The Pistons all but ran the Bulls out of the gym on Saturday, jumping ahead early and never looking back. Offensively, the Pistons weren’t even all that spectacular, but defensively it was just like the old days, be it 2004 or 1989.
You know how people say a team should “step on the throat” of their opposition? That’s exactly what the Pistons did, holding the Bulls to 23 points in the first quarter, and then 18 in the second, 16 in the third and 12 in the fourth. It was absolutely brutal, and it resulted in the Bulls setting a new team record for the fewest points in a postseason game. Chicago looked like they make may a game of things when the cut their deficit to eight in the third quarter, but Detroit responded with a nice little run to get it back safely into double-digits, and they opened the fourth with a quick 16-3 run that had Chicago officially giving up the ghost.
In a way, this game might remind you of the first game of the second round last year when the Pistons blew out the Cavs by 27 points. But, there is one notable difference: last year’s game was the result of an out-of-character offensive explosion as the Pistons racked up 113 points while shooting 15-22 (68.2%) from three-point land.
But this game against the Bulls? Offensively speaking, it was a ho-hum affair. They shot just 43.9% from the field, and while Detroit got a few timely foul calls, Chicago finished with 10 more attempts from the stripe. Chris Webber grabbed seven boards but scored just five points with no assists. Antonio McDyess hit some nice jumpers but also missed at least two or three tip-in dunks. Chauncey Billups made some big threes but finished with just four assists. Unlike in last year’s game one, there’s honest to goodness room for improvement, which doesn’t bode well for the Bulls.
What impressed me most about the game was how the bench stepped up. We knew coming in that matching Chicago’s energy was going to be a point of emphasis for the Pistons, and Flip Saunders managed his rotation to perfection to achieve that goal. I don’t think Chicago expected Detroit to go 10 deep in this game, but that’s what they did with McDyess, Carlos Delfino, Lindsey Hunter, Jason Maxiell and Flip Murray all seeing action early in the game. Such depth allowed Detroit’s intensity to stay high the entire game, which is something we rarely saw in the regular season.
Maxiell scored 12 with six boards, showing off his mid-range jumper as well as his power game in the paint, including six straight against Ben Wallace. Hunter couldn’t find the bottom of the basket but led the team with six assists and three steals. And Delfino, well, he did what he does best, letting the ball find him in the right spot at the right time, getting two of his six right here:
Conversely, Chicago’s bench looked absolutely lost, finishing the game a laughable 3-for-30 from the field. Scott Skiles was expected to use Tyrus Thomas to “expose” Detroit’s perceived lack of mobility up front, but instead Thomas looked like the green rookie he is, turning the ball over five times and committing four fouls in 19 minutes. Andres Nocioni wasn’t any better, shooting just 1-8, turning the ball over four times and getting featured on yet another poster shot. (In case you missed it, he’s good at that.)
After the game, Skiles singled out Ben Wallace (nine points, eight boards) as one of the few members of the Bulls who turned in a good game. That says more about the rest of the team than it does Ben, though, as nine and eight can hardly be called earning your $60 million.
One of Chicago’s biggest strengths is the play of their starting backcourt, and Chauncey and Rip (a combined 40 points) completely outclassed Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon (22 points). Luol Deng (18 points) turned in a very solid game, but he was essentially negated by Tayshaun Prince, who scored five fewer points but had three more assists (4) and three fewer turnovers (1).
Do I expect the rest of the series to come this easily? Hardly. In fact, I predicted in the preview that each team would get blown out at least once in the series. Plus, as we saw last year against the Cavs, it’ll be a completely different game once the series heads to Chicago. But still, the Bulls have to be worried about Detroit’s killer instinct, which they really didn’t see the entire regular season. If Skiles can’t figure out a way to make some adjustments, this series might not be so long after all.
Just like their total of 69, the Bulls got f****d.
so much for Detroit getting swept like that one dude said earlier in the week..
this game was over after the first Maxiell dunk
not to get on the negative side so quickly, but this is exactly what’s so frustrating about this squad: when they put their mind to it, they can kick the s*** out of any team in the league any day of the week. i feel like we’ve heard them talk a good game all friggin’ season and FINALLY, we got their good game. now, we just need 3 more of those, and then another 8 more after that.
i’m glad game 2 is monday, because the last thing this team needs is to sit around and smell its own farts for too long. no squad has gotten caught resting on their laurels more than our pistons.
