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Sickness strikes: The flu bug has struck.
Iverson missed Tuesday's game. Arron Afflalo started in his place and scored four points in 16 minutes. Reserve point guard Will Bynum was at shoot-around, but there wasn't much pep in his step.
Both players, as well as director of player development Ryan Hoover , were being treated.
Hamilton hot off the bench for Pistons: Guard's points average has swelled in three previous games since exiting starting lineup. Rasheed Wallace walked past Richard Hamilton after shoot-around Tuesday and shouted, "Eighth wonder."
When Curry announced Hamilton would come off the bench, there were questions about whether it would work. Wrong.
Sure, Hamilton doesn't like coming off the bench, but he has attacked the role with a vengeance. In his last three games -- including his 30-point performance in Tuesday's 107-102 loss to the Chicago Bulls -- he scored 95 (37-for-65 shooting). In the six games before that, he averaged 16 points. "I think what's happening, more than anything, is that he's getting healthy," Curry said.
Defense buckles: The Pistons gave up 121 points to the Bucks and 107 to the Suns in back-to-back games. It was the fourth time in eight games the Pistons gave up more than 100. "It's just effort," Curry said.
Curry said the team continues to play adequate initial defense. The lapses have come either on the boards or in their transition defense. They gave up 31 fast-break points and 22 second-chance points to the Suns. "We are No. 1 in the league in fast-break points against," Curry said. "We just had a game where we gave up 31, and that might happen in this league at times."
The Pistons' floor balance breaks down when Allen Iverson initiates the offense from the point-guard position. He often drives into the lane and continue with the ball along the baseline. Often when a shot is missed, he's stuck under the basket when he is supposed to be the first guy back on defense. "That's just how he plays," Curry said. "That's why we've had Rodney Stuckey at the point or we've had Tayshaun Prince initiate the offense into Allen so we can keep the floor balanced."
Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed Tuesday's game against the Chicago Bulls because of flulike symptoms.
Pistons coach Michael Curry said before the game that Richard Hamilton would replace Iverson in the starting lineup, but went with Arron Afflalo instead. The Pistons hoped to have him available for the game after he missed the morning shootaround, but the 10-time All-Star wound up staying back at the hotel. He is questionable for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Iverson would be re-evaluated Wednesday. Hamilton was switched to a reserve role last month after returning from a groin injury that he said still bothers him.
Final Score: Chicago 107, Detroit 102
Ben Gordon's four-point play with 16.7 seconds left in regulation proved to be the game-winning bucket, as the Chicago Bulls erased a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to sneak by the Detroit Pistons, 107-102. Gordon finished with 24 points, while Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas fueled the comeback effort, finishing with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Thomas also pulled down 10 rebounds, and Joakim Noah chipped in 12 points and a game-high 16 boards for the Bulls, who were coming off a moderately successful 4-3 road trip.
hope we can take some more," said Rose. "We need a streak right now, especially these games at home and we needed this before the All-Star break." Detroit, which was playing without All-Star guard Allen Iverson (flu), did not hit a field goal in the final 3 1/2 minutes in dropping its second straight game. Richard Hamilton dropped 30 points and Rasheed Wallace ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. "I thought we played well the first three quarters, probably the best we've played in a long time," said Hamilton. "To be up 15 and give the game away pretty much, it's hard because we played so well." Down 15 midway through the fourth, Noah recorded a three-point play and Thomas notched four straight points to make it a 94-86 game with six minutes left. Several minutes later, Thomas' double-clutch make from 10-feet out cut the deficit to six, and Gordon made two at the free throw line for a 100-96 affair with 2 1/2 minutes left. Rose added a free throw and a pair of buckets around two makes at the stripe from Wallace, as the score read 102-101 in favor of Detroit with 46.1 seconds remaining. A poor shot selection by Wallace from deep in the corner with plenty of time left on the shot clock gave the Bulls a chance to take the lead.
Rose was blocked in the lane by Wallace but regained possession and swung it out to Gordon in the corner. Gordon nailed the trifecta while being fouled by Rodney Stuckey, and the Bulls suddenly led 105-102 with 16.7 seconds showing on the clock after his free throw. Hamilton had nice opportunity to cut into Detroit's deficit but decided against a contested layup. His pass to Antonio McDyess on the right block caught the forward by surprise and the ball caromed out of bounds. Andres Nocioni's two free throws capped the impressive come-from-behind win. The Bulls led 30-22 after the first thanks to a 9-2 run that ended the frame. The Pistons responded in the second with a 9-2 spurt of their own midway through and held a slim 51-50 edge at the break.Chicago stared at an 85-71 deficit heading to the fourth after being outscored 10-3 to end the third.
At halftime, the Bulls honored Johnny "Red" Kerr, the club's first head coach and longtime color commentator ...Chicago had dropped its previous three home tests...Detroit has lost five straight games at the United Center...Nocioni finished with 14 points for Chicago, while Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince chipped in 16 points apiece for the Pistons...Hamilton handed out a game-high eight assists.
