The Pistons are still Pumping Strong

Whoever thought the Detroit Pistons had slowed down this season could not have been more wrong. In the words of LeBron James, who was at the receiving end of the Pistons’ power, ‘They’re still a powerhouse.’ The Pistons turned in an inspired performance to tame the Cleveland Cavaliers 87-71 on Thursday night.

The Pistons were as usual strong on defense, and had the big ones from Chauncey Billups, who started slow, but really picked up speed in the fourth quarter, getting in 12 of his 17 from that quarter. The final period was also the time when the entire Pistons team picked up their game, getting in 30 points. Their defense was also strong during that period, as was evident by the mere 12 points that they let Cleveland take in that period. Not just that, they held LeBron James to just one field goal in that entire period.

Chauncey Billups, at the end of the first three quarters, had just one success in nine tries. However, by the end of the first 3:02 minutes, he had gotten into the groove, dropping three jumpers, including two 3-pointers, as the pistons shot ahead to 71-58. He said he played to his plan, and that the Cleveland guys fell for it. His plan? Miss a few early ones, let the Cleveland players fall for it, and then turn on the heat towards the end, with unerring accuracy. It worked, as was evident from the numbers. James was full of praise for him as well.

Besides Billups, the others who came good for the Pistons were Tayshaun Prince with 16 points and Antonio McDyess with 11 points and an equal number of rebounds. All of this in that amazing fourth quarter, as they moved to 16-8, topping the Central Division. For the Cavaliers, James came good with 26 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added another 16, but it was still not enough on that day. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said his side lacked the mental toughness on Thursday night, yielding to pressure. According to him, they lost the game in defense.

This was the first meeting between the two sides this season. The last time they met was during the playoffs last season, when the Pistons won in seven games.