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Pregame


Pistons lead Series: 2-1




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VS
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The Milwaukee Bucks look to even their first-round series with the Detroit Pistons, while the defending Eastern Conference champions try to regroup when the teams meet at the Bradley Center for Game 4.

The Bucks won a home playoff game against the Pistons on Saturday for the first time in 30 years as Detroit looked nothing like the team that blew out Milwaukee in the first two games of the series.

The Bucks won 124-104 in Game 3 behind 40 points from Michael Redd and a career-high 15 assists from T.J. Ford. They led by as many as 26 points and regained some momentum after losing by a combined 29 points in the first two contests on the road.

"They kicked our butts in every category they could," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "They shot the ball extremely well, they rebounded, they ran and defended. As I told our guys, we never got into playing our style of ball. They were much more aggressive than we were."

Milwaukee lost 4-1 to Detroit in the first round in 2004 and 4-0 in the 1989 conference semifinals. The Bucks' last playoff home win over the Pistons came in the opening round of the 1976 playoffs, a best-of-three series they lost 2-1.

The Bucks are trying to win a playoff series after falling behind 2-0 for the first time in franchise history.

"Nobody can ever say now that this Bucks team hasn't won a playoff game in a while," Bucks rookie Andrew Bogut said. "It's just great to get your first win."

The Pistons' Ben Wallace picked up two early fouls and was ineffective, with one point, one block and five rebounds. Richard Hamilton picked up a flagrant foul for elbowing Redd in the third quarter and a technical foul as frustrations began to mount for Detroit.

"Sometimes losing games like this is a good thing for the team," Pistons guard Chauncey Billups said. "You don't want to lose, but sometimes it's a good to get everybody back to doing what we do."

Billups scored 26 points and the Pistons shot 49 percent from the field, but they couldn't keep up with Milwaukee, which shot 66 percent in the third quarter to blow open the game. Redd had 15 points in the quarter to help the Bucks beat the Pistons for only the second time in nine games.

Milwaukee made 11 of 17 3-pointers and shot 60.3 percent overall.

"Good offense leads to good defense," Redd said. "Getting an open shot is better than shooting a poor shot and trying to get back on defense."

The Pistons lost back-to-back games only twice all season and one of those times was the last two contests of the regular season, when they rested their starters.

"We're not worried," Wallace said. "We still have control of the series."

Detroit has never lost a series in which it has led 2-0.

Game 5 is Wednesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2006050115

Last game: Pistons lose 124-104 (http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5640)

Game 3 Statistical Leaders



Points:
Chauncey Billups 26
Michael Redd 40

Rebounds:
Antonio McDyess 8
Three tied 7

Assists:
Chauncey Billups 6
TJ Ford 15

Steals:
Chauncey Billups, Tony Delk 2
TJ Ford, Bobby Simmons 2

Blocks:
Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince 1
Jamal Magloire 2

Bench Points:
Pistons: 43
Bucks: 47




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Round 1 schedule:

1. Sun, Apr 23 – Pistons win, 92-74
2. Wed, Apr 26 – Pistons win 109-98
3. Sat, Apr 29 – Bucks win 124-104
4. Mon, May 1 – at Milwaukee (TBA, WB20)
5. Wed, May 3 – at Detroit (TBA, WB20)
6.* Fri, May 5 – at Milwaukee (TBA, WB20)
7.* Sun, May 7 – at Detroit (TBA, WB20)

*if necessary

If the Kings can beat the Spurs...twice, then ya never know. We will win this series, but after our performance in game 3, I'm not sure about the 5 games anymore.

Play some friggin D and we'll be fine.

Better show up tonight.

This team shows up tonight fo sure and it's over in 5. No worries here.

Who doesn't think Ben will have 15+ rebounds and 3+ blocks tonight?

Pistons by 9.

I do think we need to watch out for Magliore tonight.

His heritage always makes him a threat.

Pistons in OT.

Sorry if I messed with the chat room again tonight guys. Not sure what is going on.

