Detroit at Boston - 11/3/06

Deleterious · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 01:10 PM

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Detroit (0-1) at Boston (0-1)

Preview

Game Info: 7:30 pm EST Fri Nov 3, 2006

TV: FxNE

By MIKE VOTTA, STATS Senior Writer

The Detroit Pistons sure looked like they could have used Ben Wallace in their first game of the season.

The Pistons continue adjusting to life without the defensive star when they visit the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Wallace spent the last six seasons with the Pistons, leading them to the Eastern Conference finals in each of the last four and the NBA title in 2004. The Pistons won a league-high and franchise-record 64 games last season with the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract with Chicago in the offseason.

Wallace's departure looked very costly, at least for one game, as the Pistons gave up 70 points in the paint in a 105-97 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Bucks started attacking the inside early, with Andrew Bogut scoring the opening basket after the Bucks grabbed rebounds off three missed shots.

"Ben's been the defensive player of the year for what, four years? That says it better than anything else," Milwaukee's Charlie Villanueva said. "They are a different team without him."

The Pistons, however, didn't want to discuss their former teammate.

"I'm so tired of you all talking about Ben," normally unflappable power forward Antonio McDyess said. "He's gone, we're not going to get him back. It's about us trying to come together as a team to find our identity now that he's gone."

Center Nazr Mohammed, signed by Detroit a day after Wallace left in July, had eight points, 12 rebounds and a blocked shot before fouling out in his Pistons debut.

"My days of worrying about numbers are long gone," he said.

All-Star Rasheed Wallace discovered Wednesday that he may have to adjust to more this season than just Ben Wallace's absence. The volatile forward, who went scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting, was ejected in the third quarter after picking up two technical fouls for bickering with officials. NBA commissioner David Stern is trying to eliminate complaining and other reactions from players following calls.

Wallace earned 16 technicals last season and broke his own league record with 41 during the 2000-01 season while playing for Portland. He once threatened an official after a game and was suspended for seven games.

The Celtics are also looking to rebound after an emotional 91-87 season-opening loss to New Orleans on Wednesday. Before the game, the Celtics honored former coach and front office executive Red Auerbach, who died of a heart attack Saturday near his Washington home at the age of 89.

The Celtics wore black, shamrock-shaped patches on their uniforms and said they will dedicate the season to Auerbach, who won nine titles as a coach and seven more in the front office. Pierce, who had 29 points and 19 rebounds, wore a white headband with the number 2 on it, symbolizing the number the Celtics had retired in Auerbach's honor.

"We wanted to win so bad," Pierce said. "We wanted to win for the fans. It was definitely emotional in my play."

Pierce, who led the Celtics with a career-best 26.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season, missed eight of 15 free throws, including four in the fourth quarter. Wally Szczerbiak added 21 points and Al Jefferson had 13.

"I thought we relied so heavily on Paul and guys stopped moving the ball," coach Doc Rivers said. "And we just can't do that."

The Pistons have dominated the Celtics recently, winning nine of the last 10 meetings, including all three last season.

Team Notes

Detroit: F Rasheed Wallace was ejected with 7:03 left in the third quarter after recording his second technical foul. He went scoreless with only three rebounds in 23 minutes. ... Coach Flip Saunders registered his first career season-opener defeat on Wednesday. Saunders fell to 6-1 all-time. ... G Flip Murray scored 10 points in his debut with the club. ... F-C Jason Maxiell collected three of Detroit's nine blocks. ... C Nazr Mohammed, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, had eight points and pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds.

Boston: This was the first Celtics season opener in 57 years held without Arnold Red Auerbach, who passed away Saturday night at the age of 89. A pre-game ceremony and moment of silence were held in his honor. The Celtics wore a black shamrock with the word Red inscribed in green on their jerseys, which they plan to wear all season in honor of their former Coach, General Manager and President. ... F Paul Pierce hauled in a career high 19 rebounds Wednesday night. ... Boston, which shot 76 percent from the free throw line last season, shot 62 percent (24-for-39) from the line. ... Of the nine players that saw playing time for Boston Wednesday night, Pierce, F Wally Szczerbiak and C Kendrick Perkins were the only one's who have been in the league longer than three years, and Perkins played in just 10 games his rookie season.

wingedwheel · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 04:40 PM

GO PISTONS!

Johnny Mac · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:01 PM

Rasheed has a huge game i think

jadefalcon · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:23 PM

If the interior defense does not improve, it will be very hard for this team to win. I don't care if Rasheed/Nazr don't score a lot. I just want them to protect the basket and rebound. If the bigs protect the paint and rebound, they'll be fine. Oh, and 22 TO's needs to improve, and I expect it to because Flip Saunders teams, while not defensively impressive, are known for their great assist to TO ratios.