Rip plans to rest, heal over break
When asked about his All-Star break plans Tuesday, Pistons shooting guard Rip Hamilton was to the point. "Rest. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less," he said at the morning shoot-around before the game against the Bulls. Nothing against the All-Star weekend with its parties and of course Sunday's game, but when folks leave Thursday for Phoenix, Hamilton will be curled up somewhere to rest his 30-year-old body and sore left groin.
Even though he has played in the past three All-Star Games, he's glad his services weren't called for this weekend. "That's kind of crazy," said Hamilton. "But with all the games we've been playing the last couple of years and going to the All-Star Game and things like that, it's a great time to rest."
Hamilton didn't say it, but it has been a tough first half for him. With the trade of longtime backcourt partner Chauncey Billups, missing eight games with a slight groin tear and taking on the role as the sixth man after starting for most of his 10-year career, you can't blame Hamilton for wanting a little R & R. "It's kind of a good thing. ... I really didn't make it this year with my groin and everything like that," said Hamilton, who has averaged almost 19 points in the nine games he has come off the bench.
Tonight: Hawks
Matchup: Pistons 27-23; Atlanta 30-21.
Tip-off: 7:30, Palace.
TV/radio: FSD; WDFN-AM (1130).
Line: Pistons by 3.
Injuries: Pistons -- none; Hawks -- G Mike Bibby (sprained foot) questionable.
Overview: If the season ended Monday, this would be a first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference between the No. 4 Hawks and No. 5 Pistons. Atlanta is led by Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. The Hawks topped the Pistons, 85-78, on Dec. 21.
BUGGED: Iverson missed Tuesday's shoot-around and Tuesday night's game. Arron Afflalo started in Iverson's place. Pistons coach Michael Curry said a bug is going around the team, but Iverson was the only one to miss the shoot-around.
GOOD 'SHEED: While trade rumors swirl that he may be headed elsewhere by the Feb. 19 trade deadline, Rasheed Wallace's play has surged the past seven games. The forward/center is averaging 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over the stretch. Wallace has shot 20-for-44 from three-point land (45%) during the run. He admitted his 34-year-old legs were very tired before Sunday's home game against the Suns after the team had won a tough overtime game the previous night at Milwaukee. But he responded with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
Curry thinks his surge might have something to do with the increased playing time of backup power forward Antonio McDyess, who provides another veteran presence up front. "The last few games 'Sheed has really been focused," Curry said. "I think the longer Dice is on the court with him, the better he plays. We got to continue to get good rebounding out them."
But he added that he is still looking for more consistency from the other big men -- Amir Johnson, Kwame Brown and Jason Maxiell. "We got to have three frontcourt guys playing well every night," Curry said. "We got to do a little better job of getting the ball to frontcourt guys so they can have an offensive impact as well."
Ben Gordon dropped 24 points, his partner in the back court Derrick Rose had 23, and big man Tyrus Thomas added 22 more, as the Chicago Bulls exploded in the fourth quarter, and got past the Detroit Pistons Tuesday night 107-102. The Bulls were down by 10 points, with less than 3:00 to go in the game, but came back in front of a boisterous United Center crowd to get the victory. Detroit was without guard Allen Iverson who was suffering from the flu that has been traveling throughout the Association. The Pistons were led by Richard Hamilton as he came off the bench with a game high 30 points. The Bulls had a strong first quarter taking a 30-22 lead at the end of the period. Chicago maintained the lead through most of the second, but with 1:53 to play Richard Hamilton put the ball in the basket from 6 feet away, putting the Pistons on top 47-46. Detroit would have a razor thin advantage as the contest reached the half with the score 51-50.
The Pistons looked like they were just about to put this contest in the victory column in the third, as they dominated from the beginning of the period. Detroit would head into the fourth with a very healthy 85-71 lead. The Bulls were able to pull some what closer in the opening moments of the final period, but they were still trailing by 10 points with 3:26 to play when Tayshaun Prince knocked down a mid-range jumper to make it a 100-90 game. But instead of falling apart the opposite happened for Chicago as they whittled away at the lead. With just 16 seconds left in regulation Gordon connected on a 24 foot trey, was fouled on the play, hit his shot at the line and put his team ahead to stay at 104-102. Ben Gordon had 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, while Derrick Rose contributed 23 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds. Tyrus Thomas recorded a double-double 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, Andres Nocioni came off the bench with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Joakim Noah also had a double-double 12 points, 16 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Richard Hamilton scored 30 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 rebound, while Rasheed Wallace recorded a double-double 20 points, 10 boards, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Tayshaun Prince had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, Rodney Stuckey added 16 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Chicago is now 23-29, Detroit is only 4 games over .500 at 27-23.
