Detroit used a balanced effort from its starters and a key stretch from the end of the 3rd quarter and start of the 4th from Rodney Stuckey to take Game 2, 103-97, and steal home court from the Boston Celtics. Rip Hamilton lead the way with 25 points but it was Stuckey, who scored 10 of his 13 points in a 5 minute stretch between the 3rd and 4th quarters, that was the big difference in handing the Celtics their first home playoff loss and now forces the Celtics to have to win at least one game on the road. All 5 Detroit starters and Stuckey scored 99 of the 103 Detroit points. Ray Allen finally broke out of his shooting slump that has plagued him most of the playoffs in route to 25 points on 9-16 shooting and 2-5 from three point land. Kevin Garnett added 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul Pierce lead the way with 26 points. However, 75 points from the "Big 3" was not enough to off set the balanced Piston attack as this series shifts to Detroit, where the Pistons have won 5 straight at home and Boston has yet to win on the road in these playoffs.
Game 3 is Saturday in Detroit on ESPN at 8:30pm.
Detroit 103, Boston 97
Best Lines:
- Detroit's Starters: 86 of 103 pts, 29 of 31 rebs, 16 of 21 asts, 6 of 9 stls, & 192 minutes
- Boston's Starters: 89 of 97 pts, 34 of 39 rebs, 17 of 19 asts, all 5 stls, & 185 minutes
Rumors/News
- Not only is Pat Riley saying he would consider trading the number 2 pick, but he also has his sights set on a major free agent signing in 2010. HoopsWorld
- Mark Cuban on The Dan Patrick Show while talking about Josh Howard's pot smoking revelation: "I've inhaled, and when I inhaled, I coughed a couple lungs out. So I was never a big fan of smoking. But if I've tried it, I can't look at somebody and say, 'How can you try it?'" Dallas Morning News
- Sources close to the dealings of the Bulls say that the Bulls have laid out plans to take Michael Beasley with the number 1 pick. Of course, the Bulls deny such reports. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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