Johnny Mac · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:25 PM

this game happened 10 months ago

jadefalcon · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Mac

this game happened 10 months ago

Looks like we've already won:
http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/ORLDET/boxscore.html

Johnny Mac · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadefalcon

Looks like we've already won:
http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/ORLDET/boxscore.html

looks like i was wrong about my rasheed prediction

DTownDave22 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:02 PM

I'm sorry, am I missing something? Was that game against Orlando when Rasheed was coming back from a suspension or what?

Anthony · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:04 PM

After a very disappointing (but some how foreseeable) start to the season, hopefully they turn it around. I still hate Flip.

Johnny Mac · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTownDave22

I'm sorry, am I missing something? Was that game against Orlando when Rasheed was coming back from a suspension or what?

no, i just said earlier in the thread that sheed was going to have a huge game

7 points 8 rebounds isnt huge

the title is fixed now so it doesnt matter anyway

tigerkid23 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:51 PM

I miss defense and rebounding.

illmatic774 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:10 PM

everything is looking better in the 2nd half. Celtics are getting away with a lot of fouls, but the Pistons are pulling away. 65-56.

chasfh · #13 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:10 PM

Pistons starting to create a little daylight here in the third -- up nine.

illmatic774 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:21 PM

and its evaporated.

illmatic774 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:27 PM

lets keep our starting 5 in all times... bench is putrid, except McDyess

illmatic774 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:28 PM

OMG DELFINO IS HORRIBLE HAHAHAHAH!

Wide open airball!

jadefalcon · #17 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerkid23

I miss defense and rebounding.

Me too...

They look a lot better tonight though. They've taken much better care of the ball today, and the bigs are even showing some effort out there.

jadefalcon · #18 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illmatic774

OMG DELFINO IS HORRIBLE HAHAHAHAH!

Wide open airball!

Yeah, that was pretty bad.

estrepe1 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:39 PM

From this thread I thought the Pistons were getting killed until I checked the score.

jadefalcon · #20 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:42 PM

You can really tell that the new ball is a big difference from last year. It just seems like the players are having a tougher time of holding onto the ball/securing rebounds, etc.

I hate the new ball.

jadefalcon · #21 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estrepe1

From this thread I thought the Pistons were getting killed until I checked the score.

I guess we've just been spoiled by their play from the last 3-4 years. They're not a great defenseive team anymore, imo, and we'll all have to just get used to that.

estrepe1 · #22 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadefalcon

I guess we've just been spoiled by their play from the last 3-4 years. They're not a great defenseive team anymore, imo, and we'll all have to just get used to that.

Perhaps... the Celtics scored a total of 88 points. Thats decent defense.

I am not watching so I can't tell the details. You knew the team would be different without Ben. I didn't think they would win the title with or without Ben this year anyway.

But they are still a good team... I know Flip isn't the best coach. So I understand the complaining.... I was just making a general statement about the thread.

illmatic774 · #23 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 08:56 PM

today was an amazing performance. especially the 2nd half.

jadefalcon · #24 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estrepe1

Perhaps... the Celtics scored a total of 88 points. Thats decent defense.

I am not watching so I can't tell the details. You knew the team would be different without Ben. I didn't think they would win the title with or without Ben this year anyway.

But they are still a good team... I know Flip isn't the best coach. So I understand the complaining.... I was just making a general statement about the thread.

Milwaukee was much more relentless in the way that they attacked the rim. They had the Pistons on their heels all night. From what I saw tonight (I only saw the 2nd half), most of the Celtics' shot attempts were off of jumpshots. However, I will give the Pistons credit in that they seemed to play much more inspired basketball tonight. I was proud of their effort tonight.

Truth · #25 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estrepe1

Perhaps... the Celtics scored a total of 88 points. Thats decent defense.

But they are still a good team... I know Flip isn't the best coach. So I understand the complaining.... I was just making a general statement about the thread.

They played defense, the didn't settle for jump shots all night long, Nazr almost alone kept them in the game in the 1st quarter (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks), Rasheed was actually looking to score in the paint and the bench got meaningful minutes in the 4th quarter.

There isn't a reason in the world to complain about this game or Flip, despite the tone here.

Anthony · #26 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 10:37 PM

Sheed was killin tonight. The second half was all ours. I liked the way we played. I still think the D needs to be more consistent.

DTroppens · #27 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 01:57 AM

I'm just finishing watching the game.

Offensively, I thought there was a ton to like. A lot of quick and efficient passes and we did so without turning the ball over. I think we had four or five turnovers and I remember the first one being in the third quarter. Most of them came in one flury of action.

Great balance offensively. Sheed, Prince, Muhamed, Billups and Hamilton all had strong nights either scoring, dishing off or both. In the first quarter when we needed it Muhamed looked pretty solid. I liked his activity and it looks like he'll definitely have a role. Sheed got hot and had an awesome game. Hamilton was sweet all night long.