How hurt must Rip be? They completely stopped running Rip off screens, which oh by the way is about 1/3rd of our offense.

I didn't see much of game 3, did Rip not run off screens that game too?

He doesn't appear to have any speed and that ankle appears to have affected that shot of his.

Billups looks like he's in slow motion out there too. Something doesn't look right with the entire offense.

Anybody got a video of that half-time feature?

Huge win.

Easier than last year. Lost game 3 gave up 115 and were down 7 with 3:30 left.

Now Ben bitches cause Flip made the right move. WHo the fuck cares, fuck him.

Sleep easy!!! Pistons are winners BITCHES!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

good game. nice to see the Pistons assert themselves at the end. basically, the pistons made plays and the bucks made mistakes. typical of a young team vs a veteran team.

pistons should close it out at home on wednesday.

btw, can we petition to get kelly tripucka out of there? he sucks.

He'd be better if he had been watching this team more than 4 times a season for the last 4 years. They were in teal the last time he was blaha's partner.

He clearly doesnt have the same knowledge of the pistons as he used to.

They should have taken my advice and sat Rip from the get-go. He might be healed now. Maybe they'll get it right the second time: Unless it goes to game 7, don't play Rip again. At all. He's playing like garbage anyway.

Bucks won't keep shooting 60%, and they sure as hell can't beat us twice in Detroit--with Rip or without him.

Rip didnt look injured tonight, he just sucked.

That play where he blew by 2 bucks for the layup off the steal showed me he wasnt having trouble running.

He'd be better if he had been watching this team more than 4 times a season for the last 4 years. They were in teal the last time he was blaha's partner.

He clearly doesnt have the same knowledge of the pistons as he used to.

that's exactly what he sounds like......like's studied up on the Pistons press package before the game. we should have set a playoff color commentary roster and left KT off of it.

Oh yeah: and Ben was clearly outplayed by Dice tonight, on BOTH ends. He has to get his head out of his ass and start playing his game.

I can't remember the last time Ben got benched an entire playoff 4th quarter and the Pistons won.

I can't even fault Flip for doing it. Dice was the better player tonight.

can anyone who saw the first half comment on WTF was wrong w/ Ben? just early foul trouble? no energy? does he need a scolding from Mrs. Big Ben again?

can anyone who saw the first half comment on WTF was wrong w/ Ben? just early foul trouble? no energy? does he need a scolding from Mrs. Big Ben again?

Both.

Ben got some cheap fouls again, but quite frankly he played like shit regardless.

Rip didnt look injured tonight, he just sucked.



You need Dr Rhamani. He was clearly slowed by the ankle problems and wasn't getting his normal lift on those jumpers.

So his ankles had something to do with his careless(than usual) ballhandling?

Big Been

whew, if we lost this one i was gonna label tripucka to be bad luck.

one thing though. the bucks(especially ford) were talking alot of shit in this one. overzealous as fuck. I love the icer sheed nailed in their face while jawing back at them the whole way. these bitches got cocky with the wrong team.

The Pistons always lose one game. I never get worried until they show me the 1 loss wasnt a fluke.

Anyone else worried as shit about Sheed's techs? I mean, the NBA has shown they clearly don't give a fuck about throwing a series based on some tiny shit (Artest's weak elbow to manu). Can't wait untill Sheed has to miss an ECF or Finals game.

He only has 2 techs. I'm not going to sweat over it until he's 1 away.

I don't see anybody on Cleveland or Washington that can irriate him like Bogut. Varejo just makes him laugh.

BTW according to Flip, Ben told him to keep Dice in the game during the 4th. Ben didn't want to come back in.

BTW according to Flip, Ben told him to keep Dice in the game during the 4th. Ben didn't want to come back in.

