With two games in the books, it's clear the only victories the Detroit Pistons will enjoy against this postseason are of the moral variety, so here goes: after losing each of the first seven quarters by a combined 45 points, the Pistons finally showed some fight in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, outscoring the Cavaliers 32-17. Granted, the Pistons still lost the game by a dozen, but at least they head back to Detroit having ended the game on a high note, right? OK, maybe not; briefly cutting the deficit to within single digits doesn't count for much. The Cavaliers won the game 94-82 and now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Carlos Boozer #5 of the Utah Jazz looks on in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Boozer
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot between Carlos Boozer #5, Andrei Kirilenko #47 and Paul Millsap #24 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Carlos Boozer;Andrei Kirilenko;Paul Millsap
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he runs down court in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers posts up Ronnie Brewer #9 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Ronnie Brewer
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Carlos Boozer #5 of the Utah Jazz drives on Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Boozer;Pau Gasol
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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 21: Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers flashes a look back in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Rose Garden Arena on April 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandon Roy
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Head coach Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz argues a call with referee Marc Davis #34 against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jerry Sloan;Marc Davis
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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 21: Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Jarron Collins #31 of the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trevor Ariza;Jarron Collins
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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 21: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a layup against Paul Millsap #24 of the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lamar Odom;Paul Millsap
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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 21: Television personality Lauren Sanchez watches a game from courtside between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lauren Sanchez
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LeBron James scored a game-high 29 points on just 14 field-goal attempts -- he scored the rest by attempting more free throws (17) than Detroit's entire roster combined (16). For all the talk about how the Pistons were going to throw some different looks at him defensively, it's clear that was mostly talking points recited by a bored media looking for a storyline: James did exactly what he always does, and the only reason the Pistons were able to show life in the fourth quarter is because he spent much of that time on the bench. He finished the game plus-21 in the plus/minus column.
Tayshaun Prince, meanwhile, once again failed to make any kind of impact on the game, finishing with two points on 1-5 shooting. To his credit, he's laboring through a rib injury as well as checking the most potent offensive player in the game, but the fact that he's scored all of six points in the first two games combined is one of the reasons why the Pistons can count with one finger the number of quarters they've won.
Here's something else to consider: through two games, Prince has also combined for exactly two personal fouls. It's not necessarily his style, but getting a bit more physical wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. What, can the free-throw disparity actually get worse? The Cavs attempted 43 from the stripe on Tuesday; the Pistons, 16. If more of the Pistons showed a bit more fire, maybe it wouldn't stick out so much when the big men police the paint.
James was a one-man show in Game 1, but Game 2 was a well-rounded effort: Mo Williams chipped in 21 and Delonte West 20. Rip Hamilton led the way for the Pistons with 17, Rodney Stuckey, who scored 14, was the only other starter to break double-digits.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-22-2009 @ 7:11AM
obamaizadope said...
Michael Curry should be fired before breakfast. He gets nothing out of this team. John Mason's intro's at the Palace will be embarrassing..
Reply
4-22-2009 @ 7:37AM
oldmanrdc said...
the ap writer should be fired before breakfast. any one who watched the game knows it was not just james but the rest if the starting team that had to come back in. at the start of the fourth quarter brown emptied his bench with the cavs up by 29. maybe next time he'll wait a little longer before setting down he starters. bonehead move don't want to give the pistons any kind of momentum.
Reply
4-22-2009 @ 8:24AM
rjw6683 said...
He would have looked a lot more boneheaded had a starter got hurt with a 30pt lead in the fourth. Everyone keeps talking about Lebron, but Joe Smith, Andy, Delonte, and Wallace have been dominating on defense. I can't believe what Curry has done to that team in one year. The Billups trade may have hurt a little bit, but not to that extent. Those players have the ability to still be in the top 3 defensive teams. Should have seen this coming with him out of the gate when he took a stud player like Rip Hamilton out of the starting lineup.
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4-22-2009 @ 9:46AM
ryan August said...
ill keep asking dumars please please please fire curry asap he is the worst coach i have ever seen. the players gave up on him.they watch the ball go by dont hustle,refuse to box out for rebounds they quit.this coach has no experience the players have no faith in him.also please sit stuckey i cant watch him anymore he is the worst shooter in the league and he is out of control tries to drive through the whole team and puts a brick up.curry relize that bynum should start u moron dumars please fire this clown
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4-22-2009 @ 10:10AM
ybugster said...
The only reason last nights was even a game is the Cavs were up by 29 and pulled their starters!! Thats when the pistons made their run, if the starters would have stayed in it would have been ugly. Probably a 35 pt. or more win for the Cavs. Time to re-build that other team up North!!!!
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4-22-2009 @ 10:22AM
hilryshaves said...
They should charge Rasheed admission. He spends more time standing around gawking at LeBron than the 12 year old in the 3rd row..
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4-22-2009 @ 12:17PM
carlastar26 said...
Wow how about when LeBron fell into that woman courtside and kissed & hugged her? Gotta LOVE him!
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4-22-2009 @ 1:02PM
Puck said...
Well, the first half (Iverson) of Dumar's crap shoot has come up snake eye...will the other cube (free agent) come up a 6, or are the Pistons going to take the Lions place in Detroit on the long road of pathetic? Seems like the signs point to pathetic with the other gamble of Stuckey being shaky at best.
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