(unless you count the 2006-2007 dallas mavericks.)
This game had to be a blowout. Detroit is trying to shake the confidence of the Bulls, and they did it magnificently. Keep bringing on the bigs - Maxiell, Rasheed & Dyess especially - and the youngbloods are going to run on home to mama.
Glad to see the bench being played. Maxiell had some fun and Lindsey Hunter was a defensive presence tonight. I’m still saying Pistons in six. I think Pistons’ll win on Monday, then drop the two in Chicago, then take the next one at home and close ‘em out on the road. What does everyone else think?
i think they’ll take one in chicago and close out at home in five. i mean, they do have a better road record than home record. the bulls will put up a fight in their house, but the pistons seem to thrive off of that.
I believe the Pistons will take the Bulls in Game 2, 4, and 5
And the silly part of it all: the Pistons didn’t play anywhere near a perfect game. They turned the ball over more than ususal and shot poorly. Hell, Webber had one of his worst games as a Piston.
Bulls fans will attempt to write this game off, blaming rust or the road. But anyone who says “it isn’t a series until someone loses at home” is usually in denial. They didn’t just win… they provided a healthy dose of doubt to a young team.
a solid win. a distinct lack of chauncey billups WNBA commercials.
Jason Maxiel DOES eat babys … especially tasty are the Baby Bulls.
Echo JackDutch. There was a great shot of Chauncey sitting on the bench watching the game. He was so focused on what was going on, you could see the difference between this game and most. If they keep bringing this intensity we’re going to be just fine.
I had a feeling turnovers would be an issue; even in the Miami series, the Bulls turned the ball over way too much. I figured the Pistons could take advantage - and they did. Nice game.
i think you can add the miami heat to the teams that rest(ed) on their laurels. the first half of their season was pretty crappy, and it ended in a spectacular flame out.
watching this game, you didn’t really notice the problems the pistons were having with turnovers, or poor shooting (well, except for the 3rd quarter- that was pretty obvious) because the energy level was so great the whole time. if they can keep this level of instensity they could close the bulls out in 5 (although i’ll stick with my 6 game prediction).
Nice game review, Matt, and good point about their *still* being room for improvement on offense. Jason Maxiell was just awesome last night, and perhaps most impressively took it in stride. The man has a quiet confidence about him that makes him very likeable.
Something tell me that if, say, Poster Me Nocioni or Ty Thomas had that kind of game and made those kind of plays that they’d be pounding their chests and gesturing to the crowds and making a show of themselves. Maxiell, on the other hand, acted like it’s nothing new–that’s just who he is.
Awesome game. Can’t wait for tomorrow night.
Brian, thanks for pointing that out. I really think you should post that thought on your Deadspin-off blog, because the Pistons really do define humble. How many diamonds are on those title belts anyway?
Bout to be a few more diamonds in them belts by the looks of things.
Once again the Bullz Mouth Peece has trouble distinguishing between one player and a whole team. He= signular or one, They= plural or multiple. Hopefully this will make sense to you soon.
Julie, I really do know the difference, but I have two problems with a comment like that.
1. It has nothing to do with who’s going to win or lose.
2. Why bother slighting 2 Bulls for hypothetically “making a show of themselves” when the Pistons (as a team) are just as guilty of offending the sensibilities of people who can’t handle athletes showing excitement or pride. I think we can agree that was a pretty stupid way to praise JM.
well, i mean, posterboy has pretty obnoxious facial hair, if that counts for anything.
I don’t think DET will blow out CHI quite as bad in Game 2, but it will be nice if we can have a follow up to the baby eating by Maxiell in Game 2.
I hate to put a damper on things, but I think everyone is a little too excited over game 1. Maybe winning the first game is the worst thing to happen because the Pistons might become lazy and the Bulls will be driven each game. Look how the Bulls responded to losing to the Nets (in a huge game that would have given them the 2nd seed) after the end of the regular season…They swept the world champs.
the pistons certainly have a history of believing their own hype, so it’s a valid concern. but for some reason i feel a little less worried about that heading into this game 2. just because i haven’t seen this team look as focused as they were in game 1. hopefully it clicked in their head that that’s the way they have to come into EVERY game from here on out. including tonight. if the bulls steal game 2, everyone’s going to forget game 1 real quick.