Despite Turnovers, Pistons Edge Warriors 107-102

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

The Thursday game between the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors, if was based on skill much like on American Idol, then Simon Cowell would have ripped both teams – and rightfully so. 33 turnovers and other miscues later, Detroit managed to escape out of Oracle Arena with a 107-102 win over Golden State.

The first half was sloppily played by both squads, with the Pistons committing 11 turnovers; that would lead to some easy baskets by the Warriors, capped by Stephen Jackson’s jumper in the final seconds of the first half, giving Golden State a 53-46 lead. The Warriors would build a 12-point cushion early in the third quarter as they would get to the free-throw line with regularity. The Pistons would commit the first five fouls of the period with Golden State’s Corey Maggette going to the charity stripe 10 times all by himself in the first 5:03.

The Pistons would recover as Allen Iverson and Arron Affalo would spark a 17-2 run that would give Detroit a 75-71 lead; the Warriors would not make a field goal for the final 5:41 of the third period. As a result, Golden State would fall behind 80-73 going into the final frame. The Warriors would take the lead in an unusual manner when the Pistons’ Rasheed Wallace inadvertantly tipped in a basket in the wrong basket; that gave Golden State an 87-86 lead. They would briefly extend that lead to four.

With a 2-point deficit, Wallace would drain a 3-pointer to give the Pistons the lead for good; he would further add to the victory margin as he would hit another long-range jumper to make it 96-92 with just over 3 minutes to go in the game; the Pistons would hold on for the win. Detroit’s high scorer was Richard Hamilton with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals while Iverson added 23 with 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals; Wallace pitched in, scoring 19 (including 3 treys) with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 3 blocks while Tayshaun Prince recorded a double-double as he added 10 with 16 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

Golden State was led by Andris Biedrins and C.J. Watson with 17 points each – with Biedrins grabbing 19 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot while Watson grabbed 6 boards, dished out an assist along with 2 steals. Jackson and Kelenna Azubuike scored 15 apiece – with Jackson grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 9 assists while Azubuike grabbed 5 boards, dished out 2 assists with a steal. Detroit (6-2) plays again on Friday when they make the short trip to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers while Golden State (3-6) coincidentally flies to Los Angeles as well, but to take on the Clippers on Saturday.

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