ClutchFans Game Thread: Pistons @ Rockets 3/22/2007

Thought they played great first 3 qrts. but they need to finish games stronger.

Excellent pic here http://sports.sohu.com/20070323/n248921583.shtml

 

Who is rocket better defender? J.Howard or K.Synder?

 

Howard

 

woo...didn't expect that

 

Bonzi i need U !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Is that a wardrobe malfunction? If not Im buying courtside seats from now on and bringing my digital camera

 

WOW!!!

 

I agree, that was one of the best press conferences that I have heard from JVG. What is amazing to me is how fresh that Dallas series loss in his mind. He still thinks about Games 3, 4, and 7 of that series.

 

Good game last night

I was not very impressed with Alstons game, it needs its own thread

 

OMG if that happened (and Chuck was resigned) I would be the happiest person on God's green earth!!

Tay Tay is my second favorite player!

 

they don't know how to use centers.

20 % teams in this league have centers.

 

Detroit Free Press story on the game

Rockets snap Pistons' streaks
March 23, 2007

BY KRISTA JAHNKE

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

HOUSTON -- The Pistons' hot shooting and road invincibility, both so remarkable the past few weeks, flitted away in Houston on Thursday.

The Rockets snapped a six-game losing streak to the Pistons with a 91-85 win. That also ended the Pistons six-game road winning streak. After six games of shooting more than 50% from the floor, the Pistons shot 40.4%, including 3-for-17 on three-point attempts.

"They were a really good defensive team," said point guard Chauncey Billups, who returned to the starting lineup from a strained groin injury. "They pack the paint, and they make you shoot jump shots. And if the jump shots aren't going, it makes for a tough time."

Rockets center Yao Ming, who scored 27 points while shooting 10-for-19 from the floor, picked up two fouls within the first 90 seconds. But the Pistons could not force him into a third foul -- mostly because they settled for jump shots.

"They sag a lot," coach Flip Saunders said. "They take away all your inside penetration. Not until late did we start to get a little bit aggressive and find some success."

After falling behind in the second half by 20, the Pistons closed to within four with a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter. Billups hit a fast-break three-pointer to end that run with 2:44 left.

"Once we started fighting at the end, we closed the gap," said Billups, who had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. "We were the most aggressive team at that point in the game and kind of had them on their heels a little bit."

But they couldn't get closer, even with the Rockets shooting 1-for-4 on free throws in the final minute. Billups missed a free throw and a three-pointer. Antonio McDyess, who grabbed seven rebounds and led the Pistons with 16 points, left a reverse lay-up a touch short. Carlos Delfino had a runner blocked by Yao and missed a lay-up. And Rasheed Wallace, who scored 13 and had nine rebounds, missed a deep three-point attempt.

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady, under heavy one-on-one pressure most of the way from Tayshaun Prince, shot 9-for-24 and finished with 20 points.

In the first half, the Pistons (43-24) shot 37% and fell behind by 14. They missed 12 of their first 14 shots.

And while they played on the perimeter, the Rockets banged inside.

They shot 16 free throws in the first half compared with two for the Pistons. Yao missed only two shots and had 16 points before halftime.

"He was a catalyst for them getting out to such a big lead," Chris Webber said. "What more can you say?"
Richard Hamilton, who scored 12 points and played despite sitting out the shoot-around with a sore thigh muscle, has 13 technicals. He was called for one in the second quarter after receiving a reach-in foul call on Rafer Alston as Saunders yelled, "Rip, let it go!" No. 16 comes with a one-game suspension.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
postgame quotes

Postgame Quotes - March 22, 2007

Pistons Head Coach Flip Saunders
(On the game) "We came out and fell behind too quickly. They took out our inside penetration and we weren't able to make our shots. We dug ourselves into a big hole. We started playing in the second half like we have been playing. When we start poorly we struggle and that puts a lot of pressure on us."
(On his team's play) "I went with the guys out on the court in the fourth quarter because they were getting the job done. (Antonio) McDyess was playing his butt off and Rasheed (Wallace) I thought had a good second half. Rasheed (Wallace) has to keep his mouth shut. I can't really yell at the refs because our guys are yelling so much that I have to stay off them."

Pistons Forward Antonio McDyess
(On the game) "Our comeback came too late. We didn't prepare well to get off to a fast start. We played catch-up all game and eventually you run out of gas when you are in an uphill battle."

(On the Rockets) "They are pretty good. They are an excellent club and will surprise a lot of people and will sneak up on somebody. They have a lot of talent."

Pistons Center Chris Webber
(On Yao Ming's play) "He had a great game and was the catalyst for them getting out to a big lead early. (Antonio) McDyess did a great job on him in the second half."

(On Detroit's recent play) "We'll have to play our game and we will be okay. We are a good team and that is how we should look at it. I love playing against the best teams and players because that is what it is all about. We are getting ready for the playoffs and these games get us ready."

