I wasn't able to watch the game, nor listen to it -- looks like I didn't miss much. Here are the highlights of the game, followed by some random thoughts/notes based off my box score observations.
Some random thoughts/notes:
- Most people probably want to know how Charlie Villanueva played in his first action as a Piston. He was 4-9 from the field (2-2 from 3-point range) and finished with 12 points. He also had five rebounds and a blocked shot in just 20 minutes. It'll be interesting to see what people who actually saw the game thought.
- Jonas Jerebko started in the spot I thought Austin Daye would. He played about 17 minutes and scored 12 points. Rudy Gay opposite him went off, though. He scored 25 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Of course, Gay played twice as much, so it wasn't all against Jerebko.
- Detroit didn't shoot particularly bad (45%), but Memphis shot 53% (40% from three-point land). Again, you have to give some credit to Memphis for hitting the shots, but Detroit needs to find a way to contest shots.
- Will Bynum was once again the most impressive looking Piston in the box score. 19 points in just 24 minutes on 6-8 shooting.
- Jason Maxiell's line looks pretty miserable: 7 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, and minus-10. If it weren't for his block shot, I would have thought he just stood in the corner for seven minutes.
- This game was pretty much lost in the first quarter. Detroit scored just 14 points and allowed Memphis to put up 33. Not a good way to start a game that doesn't mean anything. I bet it was hard to get the players inspired to make a comeback of any sort.
- Pistons don't play again until next Thursday. They'll be back at the Palace taking on the Timberwolves. Plenty of time to regroup.