Minus 4 scorers, Pistons somehow knock off West power Denver
Go Figure
by Keith Langlois
Minus Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon and the latest addition to Arnie Kander’s House of Rehab, Will Bynum, the Pistons recorded their most unlikely win of the season, beating Denver 101-99. They weathered a 40-point barrage from Carmelo Anthony and a missed shot at the buzzer from old buddy Chauncey Billups to record their fourth straight win and fifth in the six games since John Kuester put Chucky Atkins and Jason Maxiell into the starting lineup.
“We had confidence,” said Charlie Villanueva, who scored 27 points in 35 minutes off the bench. “We’ve been battling all year round, with short hands, so guys in here believed that we could win this game. (Denver was) on the last game of the road trip. They took us a little bit lightly, seeing all the guys out. But in this room, the guys believed we could win this game.”
“We talk to the team a lot about the elements of the NBA,” said John Kuester, looking as proud as a new father. “And what I mean is you play an emotional game the night before, you travel, you don’t get in until 2, 2:30, get to bed. A lot of times, a young team could say, hey, the elements aren’t with us. This group here, how much courage did they have today? They were phenomenal.”
The list starts with Villanueva and Rodney Stuckey, who gave the Pistons 25 points, but it extends down the length of the box score.
Ben Wallace made some phenomenal plays late, keeping a possession alive off a missed Villanueva free throw, tipping in Atkins’ miss for a three-point lead with just under two minutes to play, stealing a Denver pass in the backcourt less than a minute later, and coming over to give help and harass Billups’ shot on the last-gasp Denver miss.
Jonas Jerebko held up as well as any rookie might have while absorbing the best Anthony could deliver while contributing 12 points, eight boards and the usual assortment of hustle plays. DaJuan Summers, summoned when Jerebko ran into foul trouble, nailed a huge triple early in the fourth quarter to repel a Denver run and later picked Anthony clean. Austin Daye and Jason Maxiell combined for 15 points on a night Kuester needed scoring wherever he could find it.
And Atkins again put a steady hand on the rudder.
“You’ve got to give Chucky Atkins a lot of credit, because he’s running the team,” Kuester said. “He’s doing a great job of getting people in position.”
Atkins finished with nine points, three assists and two steals, and one night after playing a season-high 29 minutes in the win over Philadelphia, he came back with 35 to cover for the run of backcourt losses.
The good news about the Pisotns’ backcourt – or what’s left of it – is that introductions don’t take long.
“Chucky, meet Stuckey. Stuckey, Chucky.”
That’s it, in a nutshell – or, more aptly, in the ice bucket. That’s where the four sprained ankles belonging to Hamilton (right), Gordon (left) and Bynum (both) are permanently rooted these days, leaving the Pistons’ guard corps preposterously depleted.
Those still standing are Stuckey and Atkins and Atkins, 35, went into Thursday’s game with Denver off of a season-high 29 minutes in the win over Philadelphia on Wednesday.
“I feel fine physically,” he said. “I’m like any other player right now. I’m a little tired, but I get tomorrow off, rest up, come back and get ready for Saturday.”
Stuckey even made a heads-up call just before the Pistons came out of the timeout huddle with six seconds left.
“I think we tricked him a little bit,” Atkins said, ice bags strapped to both knees. “I think (Billups) was expecting me to come out there on him. I told Stuck when we were in the huddle to guard Chauncey, because he was a bigger body. I figured they were either going to go to Chauncey or go to Melo. We played it well, got a good contest from Ben Wallace and we came up with a gutsy win tonight.
“Everybody contributed and it was a great win for our ballclub.”
The Pistons led narrowly most of the night, taking it to eight midway through the third quarter and by seven entering the fourth. But Denver – at 16-6, the No. 2 team in the West behind the Lakers – cut it to two within its first three possessions.
It was right about then the feeling that something special was about to unfold infused The Palace. With the shot clock running down, Charlie V launched a desperation triple that swished. After an empty Denver possession, Summers nailed his corner triple to put the Pistons back up eight with 9:28 left.
But Denver rallied back to take a 95-94 lead on two Anthony free throws with 3:37 left, and not many thought the Pistons had enough in the tank to pull off a miracle.
They might have even surprised their coach.
“Am I surprised?” Kuester said. “I’m just glad. I’m happy that we’re weathering some of these storms. I guess that’s the best way of saying it.”
Look out, Lakers.
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TEAM COLORS
The story of the game in Pistons red, white and blue
– Charlie Villanueva came off the bench five minutes into the game and started scoring less than a minute later. He wound up with 27, but it wasn’t just his scoring that boosted the Pistons. He also grabbed five rebounds and recorded five assists and was aggressive taking the ball to the basket, which drew defenders to him, and then finding open teammates.
BLUE COLLAR – How about Chucky Atkins? At 35, he was an extreme long shot to make the roster when he agreed to a non-guaranteed contract one day before training camp opened. His numbers weren’t much to look at Thursday – 2 of 10 for nine points with three assists, two steals and two boards – but his ability to manage the offense and stay assignment-sure on defense translated to an impact far greater than the stats. He played a team-high 18:50 in the first half one night after playing a season-high 29 minutes and wound up playing 35 minutes.
RED FLAG – What else? The injury situation is about as grim as it’s ever been out at 6 Championship Drive. It’s remarkable that the Pistons have won five of six, but when the week began there was at least some optimism they’d get Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince back at some point soon. Hasn’t happened yet – and now both Ben Gordon and Will Bynum have joined them on the sidelines. Bynum said after the game he’s not sure how long he’ll be out, though he was at least walking without a noticeable limp.
If the Pistons lose just a few more guards to sprained ankles, the Lakers better start worrying – their NBA title won’t be safe. Actually, that’s all the Pistons have left – a few more guards.
Another night, another guard down, another win. [Swearing is not permitted at Club Pistons. You must edit this post prior to submitting.], hum.
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