Billups Leads Pistons Past Suns In O/T 110-105

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Back on December 12, I wrote an article asking the musical question Are We Living In The ?Golden Age? Of Point Guards?? On March 24, 2008 I am more convinced than ever that we are, and Monday night’s contest between the Detroit Pistons, and the Phoenix Suns?featured two of the premiere point guards in the Association. Steve Nash has been a two time NBA MVP, and Chauncey Billups is the engine behind the Detroit Pistons machine. Billups ended up with the smile on his face after this contest ended as he led the Pistons with 32 points, as Detroit beat Phoenix in overtime 110-105. Billups scored 7 of Detroit’s 14 points in the extra period. ?This one was a knockout drag?down affair and a game where both teams left everything they had out on the court.? Phoenix big man Amare Stoudemire led all scorers with 33 points.

This game was nip and tuck all night long, Detroit had a razor thin lead at the end of the first quarter 26-25. The margin remained the same as the two teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half, as the Pistons were ahead 51-50.? The Suns led for most of the third quarter, but Detroit rookie Rodney Stuckey hit an outside shot with 11 seconds left in the quarter, and the Pistons went into the?fourth ahead 76-73. Detroit looked like they were about to run a way with the game early in the fourth, as they had a 85-77 lead after? Stuckey hit another? “J” with 7:50 left in the period. But Phoenix came rushing back tying the game at 87-87?with 5:33 remaining as Raja Bell hit a 23 foot trey. The Suns went ahead by as much as 3 points, but the game at the end of regulation was deadlocked at 96-96. Detroit basically dominated the overtime due to Billups offense.

Billups scored 32 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound, in the Detroit victory. Rasheed Wallace scored 23 points, 9 boards, 2 blocks, 2 assists, 1 steal, Rodney Stuckey came off the bench, and scored 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. Tayshaun Prince scored 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block.

Amare Stoudemire scored a game high 33 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Steve Nash scored 23 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, Grant Hill scored 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Shaquille O’ Neal recorded a double-double as the “Big Cactus” scored 12 points, 10 boards, 2 assists. Detroit reached their 50th victory as they now have a record of 50-20, the Suns are 47-23.

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