Pistons @ Magic Open Thread

An early 6-2 Magic lead in game 3.

Uh oh, Billups shaken up. Nelson to the bucket and one! Orlando off to a great start in front of their home fans.

Nelson makes it 9-2, another turnover by Detroit...3 on 1 break, Nelson from the corner for three!!!!! 12-2, all Orlando.

Am I the only person in the world that thinks there's no such thing as a boring game (in Football, Baseball, Basketball, etc)???

Turkoglu misses, but Howard tips it in! A 12-0 run for Orlando, and Rip Hamilton cannot connect. Another slow start on the road for the Pistons.

HOWARD REJECTS STUCKEY!!! Nelson ahead to Lewis!!!! A 16-2 lead!!! TIMEOUT DETROIT!!!!!!!!!

Billups to the LR...he is limping. TNT showing the replay, and that is an awkward landing...looks like a hamstring injury or groin injury.

Pistons get 1 free throw thanks to a defensive 3 second call.

Turkoglu to the basket! It's 18-3 Orlando!

Detroit 1-10 shooting.

Stuckey misses the open shot, Stuckey gets it again after some neat passing and misses. HOWARD OPEN ON THE ALLEY OOP!!! It's 20-3!!!

Rasheed hits a huge three, much needed.

Orlando to the free throw line after Detroit's foul put them over the limit, and Nelson hits both and the lead is back up to 16.

Rasheed misses badly, Turkoglu to the basket and he is fouled!!!

That is the first foul on Tayshaun Prince.

22-6 with 3:17 left in the 1st.

What up! Chauncey Billups is hurt, this could mean the series as the Pistons look inept on offense!

Wow....Detroit can't hit anything, Maxiell misses the jumper, and the Pistons are 2-15 in the quarter. Orlando 23 Detroit 6.

Dwight Howard is affecting every shot in the low post. It's time for Rasheed Wallace to step up, foul on Mcdyess.

Aaron Afflalo in the game, Prince double teamed, Wallace slams it down!

Dwight Howard with the step and the score!

Rasheed right around Howard for a two-hand dunk!! Howard Responds! He has 9 pts.

Awesome, the Pistons are on fire! Prince banks it home....oops, Nelson scores, 28-10.

What took them so long to start hitting shots? Rashard Lewis is fouled...28-12 with under 1:00 left in the 1st.

Rasheed had only 12 technical fouls?

I like the aggressiveness by the Magic on the offensive end, They are taking it to the rim constantly and it is opening things up for them. 2 free throws by Rashard. Rasheed needs to calm down!

Orlando hits 30 in 1 quarter, and a 30-12 lead.

Hamilton scores, that's like 4 shots in a row for Detroit but they are getting creamed.

Orlando with a chance, Lewis can't hit! AFFLALO SCORES AT THE BUZZER ON THE LAY UP!!!

After a miserable start, Detroit down 30-16.

Affallo scores as time expires! Great quarter for the Magic and reason for concern on Detroit's end with Billup's injury. End of 1, It is the Magic 30 and the Pistons 16. This is the NBA ON A G M!

Flip is clearly on punishment....he has to make eye contact with Pam Oliver.

If Orlando blows this lead.....

Banking in a three? Lame...and he missed anyway.

http://sport...y?id=3385685

Richard Jefferson is in trouble. Honestly, If I hear that one more athlete got arrested this week, I'm gonna write a strongly worded rant! Although this incident took place earlier this year. I heard that some defensive tackle from the Vikings was arrested for strangling his son with a plastic laundry bag.

What is the world coming to?

Dwight Howard over Ratliff! Howard is improving in his low post offense!

AND THEN HE SENDS ONE TO THE MOON!! BLOCK NUMBER 4! It's a 35-22 Orlando Lead!

Howard = Superman.

Rasheed Wallace over Gortat AND THEN It's Gortat with a response!

BOGANS FOR THREE!! Lead back up to 16! Orlando 40 Detroit 24.

BOGANS WITH A TREY AND GREAT BALL MOVEMENT THAT TIME!

Rip Hamilton has got the hot hand...he and Wallace are keeping Detroit in this game. Ugh, steps call.

Well that's fitting, 3 fouls on Rasheed, and a 40-26 lead for the Magic.

Rasheed picks up number 3!!! 40-26 Orlando as we break!

Rashard Lewis scores again. HOWARD WITH HIS 5TH BLOCK!!!! Stuckey scores the other way, and Howard gets called for the charge.

HOWARD WITH ANOTHER BLOCK BUT STUCKEY HITS!

OFFENSIVE FOUL ON HOWARD!

I swear Rasheed is like a baby, No leadership at all.

Lewis with a trey!

Rashard Lewis is killing the Pistons. He drains a three and the lead is back up to 15.

Hedo Turkoglu may want to rethink about this shooting thing...he is 2-7 from the floor.

Hamilton has cut the lead to 11! But then it's Rashard Lewis Again!!

"He wants Turkoglu to play a little bit more free....freedom." - Reggie Miller $$$%$%%#%#^#^%

Walter Herrmann is fouled and will head to the line. It is a 47-34 Orlando lead.

Despite the deficit, if I'm Detroit I'm liking the flow of this game. No way Orlando shoots 60% for the game, I think the Pistons are going to come back and win it.

I'm so going to be excited about Euro 2008 being aired on ESPN and NO Dave O'Brien to tell me about Germany and Hitler. I'll live blog the opening game, Switzerland vs. Czech Republic.

Orlando is letting them hang in here, For all that has gone on with Detroit including Chauncey's injury and Rasheed's foul trouble, they are only down 13 and can cut it to single digits before halftime.

