposite four turnovers). My newest Yahoo fantasy basketball player, Luke Ridnour, had the game-high 21 points and nine assists off the Bucks bench.
More, if you make the jump.
- Jonas Jerebko continues to get better with every game. He's a beast on the defensive side of things and he's starting to make it happen on offense. In the first quarter he had 10 points and six of them were from the charity stripe.
- From what I saw tonight, I thought Jason Maxiell played great. I don't think the box score does him much justice, though. He did have five turnovers, but I think his +14 (best on the team) is a stat that is pretty indicative of how well he played tonight.
- Charlie Villanueva made his return tonight with a mask to protect his recently restructured nose. He got himself into early foul trouble, but played well in minimal minutes. He was a point away from being the Pistons 7th player in double figures. As for the mask, as expected, he was fidgeting with it all game. I don't expect it to be a staple for him like it has become for Rip. He'll burn that thing the first chance the Docs say he can.
- Rodney Stuckey was T'ed up when he and Brandon Jennings exchanged some unpleasantries.
- Carlos Delfino, a former Piston who I used to be very fond of, kept the Bucks in it early. He seemed to match every spurt the Pistons had in the first two quarters with a few buckets of his own. He only finished with 15 points on 6-12 shooting, despite his hot start, but judging by the perma-smerk on his face, you would have thought he scored 30, what he believes to be his season average. Meh, a jersey change can do a lot to one's opinion of a guy.
- Washington Wizards come into town on Sunday. Tip off slated for 6 PM EST. It will be aired on NBATV.
- Inspiration for my "elementary" title, if you didn't pick up on it:
- Box score
- Brew Hoop view
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STANDINGS
that is amazing that we are only .5 game behind for the last playoff spot. We could make a move if we get heathly. I like stuckeys potential but he has got to learn to pull up when there are 3 guys under the basket. He must lead the league in offensive fouls.
by lions09 on Dec 5, 2009 7:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I'm sure that's something we'll all be scrutinizing all year
Good thing is, if we are noticing it, the coaches definitely are too. We’ll see if he starts kicking out as the season goes on… he needs to. It’d make his stats better, but more importantly the team better.
Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog
by Packey on Dec 5, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
really not a whole lot to add besides "good game."
A good game in which we WON!!! FINALLY THE OTHER TEAM CAME UP SHORT IN THE END! HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!
(nothing maniacal here)
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Inside A Head
by madpoopz on Dec 5, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Great Game.....
….All I want to add is how amazing has Ben Wallace been?…..wasnt there some guy earlier this off season that was complaingin about bringing Ben back in?….I think there was….Anyway I think he owes Ben an apology!!!
by BennieBladesFan on Dec 5, 2009 12:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That was me, and I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.
But we are also not even 20 games into a 82 game schedule. Are you ready to make the statement that a 35 year old is having a great year? Call me out at the end of the season BBF, then If i have to eat crow I will. I will be around, don’t worry ; )
Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin
by Leapin Lion on Dec 5, 2009 1:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well wed be 0-20....
….without him
by BennieBladesFan on Dec 5, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know about that....
and we’ve only played 19
Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog
by Packey on Dec 5, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I really think we could be....
……No one else on this team could stop that low post threat like Ben has?…..Hes been able to handle so many guys that give us a chance in every game…..maybe not 0-20 but 1-18 or 2 -17 man..
by BennieBladesFan on Dec 6, 2009 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah me too
A lot of people were not excited about Big Ben’s return. I was able to admit I was wrong way back in the preseason.
Leapin Lion, even if it’s just 20 games into the season, I think he’s already been more than anything we could have expected. Barring an injury, I don’t think he’s going to fall off either.
Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog
by Packey on Dec 5, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he's picking up steam...
He’s actually starting to score a bit.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Inside A Head
by madpoopz on Dec 5, 2009 9:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He has played inspired basketball, I have to admit
But what good does it do if he is unable to keep the pace up? It’s great if he does, then ill admit i was wrong. But I wont say that he has been a great addition until the seaon is almost at its end. At his age he could suffer a season ending injury, he could run out of steam any second. Then your love affair would be over.
Remember how everyone was all over this site when we blew out Memphis, well that was only a couple weeks ago! Where is all the positive posts? Things change fast in sports, thats why I dont jump to conclusions. Well, I guess I did when we signed him. But Im still not impressed with him….yet.
Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin
by Leapin Lion on Dec 6, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow....
……It takesa lot to impress you I guess…..Yes its only been 20 games but he hasnt shown any signs of slowing down and in my mind he has been ore impressive in his last 5 games…..hes gettign stronger……Hes a all star right now……Hope he makes it…..GO PISTONS!!!
by BennieBladesFan on Dec 6, 2009 8:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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