“Oh what a beautiful game”

Unfortunately, we didn’t last until Double OT, b/c these two dynamite dunkington’s weren’t going anywhere.

The Pistons trailed big early, watching LA swish several J’s. Nonetheless, we stormed back to tie it at 27 by the end of one.

Never underestimate how a bad quarter can fuck you. Detroit only scored 12 in the 2nd to trail 48-39 at halftime.

This matchup (of my two favorite teams) featured more love from $narf than any other, no doubt. BUT – I don’t like seeing either of my teams settling for jumpers, especially in open space. Watching the world’s best dunker, Blake Griffin, hoist mid-ranges is fine, unless he has room in front to attack the rim.

I do credit Stan Van in this one, though: LA led 13-2 early, & Van picked up a T to restore some swagger to Detroit. It worked.

Both these teams grinded-it-out, using their oldschool style for four quarters. Apparently, the basketball Gods found it just to play an additional five minutes of overtime.

First of all, it was an electric 2nd half to even put overtime in play. The Pistons were struggling in the 3rd, but reached the 4th trailing ten (when it could have gotten worse). And the tables totally turned.

Doc’s gang started to lay bricks, an unfortunate side effect to too many jump shots. When it ain’t falling, and you don’t attack, your lead may vanish. It’s hella harder to defend the rim than the 3-point line, despite what you’ve heard.

Detroit stormed back to tie it, then started to take a small lead. The Clippers set some hard screens on Reggie Jackson, so he decided to score 30+ and nearly record a triple-double. Your welcome, Grand Hill. Jackson & Co. got a little too excited up six with under three to go.

The Palace was thriving off the energy. I loved it. LA cut the lead in half on a 3, then snarfed Detroit hard by fouling Andre Drummond during a free throw attempt. It gave the Clippers one last shot, a corner three from J. J. Redick – Hello, Overtime.

He used a nice pump fake before draining the corner trey, but Detroit still had one more shot. Jackson wasted his time dribbling, hoisting a brick at the buzzer. Overtime.

The Clippers are older, wiser, and probably better, but the Pistons are just as strong (which is rare), maybe more athletic, and plenty capable themselves. Rivers must make up his mind and use his bench more, too. Stan Van can follow suit.

If Jackson was Detroit’s star, Griffin was LA’s. He shot 15/30 to put 34 on us in consecutive contests. No more settling for dunks – defend him or die. Griffin was instrumental in forcing OT with some strong moves to the hole.

In OT, it was a stalemate. We were headed for double overtime until Jamal Crawford hit a 3 to split open a tie game with 12 seconds remaining. On the final possession, Andre Drummond snagged an errant FT and just missed the tying-put back, and we still had two more tries, but they came up short.

I didn’t want either team to lose. Watching REAL basketball is so much more fun.

Thanks, Gs. And keep attacking the basket and playing defense: that’s what the Pistons & Clippers are all about.