Rasheed Masters The Moment Pistons Spank Spurs 89-77

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Could it be? Could it be that Detroit Pistons big man Rasheed Wallace is finally growing up? Rather than imploding after receiving a technical foul with 6:09 remaining in the thirdquarter of his team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs as his been the case throughout his career, he channeled his aggression positively. Rasheed keyed up three times and hit treys in the fourth quarter, and scored 17 points from the last 3:00 minutes of the third through the end of the game. The Pistons shot 50% (37-74) from the floor, and 54.5% (6-11) from outside the arc, as they defeated the Spurs in San Antonio 89-77.

Neither team looked particularly sharp on offense in the first quarter but San Antonio would hold a 22-16 lead at the end of the period. Jason Maxiell slammed the ball through the cylinder with 7:09 left in the second, giving Detroit a 31-29 advantage. Richard Hamilton hit a mid-range jumper to put Detroit ahead 36-30 with 4:41 to play. Tim Duncan would tie the game hitting 2 at the line, and then drove the lane laying the ball up and in putting the Spurs on top 38-36 with 2:51 remaining. San Antonio would head into the locker room at the half leading 45-40.

The Spurs pulled ahead early in the third quarter, scoring the first 5 points of the period getting the lead to 50-40. Detroit responded with a 10-2 run cutting the Spurs advantage to 52-50 when Allen Iverson laid it up and in with 7:18 to play. San Antonio pulled away again, but Detroit got hot late in the quarter, and the Spurs lead down to 63-61 at the end of the third. With 8:03 left in the game Wallace hit a 24 foot trey, putting the Pistons up 68-66. Detroit never surrendered the lead the rest of the game.

Rasheed Wallace would have 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, Allen Iverson also dropped 19 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 2 rebounds. Richard Hamilton scored 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, Tayshaun Prince recorded a double-double, 15 points, 12 boards, 5 assists, 1 block. Rodney Stuckey came off the bench for 10 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals.

Tim Duncan recorded a double-double, a game high 23 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal. Tony Parker scored 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Manu Ginobili got the start and put in 13 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Detroit with the victory is 11-6, the Spurs are 9-8.

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