17-16

Outclassed. Outhustled. Outplayed.

The biggest game of the year, and we fold like a Thai ladyboy. Sure, the Big Pepperoni broke out of his coma, but that’s about the only positive to take from this game, unless you consider watching obnoxious Americans ‘woot woot’ while holding their misspelled signs up for ESPN a positive…which I do not.

Bargnani played his best game of the season by far, coming out of the gates firing. When his first two jumpers didn’t fall, he drove to the net, making the adjustment we’ve all been begging for since the season began. For his efforts he was rewarded with 13 points at halftime to lead all scorers.

See what happens when you don’t camp out on the three point line? You don’t park a Ferrari, you DRIVE IT.

He put on a show for the Yankee audience. His game (and season) high 25 might have been enough to eek out a victory if our (usually dependable) bench, our pride and joy, was able to muster more than 5 total points (all by Humphries). That’s pretty sad/pathetic/disgraceful (pick one!), considering reserves Rodney Stuckey and Jarvis Hayes individually outscored our bench by themselves, both ‘going off’ for 8 points. What an ugly game it was for Delfino, Humphries, Kapono, and Dixon. I expected more from Delfino for sure. Instead of using his knowledge of the Pistons to his advantage, he looked lost for most of his 14 minutes.

Detroit rolled along for its 11th straight, though there was never really a threat. Every time we cut the lead to 8, 6, 5, 2 points, they calmly came back and scored easy, uncontested baskets that halted the momentum and deflated the crowd.

We got beat across the board:

Outrebounded by 11.
Outassisted by 8.
They shot over 50% (including 50% from three), we shot 41%.
They were 83% from the line, we struggled to 63%.
Our bench got killed by their rookie-filled subs 27-5.

The game may have been close in stretches, but the Pistons were clearly in control from the opening tip.

Sheed was open for too many threes, Rip had all the open 8 footers he wanted, and Chauncey scored easy bucket after easy bucket. Jose and Juan just can’t guard him. There are some who will say that TJ would have made Billups work harder on the defensive end (which might have impacted his offence), but I still think that Mr. Big Shot would have destroyed Ford on offence as well.

Like Lionel Ritchie said, all night long.

Bosh was the only Raptor on the boards. It’s a weakness that is going to sting all season long unless someone other than Bosh and Humphries (who grabbed 6 on an off night) steps up and hits the glass. Jamario, I’m singling you out. You HAVE to grab more than three boards.

I feel like I type this twice a week, but we settled for too many jumpers. And since we seem to be allergic to offensive rebounding, which, last I checked, is just as important as boarding on the defensive end, a missed jumper signals end of possession. I don’t understand for the life of me why we don’t TAKE IT TO THE FUCKING HOLE. Detroit doesn’t have any shot blocking threats to speak of, yet guys like Jamario and Bosh routinely pulled up for contested jumpers. It’s baffling, to say the least.

Detroit players fight each other for boards, just to make it interesting.

It’s becoming very clear: In the East there’s Boston, Detroit…and the rest.

GAME NOTES:

Pre-game, Rasheed gives love to all Raptor starters…but avoids Bosh. Anyone know the history behind this?
Nothing’s more condescending than the guys who buy their girl an ‘official’ pink rhinestoned Chris Bosh jersey. Way to make her feel equal, buddy. Cheesier than pointy sideburns and silk shirts combined.
As Arsenalist pointed out, Detroit has 4,000 power forwards.
Jason Maxiell can’t cover Bosh. Unfortunately for us, Bosh didn’t make him, or anyone else.
Check out this Driveway Challenge. Great promo idea. If I win, I’ll hold a contest to pick my teammate, and we can get dunked on together.
Primoz does a lot of celebrating on the bench for an insignificant practice pylon. What’s up with the sweatband? It’s not like you’re actually playing.
We’re in the penalty with 2:16 left. Perfect time to whittle the lead. So we go out there and miss free throws. And don’t we consider ourselves a group of ‘shooters’?
Primoz and Hermann chatted the night away on the bench. It didn’t look like any other Piston so much as acknowledged their existence. They’re the obvious outcasts of the team, the grungy skaters that hang out behind the portables painting their nails black and flicking cigarettes at squirrels.
When Primoz hit the court to “contribute” his 2 minutes, 1 board, I’m pretty sure I saw Walter whip out the sudoku.
Sheed avoided a T in the first that he clearly deserved. He was jawing at the officials, who for the first time in his career, decided to look the other way. Strangely, I’m glad I was there for this. I’ll be able to tell my children I witnessed this miraculous event.
Though Bosh had 23, the number inflates his actual impact.
Jamario needs to be tasered every time he takes a shot. There doesn’t seem to be any other way to stop him.
Jose routinely nailed TOUGH jumpers, often fading right to left to avoid getting blocked.
Kapono has taken 1 shot in the last TWO GAMES. I’m pretty sure that’s not what we’re paying 6 mill a season for. And since he doesn’t pass, rebound, or play defence, what is he doing?
Juan Dixon is not a suitable backup point guard. I’ve never waivered on this.
ESPN went handheld through the arena looking for Detroit fans. I wonder who’s side they were on?