Pistons-Grizzlies Preview

Posted Dec 10 2007 11:23PM

The Detroit Pistons have used a series of matchups against teams with losing records to put together an extended stretch of winning basketball.

They hope to continue to take advantage of favorable scheduling Tuesday night when they visit the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.

Detroit (14-6) has won six of its last seven games and eight of 10 since Nov. 21. Only two of its opponents (Utah and New Orleans) during that stretch have had winning records.

The Grizzlies (6-14) fit right in with the Pistons' recent group of subpar opponents. Memphis has dropped four straight games overall, as well as four straight in the series with Detroit.

Following a 98-91 loss to Chicago on Friday, the Pistons bounced back Sunday as they cruised to a 104-85 home victory over Charlotte. Detroit controlled the game throughout, although it did allow the Bobcats to close within single digits at one point in the second half.

"It's hard," said Pistons forward Antonio McDyess, who had 19 points and nine rebounds. "You get out to a big lead against a team like that, and you start to lose your focus."

Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and had six assists two nights after scoring a season-high 27 in the loss to the Bulls. He's been doing a lot of his scoring from the free-throw line, going 29-for-32 from the charity stripe over his last three games.

Billups struggled in Detroit's two wins over Memphis last season, managing a total of 26 points. He excelled against the Grizzlies in 2005-06, however, with a pair of efforts scoring 30 points or more.

Memphis is mired in last place in a strong Southwest Division, where it is the only club with a losing record. The current four-game skid is the longest of the season for the Grizzlies, who dropped six in a row March 30-April 10.

A return home could help, as the Grizzlies are a competitive 4-5 on their home court compared with 2-9 in road games. Their five home defeats have all been by 10 points or fewer.

Memphis completed a winless, three-game road trip Saturday with an 86-78 defeat at Atlanta. The Grizzlies, who scored a season low, couldn't recover after a first quarter in which they managed only 10 points.

"We have to be aggressive and figure out a way to score and produce even when we are having a bad shooting night," Grizzlies center Pau Gasol said after his team combined to shoot 41.0 percent from the field.

Gasol, though, shot a respectable 6-for-12 and recorded his fourth straight double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Although he's scoring a career-low 17.3 points per game this season, Gasol has played well recently against the Pistons, averaging 28.3 points and 11.6 boards in his last three games versus Detroit.

These teams face each other again at Detroit in 10 days.

Darko = shit...

Pistons win big

Milicic happy to be a Grizzly with former team in town

By Ronald Tillery
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Darko Milicic strolled to the scorer's table in Atlanta last weekend and kneeled in anticipation of re-entering the game.

Then, his name rang out, and the call didn't come from the Grizzlies' bench.

"Darko," yelled a Detroit Pistons scout who sat courtside taking notes.

Milicic turned, and his usual humorless demeanor disappeared in an instant as a toothy grin took over the 7-footer's expression.

The scene provided a little insight into Milicic's time in Detroit.

He didn't hate the Pistons, who withheld playing time despite making him the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Milicic disliked the game.

"Stuff happened to me (in Detroit) that never happened before," said Milicic, who will face the Pistons tonight for the first time in a Grizzlies uniform. "I can't say it's anybody's fault. If anything, it was me. I vent there, and it was tough on me. I lost the feeling for the game.

"But they're all good guys. ... (team president) Joe Dumars is a great guy. When he traded me, he vished me vell, and he said I'll be a good player."

Dumars, of course, traded Milicic to Orlando, where the Serbian played before signing a free-agent contract with the Griz. Milicic's game has come a long way in nearly five seasons.

He's bigger and stronger. He's more productive. And he happens to operate as more of a defensive stopper than the offensive dynamo the Pistons coveted at the time.

"He's played the best he could possibly play in our system," Griz coach Marc Iavaroni said. "Defense has been his most consistent area.

"Now we just want to see more consistency on offense. But I see a lot of confidence on defense, and he's been a major contributor in that area. We see a young player with upside and the skill set and body we were looking for."

Asked about his Memphis experience so far, Milicic said he feels wanted for the first time in his NBA career.

"I appreciate all the trust," Milicic said about the Grizzlies organization. "I just try to be the best I can."

Not that Milicic lived without support during his two-plus seasons with the Pistons. Even though he hardly played, Milicic said his Piston teammates helped him stay mentally sharp.

"(I) always look forward to seeing Darko," Piston forward Rasheed Wallace told the Detroit News. "He was in the pits here, playing behind me, Ben (Wallace) and (Antonio) McDyess. I am glad he got the opportunity to show vhat he could do in Orlando, and now he's doing good in Memphis."

