and 
game 2
Kickoff : 8:00pm Eastern Time
Throughout the past 2 post-seasons, the New Jersey Nets have swept – sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively – all before them as they’ve represented the Eastern Conference in the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals. But things aren’t so straightforward this time. In game 1 last Monday, the Nets got utterly disembowelled at the hands of Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton and Larry Brown. And due to the unique scheduling of this year’s playoffs, they didn’t get a chance to go out 2 or 3 days later and redeem themselves; New Jersey have been stewing about this loss all week.
The Nets, even when under the ‘direction’ of Byron Scott, play with enthusiasm and confidence, 2 things that successful teams always seem to have. Just how much game 1’s emphatic shellacking will damage New Jersey’s intangible strength remains to be seen? As they’ve shown in the past 2 playoffs, the Nets are good front-runners, continually driving in it against teams on the back foot and worried about defeat. But, as they’ve also shown in the past 2 Finals, the Nets do not have the capability to fight back when their opponents dictate the tone of play. And that’s what we saw on Monday.
Kenyon Martin, who averages more than 18 points and 8 rebounds over his playoff career, must have thought it was the Finals already, as he scored just 11 points and had more personal fouls that field goals. Richard Jefferson shot 1-12. Jason Kidd showed more signs that his game has indeed started its inexorable decline, with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists as he played 44 minutes directing an offense that shot just 27% from the field and scored an abysmal 56 total points.
The Nets were embarrased by their game 1 performance, but against a superior defensive team like these Pistons, games like this will happen once a series. That’s inevitable. But if New Jersey comes out tonight with a similar blatant disregard for the basics of offensive basketball teamwork and execution, they will see what it feels like to get unceremoniously bounced out of the NBA Playoffs, in May, for a change.
First team to 60 wins, stat.
That’s the thing about this iteration of the Pistons – they can score, too.
In the first round against the Bucks, they averaged 98.2 points.
If they want to win 99-88, they will. If they want to win 77-66, they can do that, too.
Ahem. We scored 96.8 ppg in the First Round. That’s why it’s called the first round – it’s history already.
Here we go.
Pistons in white tonight – but their image is all dark. Tough. Serious. Physical. Intense.
My forearms are as skinny as Tayshaun Prince’s.
That’s where the similarities end. ESPN’s Preview has Prince v Jefferson as the ‘meaningful Matchup’, but for me it’s Kidd v Billups.
There’s no way Billups can hang with a switched-on JK. If the Nets come out passive again on offense – maybe they thought they were being sensible and controlled, but it didn’t work out that way – they’ll lose.
Have I mentioned I love Sheed Wallace?
They got fire in the Palace.
Who’s got the worse head – Tom Tolbert or George Karl?
Tolbert or Mike Tirico?
How many times this week do you think Lawrence Frank has told his team that Tayshaun Prince is left-handed?
Lineups;
Prince
R Wallace
B Wallace
Billups
Hamilton
v
Jefferson
Martin
Collins
Kittles
Kidd
Pistons brick their first shot.
0-0.
Martin with the offensive foul, Nets start with a turnover.
Hamilton, with an ugly mask makes an open J.
Karl wants Jersey to be aggressive in the first 4 minutes here. I agree.
Martin blocked inside, complaining already, it’s 4-0.
Nice beard on my man Sheed.
Beautiful outside-in offense by the Pistons, Sheed at the rim.
Kittles scores, it’s 6-2 after 3 minutes.
Good D by RJ on Prince. Collins with the nice box-out. and left oppen for the bucket down the other end.
Nets defensive rebounding has started off well.
And an offensive foul on Jefferson – exceptional D.
"Those numbers are enough to make you vomit."
Kenyon with the big jam, it’s 6-6.
Sheed left open for the 3, Hamilton not boxed out on the offensive glass.
And Martin attacks the rim, it’s 9-8, Detroit up.
Blocking ^&$^%ing foul, you’re &^#%^ing joking!!!
Big call – the block on Jefferson. We’ve had 2 offensive fouls down one end, and that could have gone the other way.
2 on RJ already.
Nets are playing good D here, Detroit using up a lot of time on the clock on each posession.
Is Michelle Tafoya’s blouse deliberately unbuttoned?
Hamilton to the line. That facemask looks like he’s got huge mutton-chops. A good look.
11-8.
Jefferson stays out there.
