http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... _lead.htmlIt was only fitting that the final play in the Detroit Pistons' 107-102 loss to Chicago on Tuesday was a pass that was thrown away. That pass, much like the game's outcome, should have been an easy one to make. But that pass, like beating struggling teams, apparently was too difficult for Detroit as Tuesday's game became the latest addition to the growing list of games the Pistons have given away this season."I can't explain that one," said Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince. "I can't explain that one if I tried."
The Pistons led by 14 points at the start of the fourth quarter and were up by 15 after a Jason Maxiell jump shot with 7:30 to play. From there, the Pistons' offense sputtered and the defense looked defenseless as the Bulls continued to attack the offensive boards which not only led to second-chance points, but also a slew of free-throw attempts. "We gave them too many offensive rebounds," Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "When we did get them to miss, they were getting rebounds." Ben Gordon converted a four-point play with 16.7 seconds to play that gave the Bulls their first lead of the fourth quarter. On Gordon's go-ahead basket, Rasheed Wallace had blocked a shot by Derrick Rose, only for Rose to grab the loose ball and pass to Gordon, who was fouled in front of the Pistons by Arron Afflalo. Trailing 105-102 after Gordon's four-point play, Detroit called a timeout. Whatever play they were looking to run out of the timeout, it never came to fruition as Richard Hamilton turned the ball over with 10.6 seconds left. Andres Nocioni made a pair of free throws with 9.9 seconds to play to seal the victory. "To be up 15 and give the game away pretty much, it's hard because we played so well for three quarters," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said. The Pistons outplayed Chicago most of the game, even without the services of Allen Iverson. Curry announced shortly before Tuesday's game that Iverson would not play due to flu-like symptoms."Arnie (Kander, Detroit's strength and conditioning coach) gave him some medicine, and he didn't feel any better," Curry said. "So Arnie just ruled him out tonight."
Curry initially said Hamilton would start, but apparently had a change of heart shortly before tipoff and instead went with Arron Afflalo. The move worked out well for both players for most of the game. Afflalo, who has struggled recently with his shooting touch, did a solid job defensively along with scoring four points on 2-for-3 shooting. Hamilton turned in yet another strong performance in leading all scorers with 30 points. The game's disappointing ending was in stark contrast to how it started. Rodney Stuckey, who scored a career-high 40 points earlier this season against Chicago, went on the attack from the opening tipoff as Detroit opened with an 11-4 run that included seven points from Stuckey. But a slew of Detroit turnovers and foul trouble saw Detroit's lead wiped out. Detroit finished with 16 turnovers, with a number of them being careless, unforced mistakes. In the first quarter, Antonio McDyess threw the ball out of bounds on a basic inbounds play. Stuckey double-dribbled while bringing the ball up court with no pressure being applied by Chicago.The Pistons trailed 30-22 after the first quarter, with the Bulls scoring 10 points off Detroit's six first-quarter turnovers. Detroit cut down on the mistakes in the second quarter and soon chipped away at the Chicago's lead, which peaked at eight points. But a 10-4 run by the Pistons to close out the second quarter gave them a 51-50 halftime lead.