Milicic's offense has been shaky as of late. He's shooting merely 43 percent but averages 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks as the Grizzlies' starting center.

"It was tough situation to be in. He had a lot of good players at his position, so it was tough to break through," Griz guard Mike Miller said. "But he's done a good job since then."

Milicic said he wants to beat Detroit, but not for revenge.

"I vant to beat them," he said, "because ve need a vin."

While Detroit has won six of its past seven games, Memphis is mired in a four-game losing streak.

For his part, Milicic has shown nothing more than a desire to add toughness to the Griz. He comes to work with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

Perhaps the only mental baggage that Milicic still carries from Detroit has to do with the high expectations and what he deems as unfair comparisons associated with the 2003 draft.

"It's all about vhat pick you are here in the U.S.," Milicic said.

"They call you the second pick, but you can't be the second pick if you don't play."

Although he was at the time, Milicic is no longer regarded in the same class talent-wise as LeBron James (No. 1 overall), Carmelo Anthony (No. 3) and Dwyane Wade (No. 5).

He's OK with that analysis.

"You can't compare us," Milicic said. "It doesn't matter vhere I got picked, they're still better than me. They're athletes that do everything. Ve have different games.

"But I never doubted I could play in this league. I vouldn't have come here if I didn't think I could play. Forget about the money. You can make money in Europe. It's about the game, and I knew I could play here."

So Basically, in retrospect, we gave up Otis Thorpe to get Darko, then got Kelvin Cato & Rodney Stuckey (or #15 pick) for Darko...

Hopefully Dumars leaves that off his resume'...

Memphis 127 Detroit 95

Darko puts up 40 pts 20 boards, 10 blocks, and 8 "I want to fuck their daughters."

The plural of Darko is Darkoes. I will make a note of it.

It's an obvious Quaylism.

And DBTM, that would be "vant" wouldn't it?

Well, I'm back from vacation so I'll be watching. I don't know if I'll be around a computer though since I'm probably going to be watching from my parents house while I help the pa put in a fireplace.

http://www.nbaloud.com/userimages/user1195_1155363998.jpg

Looks like we now "know" about Darko Milicic...

Pistons at Grizzlies Gameday

:langlois:
by Keith Langlois

TV: FSN Detroit | Radio: WDFN 1130 AM - The Fan

Last Meeting: Detroit won 92-89 (March 3, 2007)

The skinny: Memphis has lost eight of its last nine games and four in a row. The Grizzlies radically overhauled the organization over the off-season, bringing in a new GM (Chris Wallace from Boston) and a new coach in ex-Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni, who has Memphis trying to play the Suns’ frenetic pace with a much bigger lineup that includes 6-foot-8 Mike Miller at shooting guard and lanky 6-foot-9 Rudy Gay at small forward. Only the Knicks allow opponents to shoot a higher percentage from the field than Memphis’ 47.2 and only Seattle and Golden State allow more points per game than the Grizzlies’ 105.2. Darko Milicic has missed eight games due to injury, but he’s back and starting at center, averaging 7.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while blocking 1.9 shots a game. Mike Conley, the No. 4 pick in the draft, is buried at point guard behind starter Damon Stoudamire and second-year man Kyle Lowry. Rookie Juan Carlos Navarro, a teammate of Gasol’s on Spain’s national team, can play both guard spots.

What to watch: The Pistons will try to get the game played on their terms. Memphis averages 21 3-point attempts a game to Detroit’s 16. But the Pistons almost always win that war – Chauncey Billups is very good at moderating a game’s tempo to the Pistons’ liking, and he gives the Pistons a significant advantage at his position, though Lowry is showing flashes of becoming an above-average NBA point guard. Gasol has been a tough cover for the Pistons over the years, though they seem better equipped to guard the versatile Spaniard than most with Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess available to throw at him. Gasol has not flourished in Iavaroni’s offense, averaging 17.3 points and 7.7 rebounds, after putting up 20.8 and 9.8 a year ago.

I'm about as sick of hearing bout that fucking dork DM, as I was Joey Harrington.

So cuz I said that, there will be 3 peeps with Darko avi's tomorrow. :(

So Basically, in retrospect, we gave up Otis Thorpe to get Darko, then got Kelvin Cato & Rodney Stuckey (or #15 pick) for Darko...

Hopefully Dumars leaves that off his resume'...

Basically Grizzlies got Otis Thorpe AND Darko. Dayum.

