Monday's game was a tough one to watch -- Memphis allows the fewest points in the league, and they did a great job destroying the Pistons' rhythm late in the game. I mean, seriously, this game went to double OT and the Pistons scored just 106 points.
While I'll never take any overtime game for granted, the Pistons had a chance to win it in the final seconds three times. Chauncey Billups ended up taking all three buzzer-beating shots, hitting one of three. But it's not just on him, as the entire team made mistakes late in regulation and the first OT that would have helped them avoid needing a last-second shot to win. In particular, the team missed critical free throws, which this team just does not do.
But, a win is a win, and ugly wins on the road in overtime while making uncharacteristic mistakes are sweeter than anything, since those are games that most teams just don't pull out. And considering San Antonio was smoked by the NOOCH on Sunday, well, that makes it all the better.
Ben Wallace was nails yet again, grabbing 14 boards with five blocks, four steals and nine points. Billups came through with 30 and nine, and while Rasheed Wallace (nine points, 9 boards) struggled for most of the night, he did nail a critical three-pointer late in the game and come up with several key defensive plays. Four starters played at least 46 minutes, including 56 by Ben, so expect the bench to be active tonight at home against Portland.
The Grizzlies' Pau Gasol (32 points, 13 boards, five assists, three blocks) is a bad, bad man, and I don't want to see him for a long while.
Respect the beard.