I could’ve chosen a really hip, catchy lead for this article, but I chose to let Andre Igoudala speak my mind instead:

“Those are the Detroit Pistons that we expect to see.”

Although my opinion of Game 2 being a must-win was heavily debated, my call was answered anyways.  The Stones put those pesky Sixers away with a 17-point statement win in front of a home crowd that sure as hell needed it.

The reason this was a must-win: Remember when the Cavs “stole a win” last year?  I know it’s not a carbon copy, but look how it ended, regardless.  We lost a game, no one panicked, then elimination.  After last night’s win, I’m almost glad the Pistons lost Game 1 instead of Game 2 or 3.  They had an opportunity to catch their mistakes early.  Had they lost later on the series, I wouldn’t be surprised if the lull and comfort of winning the first couple could leave them offguard, sending the Detroit Pistons into a self-esteem snowball headed downhill fast.

All in theory, of course.

I was getting a little deja vu when the Pistons went into the locker room with a double-digit lead at the half.  This time, however, the visitors weren’t coming back into this one.  Needless to say, it felt good.

Looks like the old Rip is finally back and healthy, because he sure filled up that stat line.  20 points, 7 boards, 7 dimes.

Sheed kicking things off once again, he had 11 points in the 1st quarter.

How about limiting Andre Igoudala to 4 points on 1-9 shooting?  Not to mention a rare 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for Andre Miller, who only had 3 & 3.

Dyess was all over the glass, getting offensive boards left and right, which always directly converted to points.  Igoudala! Quote!

“When they did miss, they beat us to the boards and got second-chance points”

Nicely worded.

Somehow, Reggie Evans continues to get it done for the 76ers, he had 13 points and 11 boards.  The inner analyst in me wants to say “Don’t expect much more of the same out of Evans,” but that’s what I thought after Game 1, deeming me completely useless in all aspects of Reggie Evans.

16 points for the Dyess-Sheed-Tay trifecta.

Philadelphia’s reserves outscored their starters 50-38.

All five starters shot 50% or better from the field, and that’s usually a good thing.

Did anyone catch that shot clock failure in the 1st quarter that stole a Pistons’ possession?  Good thing the Pistons didn’t lose by a couple points…

Pack it to Philly for Game 3; Friday at 7:00.

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