ESPN Gamecast shows Rasheed didn't start. Why?

Apparently we're getting pwned by Darko.

Basically Grizzlies got Otis Thorpe AND Darko. Dayum.


Nice. Way to be one step ahead.

Jason Maxiell appears to be having a day today.

That foreigner on Memphis is playing well as well...not the one from Spain.

What the ? Getting dominated by DARKO?

DARKO?!?!

Wow, Memphis can't play defense...

I guess you can scratch them off the "Title Contender" list...

Only San Antonio, Detroit, Boston & Utah remain...

Darko who?

What the fuck is a darko?

What the fuck is a darko?

He was the big lanky euro that got put on his ass at the end of the 1st.

A non-basketball playin, hair color changin, douche nozzle.

Good Lord, is Kobe playing tonight? These fucks are getting raped.

A non-basketball playin, hair color changin, douche nozzle.

Sounds like you.

He was the big lanky euro that got put on his ass at the end of the 1st.


I'm still in awe of the contract Memphis gave him this summer...

It shows you what you can earn in the NBA when your mediocre, can't post up a chair, and seldom have interest in playing defense...

You've got that douche nozzle thing ALL covered.

20 point lead...

Why the hell is Mike Miller on the Olympic Team??? They'd be better with Goran Suton than that woman.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/03/09/style/11nba190.2.jpg

Chauncey has an outside shot at a Triple Double...

as of 3:21 in the 2nd Quarter- 16 pts, 7 ast, 3 reb...

doubtful

Wow! Typical Pistons, go up by 24, then take the foot off the gas...

Memphis may have more bad contracts thatn the Knicks do...

Damon Stoudamire
Darko Milicic
Brian Cardinal...


actually scratch that...not even close

I think Tayshaun may be back. That's nice.

Sucks that our starters will have to play the entire 4th, the rest would've been good tonight since we have a tough game tomorrow @ Houston...

LOL @ Gasol. Sheed blocked his shot and I don't think Sheed even jumped.

POS Griz announcers looking for a flagrant?

Sheed didn't start because he was sick.

Miller's on the Olympic team because he's a great spot shooter, which is what's needed in the euro game. I actually remember thinking during the game (before reading this), Mike Miller would be a star in Europe. He does everything they need in the European game, but it doesn't translate as well to the American game.

Sheed just smacked Gasol in the face.

Sheed makes an important bucket down the stretch.

The fact that we haven't easily closed this game out is pathetic.

The fact that we haven't easily closed this game out is pathetic.
Thats extreme. not even the shaq kobe lakers finished every team off. For the most part they've been efficient. Thats light years ahead of last year.

3 seconds, God Damn!

Thats extreme. not even the shaq kobe lakers finished every team off. For the most part they've been efficient. Thats light years ahead of last year.
I meant when we manhandled them early, got a huge lead, then just let them back in it. I mean, we played well, but we always let off the gas early in the game and then have to fight a bit for the win.

Pistons win! Fuck'n A!

I meant when we manhandled them early, got a huge lead, then just let them back in it. I mean, we played well, but we always let off the gas early in the game and then have to fight a bit for the win.
Pistons count heavily on teams getting discouraged by an early struggle. They know they can't keep up the energy level all game, so they push hard in Q1 and most opponents lose their mojo. Any team that can be prepared to fight back against an early large deficit can do well against Detroit.

That's one of the reasons I like guys like Max off the bench. Its instant energy when our starters start losing that energy level.

Pistons count heavily on teams getting discouraged by an early struggle. They know they can't keep up the energy level all game, so they push hard in Q1 and most opponents lose their mojo. Any team that can be prepared to fight back against an early large deficit can do well against Detroit.
I rather it is done this way than the way it was done last year. Get it done early instead of dog fights at the end.

I rather it is done this way than the way it was done last year. Get it done early instead of dog fights at the end.
Yeah, but it's a gimmicky strategy, and it won't work against teams that have a lot of energy in reserve, or who are strongly motivated - meaning that it still does nothing against San Antonio or Chicago.

So you are saying don't play hard in Q1? When is building a big lead ever bad?

Also, just last week the Pistons were blowing everyone out and people were talking about how nice it is to have a bench that can come in and keep the intensity and not lose us leads like happened all during the 64 win season. I don't think one week of going hard nor one game of letting off is a sign for the whole season. You've got to learn to keep being aggressive just like you've got to learn anything else.