Quick hands Ben Wallace. And Hamilton drains the J.
You can’t stop me posting up!
How cool is Ben Wallace’s hair?
Did Tolbert really say Ben Wallace’s quick hands are the reason he gets so many blocked shots – that’s amazing!
13-10. Jefferson hits at the line off the foul on Ben W.
Hamilton is hot. 15-10.
Jefferson answers – that’s his one FG for tonight.
Rasheed Wallace, damn he has looong arms.
Rodney Rogers, scoreless in game 1, hits on his first shot.
15-14.
bam – for 3!
Martin answers back – Nets playing with good spirit here.
Timeout, 18-16 Pistons.
KC 6
Red Sux 2
top 5th
White Sox 3
Blue J’s 0
bot 5th
Kittles blocks Hamilton, in his jock. Nets chosing to leave Ben W open outside the paint.
Reaching foul on Sheed. First in the last 2 minutes. No, they call it on Rip – that’s 2.
Kittles hits 1 of 2, Detroit up 1.
I suck.
Bad offense by Detroit here, Wallace left open, gets the ball and all his team-mates run away from him.
That equals double-dribble call.
Martin – that was blocked twice – but he double-clutches and makes the bucket. 19-18 Nets.
2.1 seconds left.
Ball from the side.
And a turnover – Detroit won’t be happy with that first quarter. They held the tempo for the majority of the first, but Martin, Jefferson and Kidd have been working hard and are rewarded on the scorebored.
What is Mahorn doing these days?
You talking about Rik? Pistons radio, yeah?
For 5 points, what’s Rick Mahorn’s middle name?
Oh, those were the days!
What’s David Stern got in that soda cup?
iced-tea? vokda and red-bull? Lemon juice, by the look of the lady next to him.
Huge offensive rebound by Ben W, but Campbell called for the offensive foul.
Nets hit to start the 2nd, 21-18.
Detroit try to trap, Martin big play. Lead by 5.
I’m the leader of this Bench.
Can Elden Campbell jump anymore?
23-20, Nets up.
Lindsey Hunter, can he? Fouled by Aaron Williams.
Don’t try fancy round-the-back dribbles against this Defense.
Kidd pushing the break – big jam by the A-Train.
Nets have been boxing out very well, but Okur sneaks inside to put it back in. 25-23.
I suck.
Timeout after the turnover, Hunter will be benched. For the rest of the game.
Brown gambled by starting the 2nd with no starters, Nets starting to exert themselves here. 25-23.
Martin has 10 points already.
Hamilton has 8 for Detroit.
Det – 1
NJN – 2
Rodney Rogers, for a fat guy, he can get up.
Tipped it in, and wow, now Rogers with the block. That’s embarrasing – was it Prince?
27-23 Nets.
Stockton to Malone? How about Kidd to Aaron Williams?
Detroit’s offense is terrible. Hunter’s still in there, Prince, oh, the ugly 3 attempt.
Jersey playing with the spring in their step, taking control. 31-23.
Anyone who thought we were dead?
We’re not.
we were.
NJN 31
Det 23
6:18 2nd
KC 6
Bos 2
End 6th
White Sox 3
Toronto 2
Bot 6th
Terrible play by Okur, tried to draw the foul, but should have worried about trying to score.
And Jefferson misses the lay-up off the break, but bailed out by a foul call.
Wouldn’t have called that if he made it.
Kidd with the steal.
And other bucket off the break. 34-23.
Just as well Harris missed that one – if he made it, Detroit in big trouble.
Billups good agressiveness off the hesitation drive. 3-point play opportunity, makes it.
That jumper didn’t even ripple the twine.
Billups with the spin, and banks it.
Carrying them, Detroit down 8.
Kidd misses another 3, Wallace brings it down. Oh yeah, Billups is hot, it’s a long 2.
Crowd into it now, that’s the way.
Why on earth you’d play me for 6 straight minutes and keep Chauncey on the bench is beyond me.
New Jersey 36
16 field goals
13 assists
3 steals, 3 blocks
4 turnovers.
Detroit 30
12 field goals
8 assists
2 steals, 1 block
7 turnovers.
Timeout New Jersey, 3:30 to go in the half.
Billups has scored 7 straight points. Keeping Detroit in this, Pistons not controlling thwe glass, and therefore not defending the break.
0-4 FGs
7 assists.