You think Flip trying to spin it to save himself from another public "drama"? The way he responded to the question seemed fishy. It's like he expected the question so he responded before the reporter finished asking the question and he tried to throw in a little joke about Ben saying "they probably wouldn't let me play anyways" (referring to fouls) with a fake laugh thrown in for good measure. Something just seemed off. In a similar way as when Ben pulled that act in Orlando and Flip said "Ben couldn't go" in his post game. When in fact he didn't refused to go.

It's like he expected the question so he responded before the reporter finished asking the question and he tried to throw in a little joke about Ben saying "they probably wouldn't let me play anyways"

Obviously he expected the question. It's probably the 1st time Ben's sat out an entire 4th quarter in a playoff game.

I think you're reading a bit too much into this. Ben wouldnt refuse to play in a playoff game.

It's like he expected the question so he responded before the reporter finished asking the question and he tried to throw in a little joke about Ben saying "they probably wouldn't let me play anyways"

Obviously he expected the question. It's probably the 1st time Ben's sat out an entire 4th quarter in a playoff game.

I think you're reading a bit too much into this. Ben wouldnt refuse to play in a playoff game.

I'm not saying he refused. I'm saying, maybe Flip didn't ask him to go back in to begin with. I don't know, it just sounded weird when he said it. He sounded almost nervous talking about it.

And BTW, if I told you 3 years ago that Ben Wallace would refuse to go back into ANY game in the future, what would you say?

btw, can we petition to get kelly tripucka out of there? he sucks.

I thought KT was great, especially compared to the alternative. It was cool that he was getting excited. I kept waiting for him to pull out the old "It's tiiiiiime to make some donuts!" It was nice to see "Kelly's Keys" again. Good times.

Seriously, who would you rather have, John Long?

Daddy Rich would be sweet too, he does a great job on TV, IMO.

If in fact Ben is sparring with Flip (again), is anyone concerned in the slightest that this could be something that effects him re-signing with the Pistons this summer? I know, I know, the standard answer is "Big Ben is not going anywhere" but when there is "smoke" like this, the question should at least be asked.

I know that we are all pulling for the Bulls to knock out the Heat, but if that happens, does that make them a more attractive destination for a free agent like Ben? I'm inclined to say no, especially since I'm guessing that Peja's pretty much a lock there anyways. I don't think they have the cap room to afford adding two big salaries.

Chicago has around 18-20 million in cap space. How many lunies is that? Regardless, they can add whoever they want.

Chicago has around 18-20 million in cap space. How many lunies is that? Regardless, they can add whoever they want.

So yes, it's possible that they can sign both Peja and Ben with 20 million.(given that both of those guys were interested).

But they'll need $$ for their draft picks too, right? Especially the high lotto pick from the NYK (I just started laughing again). And they'd still have to fill out the rest of their roster, I think they only have like 7 or 8 guys under contract for next year.

When that is done, that $20 mil might start looking like $10-12 mil, which is probably one very, very good player, but not two.

Ben reminds me of the kid that you are beating so bad on the playground that he suddenly develops a mythical ankle sprain or other injury as a way to create a diversionary excuse for his poor play.

I have seen this under performance by Ben previously. The Indiana series last year when Jeff Foster abused Ben comes to mind. Ben usually bounces back fine but there's this pouty nature to Ben that's always been there. I would love to know why he didn't want to go back into the game...hopefully more to come on this one.

This is really the point in time that it's too bad Darko didn't live up to expectations. If Darko had come close to what some thought he would we may have some options in deciding whether to sign Ben or not. As it stands now Dumars is pretty much backed into a corner in trying to keep Ben even if it means holding on to him on the downside of a great career.

Also, as I mentioned last night Rip is very hurt right now. The Pistons are not even attempting to run off any picks or screens. Rip has become a player that is expected to fill the open space and shoot stand still jumpers. A good 1/3rd of our offense is gone till he gets that ankle right. I think it would of been best to sit him these last few games. I will be pissed if that ankle injury lingers on.