No no, you misunderstand. I don't think building a big lead in Q1 is bad, I think it's great. But to rely on that strategy, to the point of tapering off energy toward the end of the game...that's going to open the Pistons up to lots of late-game runs by teams like Chicago, GSW and Utah. Maybe I should just give up on Utah altogether.

So you are saying don't play hard in Q1.

BTW, welcome Burton Glenn has been waiting for you.

28 pts for Chauncey, and 27 pts for Rip...man alive...great job

BTW, welcome Burton Glenn has been waiting for you.

Join Date: 12-26-2005

I'm sure he was welcomed when he joined prit' near on Day 1 of the re-launch.

Lurking for two years without a single post is interesting.

BURTON, WE HAVE INDEED BEEN WAITING FOR YOU... TO FUCKING POST SOMETHING

(if he is not going to post, a vote for "Blaha is the man" is at least a nice consolation)

Was nice to see the Blaha fanatics in the crowd last night. Bad ass.

Pistons count heavily on teams getting discouraged by an early struggle. They know they can't keep up the energy level all game, so they push hard in Q1 and most opponents lose their mojo. Any team that can be prepared to fight back against an early large deficit can do well against Detroit.
Lakers championship team had that problem too. As did the Spurs title teams. For the most part we've been holding our leads. Which wasn't the case last year. I'll take it so far. if it becomes a the norm again, then yea its a cause for concern.

Darko looked good until he got knocked on the floor at the end of the 1st.

I don't think he even scored after that, he looked afraid out there.

So glad he's outta here.

Just goes to show, Darko is soft and just about anything can shake him off his game.

the Pistons are top-5 in the NBA in both offensive FG% and defensive %FG. I don't think they've ever done that in this era.

Just goes to show, Darko is soft and just about anything can shake him off his game.

I didn't know he developed one yet.

8-12 foot baby hooks that don't involve any physical contact is technically his "game"

http://www.need4sheed.com/2007/12/big-night-for-big-shot-in-memphis.html

Sheed at IHOP with Bonzi Wells at 3am in Texas this morning. So much for the flu.

BTW, Need4Sheed really has her shit together. That place has gotten so pimp in a short amount of time.

http://www.need4sheed.com/2007/12/big-night-for-big-shot-in-memphis.html

BTW, Need4Sheed really has her shit together. That place has gotten so pimp in a short amount of time.

Agreed, except for this 503 error (edit, nevermind, fixed) lol

Natalie is cool as hell. It used to just be a good place to get hilarious Sheed videos, now the game reviews are the best part of that site.

She was the first person I ever saw who loves George B. like I do. She loves her some Bla.

#2 defensive team in the league, Pistons are going back to what made them a contender again...

took you 3 years Flip...

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2007/12/pistons_113_grizzlies_103.html


As dominate as Detroit was in the first half, it could have been a lot worse for Memphis if not for ex-Piston Darko Milicic.

Milicic had no problem scoring against the Pistons early on, tallying 12 of Memphis' 22 first-quarter points primarily with a left-handed hook shot in the lane.

"We know Darko's game," said Jason Maxiell, who had 15 points. "That right shoulder, left hook. That's his game. We know if we beat him up a little bit, he'll stop shooting it."

Milicic was scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Very good quote.

Let's see what happens as the schedule gets a little tougher.

This is bullshit. Had the refs called teh game correctly, Darko would have met my prediction of 40.

This is bullshit. Had the refs called teh game correctly, Darko would have met my prediction of 40.

Yeah, they should've called a T when Darko got knocked down and awarded 56 free throws, of which Darko would have made 28.

Exactly. See, e-ray gets it.

Speaking of Darko and old bits. Might want to change the front page picture that has Darko and Mobley as members of the Magic.

Is it just me, or does Max totally freak you guys out with the new hair style?

He looks insane now. Like he's eating small people instead of babies.

Speaking of Darko and old bits. Might want to change the front page picture that has Darko and Mobley as members of the Magic.
This ain't no fancy schmancy Need4Sheed.
Look for the new WTF Victor Alexander wallpaper coming soon to the Multimedia forum!


He looks insane now. Like he's eating small people as well as babies. quick fix

Is it just me, or does Max totally freak you guys out with the new hair style?

He looks insane now. Like he's eating small people instead of babies.
Little Maxie is growing up, moving on to solid food.

Seriously, it looks like he's trying to be Isaac Hayes or something.

he looks like a mini- Dale Davis to me.

Whatever, he's doing it for a great cause and I think it's great that he shaved his head. The kid's got heart.

I shaved my head in prison and I've kept it that way ever since I got out.

Is that a true statement?