Martin with the alley-oop, converts the set play.
Foul on Ben Wallace, but it wasn’t a shoorting foul, unfortunately.
Kidd makes his first 3 of the game, 41-30.
I’m 0-4 as well.
Good block by Rasheed, but the Nets are fast breaking whenever they choose.
Lawrence Frank sitting next to Brian Hill on the bench, it’s hard to know who looks like the Assistant?
Poor shooting by Detroit, short-handing the jumpers.
Hamilton gets his own miss, 41-32.
Oh, technical foul on Sheed.
Let’s see it.
Wallace guarding Martin on the post-up, bit of contact, baseline official makes the travelling call, but the outside ref has the foul. Now Larry Brown gets a T.
There was a foul, but this is the playoffs. Martin initiated the contact with his left hand, hitting Sheed as he started his back-down.
Kidd hits.
Our heads are out of this game.
44-34, Collins to the line.
They didn’t even try and box him out. Missed them both.
hello!
This Collins guy is playing well here, tips it in off the Rogers miss.
Pistons angry as the first half ends
"I’ve learned that the team that loses first in the Playoffs has the advantage. They can come out and make the adjustements."
New Jersey are making the Pistons look ordinary here. First half ends, Nets in control.
46-34.
Martin 12 and 5.
Collins 4 and 6.
Kidd 8 assists, 6 rebounds.
Jefferson 9, 3 and 3.
Billups 12 and 6 assists.
Hamilton 10 and 3.
Sheed 5 points on 2-8.
Prince 0 points on 0-4.
From these playoffs so far, how many teams can legitimately win it?
Spurs, yes. Indiana, yes.
Lakers? Kings? TWolves? And here, Pistons and Nets? Doesn’t really look like it. Whichever team comes out of this series is going to have a hard time combating the Pacers in the Conference Finals.
Out West, the Lakers are being written off left-right-and-center. Game 3 is in LA on Sunday, it’s a must-win for them. Even if they do take it, the Spurs are not intimidated.
Apart from the Spurs and Pacers, it’s Sacto who are in the best form this Postseason. They don’t have home-court, but they have every other advantage over Minnesota.
Spurs or Kings vs Indiana, that’s what it looks like from here.
Sheed needs to do something in the 2nd half here.
He scored just 8 points in game 1.
Hey, 2 white/shite coached fired – Floyd and whoever Atlanta’s coach was.
Take?
Is Mike Fratello available?
Floyd, it’s hard to believe the Bugs hired him in the first place. Or, to take it back even firther, why they even forced out Paul Silas.
As far as the Hawks are concerned, they won’t be relevant for another few seasons. So it won’t matter who their nominal Head Coach is.
Ew, dog smell.
About to start.
Nets up 12.
Pistons don’t need to panic, but they do need to make shots.
Their jump-shooting, except from Hamilton and Billups, has been terrible.
Good call thus far Mattus, you want to call it early?
I’ll say Detroit by 5.
…terrrible, just terrrible…
Nets with the ball to start the 3rd.
Quick hands by Billups, 10 on the shot clock. And the Nets turn it over.
Detroit with their starters on the court, Hamilton drains the mid-range.
Oh, another good play by Jason Collins. Gets the miss, puts it in. Bad sign for the Pistons.
Billups drives with his stutter-step style; fouled by Kidd, not called. Not fouled by Kenyon, is called.
Makes both.
Good D by Sheed.
What’s the odds?
Nets post up Kidd again. Detroit not even trying to pressure the entry pass. Hits the turn-around.
Detroit swarming to shut-down the fast-break, forces the miss.
50-38.
Jumper!
Another 3 by Sheed goes in and out.
Pistons playing D again, another turnover. Lead’s down to 8.
Detroit being carried on offense by who?
Ben Wallace.
NJN 50
Det 42
7:50 3rd
KC 6
Bos 4
end 8
WhiteSox 4
Tor 4
top 9th
Martin draws the foul, it’s on Prince, it it? I thought it was on Sheed.
Nets 6-12 from the line. Pistons 6-7.
Collins called for the foul – non-shooting. Gets the miss.
Oh nice play. Billups and Ben W create the turnover, and Hamilton feeds Wallace for the layup.
The Pistons have come alive here – they’re flying down the court on D.
One team is shouting.
The other team isn’t saying a word.
Billups drians the J, 51-46.