(On the Western Conference playoff outlook) "I remember playing in the West and knowing that anybody can upset somebody else. The Rockets play playoff ball and I really like their success in the playoffs. The playoffs are a whole different story. All I want is the trophy and a championship and I don't care about the individual honors."

Pistons Guard Richard Hamilton
(On how he feels) "I'm cool. I just hate taking a beating every game and not get rewarded by going to the free throw line. It's a tough and frustrating situation."

(On the Rockets) "They have a inside and outside game. They play well as a team and defend very well. They definitely have a chance in the playoffs."

Pistons Guard Chauncey Billups
(On the game) "Early in the game they (Houston) did a good job defensively. They packed the paint and they jumped out on us early. We made it a game in the second half but we couldn't get over the hump. We had them on their heels."

(On how he felt with his injury) "It was tight early and then at half-time. It started loosening up after the half and then I attacked the basket and I was feeling better by the fourth quarter. The wrap just wouldn't stay on so I threw it off and I think I will be alright for the next game."

(On the Rockets) "It was a tough uphill battle against a very good defensive team that is very well coached. Yao (Ming) is unstoppable and there is not much you can do against him. He's just very tough to defend."




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rockets Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy
(On whether he should have pulled Yao Ming after his 1st 2 fouls) "Yeah, you always think about that. I don't subscribe to the notion that you have to take a guy out after 2, take him out after 3. I don't like to foul my guys out and watch them play less minutes and have them have 3 fouls and play 24 minutes."

(On the 4th quarter) "I was very happy with the 1st 3 quarters. Unfortunately, I've seen in the 4th quarter where we get a lead, we don't have a finishing mentality and that lack of finishing mentality, if we can't correct it within the next 27 days will come back to bite us at the most inopportune time. As I shared with Tracy (McGrady) and Yao (Ming), it already has-- 2 years ago against Dallas up 2, 80-82, 2 straight games, no finishing mentality. It cost us. Obviously, we looked at the scoreboard and we played the score instead of the game and it could have cost us tonight, but in the bigger picture it already has cost us before and it will cost us again unless we get it corrected."

(On whether rebounding had an impact in the 4th quarter) "That's part of it, that's a big part of it. It changed in the 4th dramatically. Getting beat off the dribble, making mistakes, (Carlos) Delfino got 2 3s off mistakes, Chauncy Billups got a 3 off a mistake."

Rockets Forward Chuck Hayes
(On the win) "It's a good win. Right now, they (Pistons) are in the head front in the Eastern Conference and for the past couple of years, they've been a very strong team. We needed this one. We were able to get on them in the 1st 3 quarters, we slipped up there in the 4th, but we finished and we got the win."

(On the Rockets' defense of Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace) "(Rasheed) Wallace got in foul trouble and I think that's one of the things that helped us out. We didn't want to give (Chris) Webber too many open looks and we wanted to take away his passing ability because he's such a great passer for a big man. We took away his passing lanes and Rasheed (Wallace) was, thankfully, able to get in foul trouble which took him out early."

Rockets Center Yao Ming
(On the game) "We all played great the first three quarters. In the 4th quarter, the Pistons took it (the level) up and I think that's the level we're going to see in the playoffs. We didn't play that well in the 4th, but that's a good lesson for us and we're going to learn and prepare for the playoffs."

(On his block of Carlos Delfino with 24 seconds remaining) "Well, I had no choice but to play. You have to go to the 1st shot. I knew there was a guy behind me, my man (Antonio) McDyess. Because he shoots, I can't just stay there waiting for him to miss it, I have to go (after the ball)."

Rockets Guard Rafer Alston
(On the game) "It's a good win. Whenever you play against a championship caliber team and you come up with a victory, it's always good. We played a hard 3 quarters, but in the 4th quarter, we took our foot off the pedal. If we would have kept our foot on the gas and kept revving it up, then it would have been an impressive win."

(On the Rockets' good start tonight) "You hope to start good. We have our ups and downs the way we start games. Tonight we came out with good energy and the good thing is that we were able to move the ball and establish Yao (Ming) and establish Tracy (McGrady) early. Also, when they (Pistons) doubled, we were able to get wide-open looks."

Rockets Forward Shane Battier
(On the win) "They (Pistons) are playing really well and I wouldn't be surprised if they are in the NBA Finals representing the Eastern Conference. Any time you can beat one of the best teams in this league, it's a good night."

(On the Rockets' fast start) "We had to bring our 'A' game. We were really ready to play early on. We jumped out and we played 3 great quarters."

(On the Rockets' 4th quarter difficulties) "In the 4th quarter, we lost our concentration a little bit. That's a veteran team that we played out there tonight. They know how to turn it up in the 4th quarter and we really weren't prepared for that. Overall, it was a good effort, but we'd like to finish the game a little bit better."

 

Hell f'n yeah...I love to win...

 

This made me laugh:

http://info.detnews.com/pistons/lettersindex.cfm