Defensively, it's going to take some time getting adjusted to what we are now. But that said the Pistons really clamped down on the Celtics in the second half, especially in the second half. McDyess was strong on the boards and Muhamed was solid too. We held our own on the boards without Ben.

I missed the first game because of my cable TV debacle, so this was my first look at them. This was a strong performance.

I kind of can't wait until the west coast swing next week. I'll be able to watch those games live.

DrWho17 · #28 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 06:31 AM

Well, since he's going to be on the Pistons for quite some time, we should learn to spell his name right. It is officially spelled Mohammed.

Truth · #29 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTroppens

I missed the first game...

That's probably all for the best given how they played

I have a question for you...there was some talk prior to the season about the Pistons being able to do more offensively, including having more lanes to drive, without Ben. Did you notice any difference last night? It's only been a few games but I thought I saw some different things when it comes to their shot selection and balance. Rasheed especially, even though he was a complete non-factor in Game 1, seems to be looking to score inside but Billups and Rip also seem to be looking to drive more often.

Buddha · #30 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 09:58 AM

Good game for Billups. Then again, any point guard worth his salt is going to have a good game against Telfair/Rondo. Telfair is terrible. Just awful.

Good game for Sheed and McDyess. They were getting good rebounds and scoring in the paint. It's good to see the Pistons go inside.

Hey, where was Maxiell the all-star?

Domino · #31 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 10:52 AM

Like I said all along, the Pistons are going to win the title. ;)

lesgoblu02 · #32 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illmatic774

OMG DELFINO IS HORRIBLE HAHAHAHAH!

Wide open airball!

Lebron had one last night too.

He's pretty bad too though, so I can understand it.

Betrayer · #33 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 12:22 PM

I was starting to get scared in the first half, but they really showed some heart in the second half. I thought Delfino played well despite the airball. He rebounds very well from the SF position and plays solid defense. Dice was a monster on the boards. It really seemed like his aggressiveness is what got everyone else going in the second half.

I'm also glad to see the turnovers go back to their normal rate. This is the one thing that Flip teams do very well, so I figured he'd get them back on track in this regard.

All in all, it was nice to see a win after that last game, even if it is again Boston.

jadefalcon · #34 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betrayer

I was starting to get scared in the first half, but they really showed some heart in the second half. I thought Delfino played well despite the airball. He rebounds very well from the SF position and plays solid defense.

I was very pleased with his rebounding and defense as well. It's just so maddening that such a great athlete would continue to settle for jumpshots when he drive to the basket with such ease. If he would just drive to the basket more, he could become the player we are all hoping he can be (poor man's Ginobli).

Anthony · #35 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadefalcon

I was very pleased with his rebounding and defense as well. It's just so maddening that such a great athlete would continue to settle for jumpshots when he drive to the basket with such ease. If he would just drive to the basket more, he could become the player we are all hoping he can be (poor man's Ginobli).

Thats my biggest issue with Delf.

estrepe1 · #36 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddha

Good game for Billups. Then again, any point guard worth his salt is going to have a good game against Telfair/Rondo. Telfair is terrible. Just awful.

Good game for Sheed and McDyess. They were getting good rebounds and scoring in the paint. It's good to see the Pistons go inside.

Hey, where was Maxiell the all-star?

No love for Nazr? He had a good game if I look at his numbers....

jadefalcon · #37 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estrepe1

No love for Nazr? He had a good game if I look at his numbers....

Nazr had good game from what I saw. I will give him props for that. But overall, he still is going to hurt our interior defense over the coarse of the year.

Truth · #38 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadefalcon

Nazr had good game from what I saw. I will give him props for that. But overall, he still is going to hurt our interior defense over the coarse of the year.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. The defense was so horrible in the first game, starting with the perimeter defenders that it was hard to get a read on Nazr. Even with Ben the Pistons defense depended on the perimeter defenders to at least get beaten where they had Ben's help...I thought the Pistons became less effective after the rule changes or when having to contend with quick or more balanced offenses. Nazr isn't going to help with that problem but he's looked like a decent one on one defender so far and I think he and Rasheed might end up working better together than anticipated.

ridickulous4u · #39 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 01:49 PM

Ben Wallace sucks he got his butt handed to him the other night by Howard. I am glad he is gone he was getting on my nerves anyways. Almost any center in the league can grab 12-15 rebounds a game with the minutes he played but the difference is that they might actually score some points just like Mohammed is doing now.

jadefalcon · #40 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridickulous4u

Ben Wallace sucks he got his butt handed to him the other night by Howard. I am glad he is gone he was getting on my nerves anyways. Almost any center in the league can grab 12-15 rebounds a game with the minutes he played but the difference is that they might actually score some points just like Mohammed is doing now.

I can't wait to see what Nazr does against Howard.