Whoa – offensive foul called on Aaron Williams. Ben Wallce with the defensive play. He’s come alive on both ends here.
Sheed with the turnaround, 3 point game.
It’s loud in the Palace.
Hamilton drives and is fouled. He’ll make both.
Frank should have called time on the previous offensive posession.
51-50.
Nets 2-10 in this quarter.
Oh, Frank has picked up the T, he’s gotto be unhappy about how his team is playing.
All the calls going with Detroit, it must be said.
Hamilton to the line, it’s tied up.
Nice defensive rebound by Martin, they needed that.
4 mins to play. It’s 51-51, Jefferson to the line.
Kittles has done nothing.
2 points in the last 6 minutes.
Detroit really working the offensive boards.
Tippiing, tapping it, fighting. And when they lose it, they trap Aaron Williams and force the turnover.
52-51. Pistons hit the lead. 3:32 to go.
Jefferson met on the switch, and he tried to shoot a 3 over Bewn Wallace.
Yes, he missed.
Pistons swarming here – due to the play of Hamilton and Ben Wallace.
Larry Brown erred by starting the 2nd quarter with his bench – allowed the Nets to get on top.
Now, he’s made his first substitution of the 3rd quarter – this is going quickly.
Detroit up 1, with the ball.
Nets 1-9 3’s.
Det 2-8 3’s.
Nets 3 Blks.
Det 8 Blks.
Oh, and Wallace stays alive on offensive – the jumper.
Nets haven’t made a FG in the last 6:38.
no headband for Ben.
How old is the Nets coach? Six?
Martin has 3, picks up the offensive foul.
Williamson makes the flip, 57-52. 2 minutes to go.
Hard foul, Aaron Williams to the line.
Here I am again!
Kenyon comes back and draws an Offensive Foul on Scoreless.
Jefferson to the line.
It’s 57-53.
Nets have scored 7 points this quarter. make it 8. 9.
1:39 to go.
The Nets have a touchdown in the third quarter. Impressive?
Nice attempt by Tirico to pretend this is exciting basketball. Is it close? Sure it is. is there good defense? Of course. Is there lousy offense? Oh, you know it.
Williamson passes up the open J for the spinning floater.
59-55.
We have a jump-ball.
Wallace takes a break. Wallce in.
9 minutes without a Field Goal.
I don’t think it’s unusual that Ben Wallace’s wife decides how he’ll wear his hair.
Not at all (raises hand to head and then extends up.)
I like the Pistons!
But they have ample turnovers.
Billups to the line.
Detroit have the swagger. What has gone wrong here for New Jersey? It’s turnovers.
61-55, 25 seconds to go.
almost over and back.
Jefferson makes it in the paint, whew – and even then, lucky that wasn’t offensive basket interference.
Doug, the missus knows I wear the balls.
yeah, but she keeps them in her purse.
Det 61
23-58 FGs, .397
13-14 FTs, .929
Turnovers 13
NJN 57
23-56 FGs, .411
10-18 FTs, .556
Turnovers 11
This one will go down to the wire.
Even if you’re down 5 with under a minute left, you can still make the buckets.
Why are Karl and Tolbert dressed like twins?
Detroit with the ball – turnover.
"Larry Brown’s teams are known for their runs"
"Or did I mean, ‘the runs’, perhaps?"
Play 2 this quarter, turnover,
Play 3, foul.
Kenyon on the bench to start the 4th.
Hey – we missed one!
Toronto beat the White Socks.
Tied at 6, Boston v KC.
Rodney Rogers coming alive – makes the 3 and then the 2.
Hamilton drives to the rim, no big bodies inside for the Nets.
Harris terrible shot.
66-62, Pistons up.
Whoo – what a come back effort!
Yes, you called?
9:26 to go, down 6Frank calls timeout.
Remember, both coaches have a Technical. As does Sheed.
The Sox are winless since I got shot in front of Wrigley.
_Foul Situation_
J Collins 4
K Martin 3
A Williams 3
R Jefferson
J Kidd 0
C Billups 3
L Hunter 3
Rip, Corliss, Prince, Ben W, 2 each.
All starters out there, except Rogers for Collins.
Rogers misses twice, Pistons hit.
This crowd is nuts. Frank leets them play.
Martin makes the play – do they ever make 3-second calls anymore?
I’m hot baby – this is as good as over!
Sheed made a 3, Billups made a 3.
