Game 21: 12-9-09 Detroit @ Philadelphia

( 8 - 12 ) VS ( 5 - 16 )

Wednesday 9th of December 2009
Time: 7P EST
Radio: 950 WWJ AM
FS Detroit Plus & NBA TV
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
Game Notes

At
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA



Atkins/Stuckey/Jerebko/Maxiell/Wallace





Iverson/Iguodala/Young/Brand/Dalembert

INJURY REPORT

Richard Hamilton Out - Ankle.
Tayshaun Prince Out - Ruptured disc in his lower back.


Jrue Holiday Ques - Shoulder.
Willie Green Ques - Hand.
Louis Williams Out indefinitely - Jaw.
Marreese Speights Out indefinitely - Knee.

TEAM LEADERS

Richard Hamilton 25ppg
Ben Wallace 9.7rpg, 1.3spg & 1.25bpg
Will Bynum 4.4apg


Andre Iguodala 19.5ppg, 5.8apg & 2.1spg
Samuel Dalembert 7.8rpg & 2.05bpg

Detroit 90
Philadelphia 86

Boxscore

As Yogi Berra said it, "It ain't over till it's over."

This was another low-scoring grind-it-out game between the Pistons and Sixers. It was ugly and marred with turnovers and missed shots. Fortunately, Philly had more turnovers and Iguodala missed a wide open game winning triple attempt.

Both teams played short-handed, but the Pistons wanted the game more, outrebounding the Sixers 45-32.

The Sixer starters outscored the Pistons starting unit, but the Piston bench prevailed. Villanueva had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Kwame Brown contribted 11 points and 8 rebounds. Stuckey led the team with 27 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Stuckey carried the Pistons throughout the game and won it in the end. He got his shot blocked on a drive, got the ball back, and put back a short baseline jumper with 8.7 seconds left, giving the Pistons an 88-86 lead to set up Iguodala's miss. Then he grabbed the rebound, got fouled, and hit two free throws to ice the win.

Stuckey is coming into his own now and making the Pistons his team.

It couldn't come at a better time.

The Sixers played hard and competed, though they were outmuscled by Detroit. Iverson, though, had just 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 turnovers. Whether in game shape or not, his best days are well behind him. Chucky Atkins outperformed Iverson and won the matchup.

The Pistons have gotten their third road win of the year to go 3-8 away from the Palace, accomplishing Kuester's goal of having the team play with focus and intensity on the road. The Pistons are currently 9-12 and in the 8th playoff seed by percentage points over Toronto (10-14).

Bynum unfortunately, hurt his ankle again, so he may be questionable along with Gordon for the big game against Denver tomorrow night.

I will not be surprised to see Austin Daye playing major minutes at the 2 guard.

Interesting matchup for Denver.

Go Pistons.