Dallas 98
Detroit 93
Box ScoreThe Pistons have lost their 10th in a row now.
But as losses go, this didn't sting so bad for me.
The Pistons put up their best effort in a few weeks. Against most teams, it would be enough for a win.
Against the second best in the West...
Detroit led by as much as 14, I believe, in the first half. Charlie Villanueva (17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists) came off the bench to hit 4 straight triples. The Pistons also played excellent trapping defense on Dirk Nowitzki, holding to, I believe, 3 points in the first half. The Pistons went into halftime leading 44-36.
The Pistons had some defensive slippage in the third quarter, though, as the Mavericks rebounded to outscore them 32-24 and go into the fourth quarter tied at 68 all. Nowitzki exploded for about 20 points in the third.
The Pistons trailed by 7 or so points for much of the fourth, but Rodney Stuckey rallied the team with 10 4th quarter points. Ben Gordon (9 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds) brought the Pistons to within 94-93 with 14 seconds left. Trailing 96-93, the Pistons worked for the last shot. Two defenders went for Gordon at the top of the key, leaving Stuckey wide open for a corner triple. Stuckey got the pass from Tayshaun Prince--and missed the triple.
I expect he'll be working in the offseason to extend his range from 20 feet to 3 point land.
The Mavericks made a lot of big shots throughout the 4th quarter and Jason Terry (26 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds) was murder off the bench. But the Pistons scrapped back into the game with the kind of effort we've seen from them earlier in the season. Nowitzki (22 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists) and Kidd (8 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds)were contained in the fourth quarter.
Richard Hamilton (20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds), Tayshaun Prince (12 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds), and Chris Wilcox (12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist) contributed with strong games. This was Wilcox's best game yet as a Piston. His emergence couldn't come at a better time. Considering his talent, height, athleticism, and hands, Wilcox can team up with Villanueva to give the Pistons a respectable inside post presence as the season goes on.
Hamilton, Prince, and Gordon all missed triples, but are looking better and better overall. Stuckey is beginning to balance being aggressive and keeping his teammates involved. And he almost brought the Pistons back in the 4th quarter as he finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and a team high 6 assists.
This was a tough loss, but another good learning experience.
Onto San Antonio and a reunion with Antonio McDyess.
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( 11 -21 ) VS 
( 23 - 10 )
Will Bynum Ques - Ankle.
Quinton Ross Out indefinitely - Back.
