Detroit Pistons edge past the
Philadelphia 76ers 112-109
Tired of three straight losses, the Pistons had to come up with something outstanding. Having an edgy start to the game, both teams ended up with equal box scores as the buzzer rang. The game had to be prolonged into an overtime that ran for four minutes
and forty seconds.
Game tying shot
It was Austin Daye’s three pointer that tied the game at 99-all, with just 3.4 seconds left in the buzzer. The reverse forward received an assist from Tracy McGrady to clinch the edgy shot.
Overtime
Daye clinched the very first five points of overtime to carry the score in favour of the Pistons. (Sixers) Elton Brand committed a shooting foul and Greg Monroe trounced both the free throws provided. In doing so he edged past the Sixers, 106-99. As if one
was not enough, Brand committed another personal foul that allowed another free throw from Monroe. (Sixers) Louis Williams made the first two points of overtime to fill in the gap but the Pistons had gathered enough to drown the Sixers in a 112-109 loss.
Field goals
Detroit shot 53.3 per cent in three pointer attempts and held the losing team to just 35.7. Sixers held the winners to 48-45 per cent in field goal attempts. The Sixers shot 69.6 per cent in free throw attempts and held the Pistons to 64.7 in the same.
Game stats
Detroit out rebounded the Sixers 53-45 in a surge, 15-8 in offensive rebounds. The Philadelphia 76ers gave away 13 bad passes whereas the Pistons gave away just 11. Sixers in a rather convincing game took 14 fast break points and took the biggest lead by
nine, whereas the Pistons were shortened to 12 fast break points and they took an eight point lead over them.
Quote it!
Detroit Pistons coach John Kuester was glad to see his team break their three game losing streak.
He expressed, "It's about time we got a little luck. The basketball gods were with us."
Players’ stats
Detroit Pistons (12-24)
Tayshaun Prince clinched 23 points and Rodney Stuckey added 20. Monroe scored in double figures as he contributed 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds from off the bench.
Philadelphia 76ers (15-22)
Evan Turner scored 19 from off the bench while Brand scored in double figures. The player scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Jrue Holiday scorched a commendable game for the Sixers as well. The 20-year-old point guard clinched 15 points and dished
out 12 assists for his fellow players.
The Pistons had set it up very well and luckily they had the two key players up for them. Daye and centre Monroe paired up to score 31 points from off the bench. Daye offered 15, added six rebounds and toppled it with three assists. Monroe came along with
his second double-double in a row. The 2010 Round 1 pick posted 16 points, fled with 13 rebounds and blocked three steals for the opponents’ team.
Turning point
Lady luck turned her back on the Sixers. It so happened that not even a player with 82.2 per cent free throw shooting could help them edge a victory. Had he tried, Williams, the Sixers guard could have trounced the free throws to give his team a two point
lead with just 6.2 seconds left in the game. What happened was exactly the opposite of that.
Williams was a little disappointed after missing the free throws but the Sixers coach was encouraging enough to the player. He later said, “I told him those free throws did not lose the game. I've got his back in everything he does. He's one of my best players.”
That was perhaps very encouraging.
Hottest player
Stuckey was awesome. The 24-year-old guard fronted a tremendous game for the winning team. The player scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, gave four assists and blocked two goals by taking two steals. The guard has been suffering from stomach virus
lately but he put up a strong front for his team.
Weakest player
One of the weakest players was Andres Nocioni. The 31-year-old could only score five points in 39 minutes. The player showed a decrepit defence and could not stand solid in front of Pistons’ guard Prince. Prince reckoned his regular points while breezing
past him. The player could have easily defended the shots that he let go off.
Coming up next
For the Sixers, Tuesday vs. Indiana, Friday vs. Milwaukee, Monday vs. Charlotte.
For the Pistons, Monday at Chicago, Wednesday vs. Memphis, Friday at Toronto.
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