Rodney Rogers keeps them close down the other end, but the Pistons, they have this game.
76-66.
Sheed again for 3, boom baby!
And Jefferson travels, this Nets team is defeated.
79-66, 6 mins to play.
Hamilton now hits, the long J.
Have I ever coached in the Playoffs before?
Ah, I thought not.
It’s a 20-second. Nets don’t have much left. They’re on the back foot ever since they lost the lead at the start of the 3rd.
It’s about D. It always was. You play D for 48 minutes, you win.
They change it to an Official Timeout.
Does Rik Mahorn even fit into any single-brestes suits?
For pity’s sake Mattus, call time of death on this and let’s get out of here..
Nets turn it over in the backcourt. Prince still hasn’t scored, but it doesn’t matter.
81-69.
brestes?
Hope you pussies are clicking?
81-71, 4 and a half to go.
Oh, it’s dead.
Am I here yet?
New Jersey scored 27 points in the 2nd quarter.
They have 25 since.
My numbers look good (5-8, 11 points in 13 minutes) but I didn’t play well tonight.
Wow – Rasheed’s "communication on defense" is what’s made this Pistons team elite?
Really?
Does he go – back cut, shyte guys, I called it; whatcha doing?
81-73, under 4 minutes.
Kenyon’s picked up his 5th. Rebounding, that’s the key to Detroit’s game. Everything starts at the backboard.
When they went on their run in the 3rd, that’s why.
dammit – another turnover.
3 turns, 4-12 from the floor, now.
23 points, misses from the line.
Lead is 9.
Collins is back out there, tips it in off the Kenyon miss.
Offensive rebounding by Detroit, have I mentioned that?
2 mins to go, 84-75.
forgot all about it.
Nets have more turnovers than assists.
Billups hits for 3, Tirico calls it over.
We knew that 6 minutes ago.
Chauncey has 26, and 12 assists. Kidd has 8, 10 assists, 4 turnovers.
Rodney Rogers has played well, but the Nets need more off their bench. Kidd has no-one who can rest him. Lucious Harris has been terrible tonight.
Only 4% of teams down 2-0 have come back to win. You watching this, Phil Jackson?
I’ve done it.
For the record, it’s 87-77.
Prince to the line, he scores tonight. Has a funny, side-ball release. Makes them both.
Martin’s fouled out. He started strong, but he spent too much time either on the bench of on his heels during the 3rd quarter.
Focus on the all-chick section.
Then the all-minority section.
Here I am!
Jefferson 1-12 in game 1, now has 4-12. That’s better.
They’ve retired Chuck Daly’s number – 2. For 2 rings?
The Nets have scored 80, we all know how much they hate being held to less than 80 points by this team.
95-80 Detroit win.
And they were down 12 at Halftime.
_Detroit Pistons 95_
Billups 28 points, 9-16 FGs, 3-4 3s, 7-7 FTs, 13 assists, 2 turnovers.
Hamilton 28 points, 9-17 FGs, 10-11 FTs, 5 assists, 4 steals.
Sheed 15 points, 6-14 FGs, 3-6 3s, 3 blocks.
Ben Wallace 8 points, 4-9 FGs, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals.
_New Jersey Nets 80_
Jefferson 19 points, 5-13 FGs, 9-11 FTs, 6 rebounds, 4 turnovers.
Martin 19 points, 8-15 FGs, 8 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls.
Collins 8 points, 4-5 FGs, 10 rebounds, 6 offensive.
Kidd 8 points, 3-13 FGs, 1-5 3s, 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers.
Gutsy win by the Pistons, the better team, and they proved it.
This Nets squad is tight and they’re talented, but they can’t compete for 48 minutes with a team this deep on both ends.
Just 2 weeks ago, New Jersey were doing this to New York – flexing their muscle, out-executing them and dictating play. Jason Kidd just isn’t playing at 100% – the whispers about his knee injury will continue after this.
Jefferson and Martin, they’re trying hard. Kittles has been invisible – and their bench has nothing but a couple of pop-guns on it.
Detroit certainly looked like the superior team when their starters were on the court. Larry Brown knows how to win playoff games, and it showed here in the pivotal 3rd quarter. The Nets go home where they’ll get more calls, and when they run they make even this defense look ineffective, but they have a lot of work to do to out-play this versatile and physical Detroit team for 48 minutes.
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