Also, as I mentioned last night Rip is very hurt right now. The Pistons are not even attempting to run off any picks or screens. Rip has become a player that is expected to fill the open space and shoot stand still jumpers. A good 1/3rd of our offense is gone till he gets that ankle right. I think it would of been best to sit him these last few games. I will be pissed if that ankle injury lingers on.

They were treating Rip's thigh, too.

I don't think you sit Rip for game 5, but if they can use him sparingly and still win, that is obviously ideal. They need to pull out all of their weapons and put the Bucks away so the whole team can get ready for the next round, not just Rip.

ummm i think theres some overblowing going on. Dice was busting his ass out there. Possibly ben feared a hack-a-ben situation. who knows. but i dont think its a problem.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/SPORTS03/605020407/1051


Just like in Game 3, Ben Wallace had two fouls midway through the first quarter. He played only 27 minutes Monday and decided to forego the final few minutes, telling Pistons coach Flip Saunders to allow Antonio McDyess (11 points, 11 rebounds) to finish out the game.

"(I had) four fouls in 27 minutes," said Wallace, who finished with one point and four rebounds. "They didn't need to put me out there and foul two more of them. It is what it is."

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/SPORTS03/605020407/1051


Just like in Game 3, Ben Wallace had two fouls midway through the first quarter. He played only 27 minutes Monday and decided to forego the final few minutes, telling Pistons coach Flip Saunders to allow Antonio McDyess (11 points, 11 rebounds) to finish out the game.

"(I had) four fouls in 27 minutes," said Wallace, who finished with one point and four rebounds. "They didn't need to put me out there and foul two more of them. It is what it is."

I think it's pouting if you ask me. I would like to think Ben's above this but history has shown he acts in peculiar ways if his play isn't up to his standards. I am sure I am wrong but just a feeling I have is all.

Ben is fine. Nothing worry about. No big deal.

If in fact Ben is sparring with Flip (again), is anyone concerned in the slightest that this could be something that effects him re-signing with the Pistons this summer? I know, I know, the standard answer is "Big Ben is not going anywhere" but when there is "smoke" like this, the question should at least be asked.

I know that we are all pulling for the Bulls to knock out the Heat, but if that happens, does that make them a more attractive destination for a free agent like Ben? I'm inclined to say no, especially since I'm guessing that Peja's pretty much a lock there anyways. I don't think they have the cap room to afford adding two big salaries.

Why would the Bulls want Peja? Nocioni > Peja AND Deng > Peja. They already have 2 guys at his position that are younger and better. They'll be all after Ben, Gooden, Harrington, Nene, etc. Peja is at the very bottom of their team needs.

It has been known for about 3 years now that Peja's really interested in Chicago, mostly because of the large Greek and Serbian populations there.

Maybe the Bulls won't be interested, you're right, but they'll have the cap room if they are.

Nocioni certainly is improving in a hurry, so that may, in fact, change things.

molehill=mountain.

It has been known for about 3 years now that Peja's really interested in Chicago, mostly because of the large Greek and Serbian populations there.

About 3 years ago, Peja was still worth going after. IMO, he really lost a step over the last couple of years.

In otherwords him and Mike Bibby to a certian extent aint shit without the Webber of old. His passing along with Vladdy's passing made Peja better than what he ever was.

It has been known for about 3 years now that Peja's really interested in Chicago, mostly because of the large Greek and Serbian populations there.

About 3 years ago, Peja was still worth going after. IMO, he really lost a step over the last couple of years.

That's true, but a team loking to add an outside shooter could do a lot worse (not saying that is what the Bulls need).

Fact: the Pacers are 2-0 in their series with NJ when Peja plays and 0-3 when he doesn't.

peja is a compliment player who needs a set up man. he'd get that in chi-town. but either way who cares about peja. he's a softy loser.

Peja is scheduled to do well in the playoffs next year. Its an odd year.

Update:

Playoffs
Indy with Peja 2-0
Indy without Peja 0-4

Anybody got any idea when Game 1 might be scheduled for? I got tickets and I wanna make sure I don't got any conflict