Tough call picking a video today — I almost went with Deep in the Heart of Mavs Fans or Diop Diop, but I couldn’t resist the Avery Bunch.
The big question heading into this afternoon’s game will be Chauncey Billups’ availability, and the latest I’ve heard is that he’s day-to-day, so this may end up being a game-time decision. But even if it costs Detroit this game, I won’t complain if the team errs on the side of caution — groin injuries can linger, especially when they’re aggravated by trying to return too quickly.
But, Chauncey’s injury aside, I can see why the national media likes this game. ESPN is touting this game as a potential NBA Finals preview, dedicating their entire Daily Dime today to these two teams.
Ball tips at 3:30 on ABC — as usual, leave any thoughts in the comments.
According to McCosky’s blog, Chauncey’s not going to play today. Here’s hoping Flip can play like he did Friday night!
Forget calling him Flip. Call him the Glove. He robbed Dirk.
I said it last game. I think we have a bench.
I truly believe this: Delfino shoots better when people guard him. He doesn’t hit open threes but he hits the ones where people have a hand up. This also seems to be true with his layups.
That’s just what happens when you’re like 2-8 from the line.
chauncey’s good for an extra 4. and rip going 2-7 from the line is something that happens very, very rarely. today just wasn’t our day. but, considering the lineup we had, and the fact that we took the mavs to the wire, i’m feeling good about our shot come playoffs.
Free throws, free throws, free throws. This one stings.
Excellent D, but No Billups and at the end…No Hamilton.
Good game from Flip but could have used Chauncey’s steadying influence in the 4th. Overall, the team is showing promise.
I’m starting to think we want to play Miami in the first or second round. I’d rather face a rusty D. Wade.
You mean D Wade with a shoulder like a rusty gate.
No way, Wade will be back with a vengeance no matter when he plays in the playoffs. He’ll have ESPN and whoever else all over him about how he’s coming back from a terrible injury and it’s so miraculous he’s even on the floor.
I don’t want to see Miami at all in the playoffs. I’m hoping Cleveland or Chicago or even Toronto can take them down early.
Detroit did fine tonight, despite missing critical free throws. it was Rip’s worst game of the last few years at least, and things will go better. They did good not to play Chauncey today. Everyone came out relatively healthy from this so it’s fine.
After a couple of hours, I’m not as stung by this one as I thought I would be. Chauncey in street clothes, Lindsay out, and Rip having a really bad night…and we can still hang with the Mavs until the end… force more turnovers, score more points in the paint. I hate making excuses, but I’m OK with this. Now if the Cavs would only lose one…
Blog Maverick cannot hang with Mason
Detroit showed today that they can force anyone to play their style of basketball… Billups is good for 18 a night, and Rip is good for 20… the bigs came up big and the little guys didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.
Solid game by Flip, but we need Billups back for the playoffs and maybe this PT for Flip won’t be so bad after all. I actually hope DET finished 2 or 3 in the East, it seems they play better on the road AND with their backs against the wall. Plus, if they finish 1 they’ll end up either playing CLE, CHI, or TOR in the 2nd round so I don’t know if I’d rather play them or MIA or WAS in the 2nd round… I think I’d rather play MIA or WAS early in the playoffs.