Ben Gordon converted the go-ahead four-point play, Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas made strong contributions late, and the Chicago Bulls rallied to beat the Detroit Pistons 107-102 on Tuesday night. Playing their first home game since Jan. 23, the Bulls trailed 100-90 with about 3½ minutes. But with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen watching, they showed some of their old mettle and finished on a 17-2 run. The Pistons were without the Allen Iverson, who had the flu. Even so, they appeared to be in good shape. Then, the Bulls scored nine straight to make it a one-point game before Rasheed Wallace buried two free throws with a minute left, making it 102-99. But Chicago scored the final eight points.
Rose drove for a layup to pull the Bulls back within one with 46 seconds left. After Wallace had to force a wild corner jumper to beat the shot clock, the Bulls grabbed the lead. The Pistons blocked a drive by Rose, but Gordon wound up with the ball in the corner and buried the go-ahead 3-pointer as Rodney Stuckey fouled him. Both players got knocked to the court. While Gordon popped up and buried the free throw to make it 105-102 with 16.7 seconds left, Stuckey left the game. The Pistons' Richard Hamilton then drove along the right side and tried to dish off to Antonio McDyess underneath, but he couldn't handle the pass, resulting in a turnover. Andres Nocioni then hit two free throws for Chicago with 9.9 seconds left for the final score, and Joakim Noah then stole Arron Afflalo's pass. Rose, who finished with 23 points, scored nine in the final 4 minutes and started that 9-0 run with two free throws.
Thomas, who finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, added a put-back basket and blocked a layup by Stuckey during that spurt. And Nocioni added 14 points for the Bulls, who pulled out the dramatic win after a 4-3 trip. The loss was the 12th in 18 games for the Pistons, who got 30 points from Hamilton and 20 from Wallace. Switched to a reserve role last month after returning from a groin injury, Hamilton said he still feels some pain. It's tough to tell, given how he's played lately. He set a team record for a reserve by scoring 38 points against Milwaukee on Saturday and followed that with 27 against Phoenix on Sunday. Against the Bulls, he had 17 in the first half, carrying the Pistons to a 51-50 lead.
What started as a routine day of practice for Tony Allen evolved as yet another setback for the oft-injured Celtics guard.
Allen injured the thumb on his left (non-shooting) hand yesterday morning, and as a result did not accompany the team to New Orleans for tonight’s game against the Hornets. He also won’t play tomorrow night in Dallas. Though X-rays of the thumb reportedly were negative, a team source said the guard actually suffered torn ligaments in the thumb and could miss a longer period of time. “I don’t have confirmation of that,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “I saw Tony, I saw that his thumb was hurt, but I don’t know exactly what happened.”
Allen will keep the thumb wrapped until next Tuesday. At that point, he will be evaluated before he is allowed to join the team in Utah.
That is why any deal for Stoudemire would involve an expiring contract. That is why names such as Shawn Marion, a one-time Sun, or Chicago's Drew Gooden are being bandied about.
Detroit's Rasheed Wallace also is being linked in a pot
Knicks center Eddy Curry broke his silence yesterday and predicted he will return to practice after the All-Star break on Monday in a long-shot bid to resume his tragic season.
Detroit's Rasheed Wallace also is being linked in a potential package for Stoudemire because Sheed's contract expires on July 1.
Actually, the only thing the Nets are saying (officially) is that their starting power forward -- still recovering from a broken finger suffered on Jan. 9 -- will work out during the All-Star break and fly with the team Monday morning to Houston.
Foster and swingman Mike Dunleavy sat out Tuesday's game against Cleveland and won't play tonight against Milwaukee because of nagging injuries.
Dunleavy played only three minutes in Sunday's loss at Washington because of pain in the same right knee that caused him to miss the first 34 games of the season. Foster has been nursing a bad back.
"Structurally (Dunleavy's) fine, it was just more of a pain threshold from the standpoint of playing extended minutes against Orlando (last Friday)," coach Jim O'Brien said. "So when he comes back after the All-Star break, we'll re-evaluate his minutes."
Allen injured the thumb on his left (non-shooting) hand yesterday morning, and as a result did not accompany the team to New Orleans for tonight’s game against the Hornets. He also won’t play tomorrow night in Dallas.
Though X-rays of the thumb reportedly were negative, a team source said the guard actually suffered torn ligaments in the thumb and could miss a longer period of time.
Allen will keep the thumb wrapped until next Tuesday. At that point, he will be evaluated before he is allowed to join the team in Utah.
Ben Gordon's four-point play with 16.7 left in the fourth quarter was the winning hoop for the Bulls on Tuesday. It was the third time this season that Gordon converted a four-point play. Jamal Crawford (five) is the only player in the NBA with more four-point plays than Gordon this season. It was also the latest four-point play to give a team a lead since Andrea Bargnani hit one with nine seconds left on March 11, 2007.