Toronto 102
Detroit 95
BoxscoreKuester unwrapped his Christmas presents and got Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Gordon.
Hamilton and Prince started, while Gordon resumed his role as 6th man. Hamilton had 15 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound. Prince had 9 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds. And Gordon chipped in 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds.
Rodney Stuckey had 14 points, 5 assists (team leading), 8 rebounds. Ben Wallace had 10 points, 3 assists, 9 rebounds. He was 2-8 from the free throw line, but oh well. Jonas Jerebko who started at power forward, had a big game with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
The Pistons started the game with good energy, but became disjointed as Hamilton, Prince, and Gordon showed their rust, falling behind by as much as 20 points in the second quarter and trailing at halftime 60-41.
They also didn't challenge the Raptors defensively, allowing the Raptors to be too comfortable in their offensive sets.
But the Pistons rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Toronto 28-14. Jerebko helped fuel the second half come back with 2 triples and 6 offensive rebounds. With Detroit trailing 85-84 in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left, though, Jerebko was whistled for a blocking foul and a driving Andrea Bargnani,who hit the layup and free throw. Real-time viewing and replays showed that Bargnani lowered his shoulder and
charged into Jerebko, who fouled out.
Bargnani was later whistled for a loose ball foul as part of a makeup call, but it wasn't nearly good enough. Without Jerebko's presence, the Pistons offensive rebounds went down sharply, cutting down their second chance opportunities during the rest of the game. The Pistons had multiple good looks at the basket, but couldn't convert, especially Hamilton, Prince, and Gordon, who were all strugging to regain their shooting rhythm.
The Raptors, who were looking to cruise like they did earlier in the week before Christmas had to fight to survive this game. The Raptors have benefited this season by playing Detroit while it was short handed and then reacclimating its players. Fortunately, the Pistons have one more game against the Raptors in the Palace on April 12, 2010 to look forward to.
The first and second halves were like night and day for the Pistons.
Fortunately, the rest of the East hasn't run away from them while they were hurt, so their playoff chances are still favorable as people adjust to their new roles and the returning players get their legs back and regain their game wind and timing.
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( 11 -18 ) VS 
( 14 - 17 )
Richard Hamilton Ques - Hamstring.
Ben Gordon Ques - Ankle.
Tayshaun Prince Out - Ruptured disc in back.
Jose Calderon Doubt - Hip.
Reggie Evans Out indefinitely - Foot.
Will Bynum 4.4apg
Rodney Stuckey 1.41spg
Chris Bosh 23.4ppg & 11.1rpg
