I took notes on the Pistons-Mavericks game last night. Here they are:
I know Boris Diaw is probably going to win the most improved player award, and rightfully so, but DeSagana Diop has to get a couple of votes. He took over the starting job from Erick Dampier and has started a total of 34 games for one of the top teams in the league.
I remember when arenas weren't allowed to play music during play. It's early in the first, and Queen's "We Will Rock You" is blasting as the Mavericks run their offense.
Ben Wallace is 42% from the freethrow line? How are you a starter in the NBA and you can't shoot freethrows?
A Rasheed Wallace three puts the Pistons up 13-10 with 5:25 left in the first. Timeout Mavericks.
With Keith Van Horn in the game, I can't but help think about before the 1997 draft, when the Spurs were actually considering drafting Van Horn over Tim Duncan with the top pick. Today's NBA would be drastically different if it happened.
After a technical foul, two freethrows, and a Van Horn dunk, the Mavs tie the score at 17. Timeout Pistons.
A Dale Davis sighting! Who outside of Detroit knew he was still playing?
A Jerry Stackhouse jumper puts Dallas up 24-23 at the end of the first quarter.
29-23 after Van Horn hits a three in transition.
Erick Dampier's upper body looks way too big for his lower body. I'm surprised he doesn't tip over every time he gets bumped.
Darrell Armstrong plays pretty good one on one defense. Granted, he's guarding Tony Delk, but still.
Stackhouse is cold blooded, hitting jump shot after jump shot, the latest putting the Mavs up 37-30.
39-33 a Sheed three hits the front of the rim, bounces straight up and falls in.
Great vision from Jason Terry as he hits a cutting Dirk Nowitzki for a lay up, and one. Mavs up 42-37.
Another Sheed three ties the game at 42.
I'm not sure why you would want Richard Hamilton guarding Dirk, but he was, and Dirk scored on a reverse lay up.
A Chauncey Billups three gives the Pistons the lead 47-44 with 1:38 left in the half.
You know your point guard(Jason Terry) is pretty good when he can get Keith Van Horn a dunk off a pick and roll.
Terry hits a tough three with Billups in his face to tie it at 50 with about ten seconds left in the half.
Billups hits two freethrows late to put the Pistons up 52-50, and that's the difference going into the half.
Stackhouse picks up where he left off, hitting a jumper 1:40 into the second half, tying it at 52.
Marquis Daniels picks up his fourth foul with 9:58 left in the third.
The Dallas announcers are starting to get on my nerves because they are being very devout "homers." Mainly it's their analyst Bob Ortegel.
Billups hits Ben Wallace for a dunk, and one.
A 6-0 run puts the Pistons up 60-54. Mavs call a timeout with 6:59 left in the third.
Tayshaun Prince makes a nice pass to Billups, putting the Pistons up 65-59 with 3:40 left in the quarter.
With 3:04 left in the third, Detroit picks up just its third turnover of the game. That's why this team has won 55 games.
A Van Horn three brings the Mavs to within three, 72-69, and the third quarter comes to a close.
Another Van Horn three ties it at 74 in the early minutes of the fourth.
Nowitzki gets a dunk in the lane to put the Mavericks up 80-78.
These teams have been trading baskets since about 9:00 left in the game. It's now about 4:30 left in the game and Dallas is up 88-86.
Fight! Actually, Jerry Stackhouse and Carlos Delfino just got tangled up and threw each other to the ground and had to be separated. Delfino got called for an offensive foul, but that was the extent of it. Should make for an interesting last four minutes.
Shoe Alert: Richard Hamilton is wearing white, blue, and black Air Jordan XXI's.
Never leave the shooter. Nowitzki helps on a pick and roll and leaves Billups wide open for a three before Jason Terry can recover. 92-88 Pistons.
Ben Wallace's dunk is blocked at the rim by Erick Dampier. Don't see that very often.
I don't think I've heard an arena this loud on TV before.
Clutch. Billups hits a jumper with Dirk in his face, 94-90 Detroit.
On the other end, Stackhouse throws a pass right to the arms of Tayshaun Prince.
Tayshaun Prince hits one for two from the freethrow line putting the Pistons up 95-90.
Dirk misses a three and Billups gets the rebound and is fouled with 13.8 seconds left, that should do it.
Billups hits both freethrows and the Mavs turn it over to end the game. 97-90 Pistons.
So the Pistons stay atop the NBA's standings in a close game. Pistons play again tonight at Philadelphia on ESPN followed by the Jazz at the Nuggets on ESPN2. Be sure to catch the games.
