http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... er-PistonsRichard Hamilton, Ben Gordon power Pistons
Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon gave doubters their first answer as to whether they could coexist. The answer was a resounding yes. Hamilton scored 25 and Gordon 22 as the Pistons defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 96-74, in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night. The victory made coach John Kuester a winner in his NBA head coaching debut. "We have to continually build on this but it's a good start to the season," Kuester said. "One game doesn't make a season but it's the right type of way to win." Wednesday's opener was a good base to build from. After a roller coaster exhibition season the Pistons looked robust offensively and downright stingy on defense, which where the team's chances for success this season largely rest. "We came out aggressive, helped each other at both ends of the floor and fed off each other's energy," said Hamilton, who twisted his right ankle in the fourth quarter. "We wanted to make a statement and we a did good job of that early in the game."
Hamilton said he came down on the ankle on someone's foot and couldn't push off it. Hamilton had X-rays after the game which revealed no break. He'll have the ankle re-examined today in Detroit. The Pistons held the Grizzlies to 36-percent shooting (26-of-72). Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 21 points, while Rudy Gay scored 16 and Zach Randolph (Michigan State) had 14 points. It was the Grizzlies, you might remember, who scored 115 points and shot over 50 percent two weeks ago in an exhibition game against the Pistons. "We did a good job holding them under 38 percent, the team was really focused," Kuester said. "Memphis came out strong at the start of the game but our guys kept taking the punches and were very resilient." The Grizzlies, though an interesting collection of young talent, never got going. Playing without Allen Iverson (hamstring), they struggled to put down shots. The Pistons, on the other hand, had no such problem.
Hamilton had 17 points in the first half (on 7-for-14 shooting) and Gordon 15 points (5-for-7). Each made all three of his 3-point attempts, as the Pistons sprinted to a 53-41 halftime lead.Gordon came off the bench firing, and obviously in a groove. That was apparent early when he sank an off-balance 3-point shot, was fouled, and made the free throw for a four-point play, giving the Pistons an 18-16 lead. "He (Gordon) got things going in the right direction," Kuester said. "Ben's a very special offensive player and he's done a great job of coming into the game and giving us instant offense." Because Gordon and Hamilton are similar offensive threats, catch-and-shoot guys who don't need to handle the ball, Gordon believes there isn't an issue as to whether the players can co-exist. "We don't need the ball in our hands to be effective," Gordon said.