I thought Patrick Ewing went to Orlando because he had to learn how to read and write.....

Never, ever, ever, ever, let Dwight Howard go all alone.

Amway Arena is my front runner for worst name ever. 40-37 Magic.

No, that's why Stern fixed the lottery.

Prince inside!! The lead is cut to 10!!!

HEDO CANNOT BUY A BASKET RIGHT NOW!

If I'm Pornstache Van Gundy I would bench Hedo or rip away that Most Improved Player award he won. Huge three by Rashard Lewis.

RASHARD ON THE OTHER HAND... It's a 13 point lead!

WHAT A MOVE BY RASHARD LEWIS!!! But Stuckey with the basket and the foul!!!

Orlando has to finish quarters better!

What a SPECTACULAR MOVE BY LEWIS!!! Driving to the lane and scoring!!

Stuckey all the way and one!!!

Jameer Nelson is strong BTW, that's a 70 foot shot and he hit the highest part of the backboard.

52-40 Magic at halftime.

End of the first half! Rashard Lewis leads all scorers with 18. Rip Hamilton leads Detroit with 13. It is a 54-42 lead for Orlando! ArmchairGM Halftime Report, First half analysis, stats, the usual.

54-42...I'm tired, sorry....

Chauncey will not be back for this game. I'll probably live blog this game and that's it. There's an accounting book calling my name and saying :You have to study! you must study!

The Orlando Magic need to develop some killer instinct. They are letting the Detroit Pistons stay in this game and hang around. You don't want to wake a sleeping dragon!

The Magic may end up losing this game by double digits if they aren't careful. Hedo Turkoglu is having a terrible game, but Rashard Lewis is saving them.

I expect Lewis to be a big factor for the Magic in the 2nd half.

Detroit has to get the game into single digits, they go on these little runs and then they stop. That's unacceptable, and they have to find a way to steal this game without Billups in the lineup.

I think Miller just called Jameer Nelson, Jameel Nelson.

Once again, the easy answer for Detroit is Rasheed Wallace. He has to step up and help Rip out in the scoring department. But with his head clearly into jawing with the refs, who knows. It depends on where his head is. Hedo must step up here in the second half and start hitting jumpers!

2nd half underway, Rasheed misses from three. Lewis passes on a three, loose ball, turnover, Stuckey scores!

Rodney Stuckey start us off. HEDO INSIDE!

Hedo does something useful and finally gets a lay-up to go. Wallace responds though! He has 9 points in the game...Howard around Maxiell for the SLAM!!!!!!

Rasheed with the turnaround, he has 9 points.

Dwight Howard easily around Jason Maxiell for an EMPHATIC DUNK!

Clearly, Patrick Ewing is making progress.

'Sheed is in and out (that's what she said)

Maurice Evans with a careless pass but Stuckey deflected it. Still Magic ball with the shot clock winding down...AND TURKOGLU HITS THE TRIPLE!!

HEDO WITH A TREY!! GOOD START HERE FOR HEDO IN THE 2ND HALF!

Wallace posts up, misses the layup.

LEWIS!!!! No good on the three.

Prince passes on the three the other way, and a foul on Turkoglu.

Howard looked like he walked and the hook shot....holy crap, airball.

Hedo with a foul on Prince..

And Prince hits to cut the lead to 13.

Poor shot attempt by Howard...If he becomes more consistent in the low post and develops a 16 footer...

Rip Hamilton hits!

STUCKEY MISSES THE LAY UP!!! Prince scores....single digit game now, 61-52.

Turkoglu misses again! Rip Hamilton...no good on the fade.

Lewis underneath, and Rasheed picks up his 4th foul!

"Rashard Lewis goes up against Rasheed Lewis." - Reggie Miller GRRRRRRR

Prince has cut this lead to single digits!

Hedo misses at POINT BLANK RANGE!

Rashard is fouled by Rasheed Wallace!

And Reggie Miller calls Rasheed Wallace Rasheed Lewis.

That moments after Miller said:

"Rasheed is trying to say Rasheed Lewis bumped me."

62-52 now. Turkoglu saves the ball....stop shooting, he misses again.

HOWARD WITH ANOTHER BLOCK!!

HOWARD WITH BLOCK #6!!! This one is Prince as the victim!

Keith Bogans misses the three, Hamilton can't score the other way.

EVANS ON THE DUNK!!! Timeout Detroit! 64-52 Magic.

Mo Evans with a baseline drive for a two-handed slam! Timeout Detroit. 64-52 Magic! This is the NBA ON A G M!

Howard and Lewis continue to steal the show for Orlando....but they have to get this lead to 20 to seal the deal....Detroit has gone cold again.

Bogans throws it away and has Stan Van Gundy looking pained!

RIP HAMILTON CUTS IT TO 9!

Jameer Nelson responds!

Please don't do this Orlando...remember when you were up by 18? Great shot by Nelson.

RODNEY STUCKEY SCORES OVER THE LEAPING HOWARD!!!

LEAD IS CUT TO 7!!

Stuckey is fouled by Jameer Nelson. Nelson now has 4!!

This game is slipping away from Orlando!!

I'm telling you, Orlando may end up losing this game by double digits if they aren't careful.

JFC, now Howard walks.

Oh look, a Rip Taylor lookalike is in the stands.

PRINCE HAS CUT THIS LEAD TO 3!!! We predicted this, SS! Orlando is waking up the dragon!!

Rashard with a steal in transistion.

HE HITS!!

Rashard Lewis not only gets a steal on a 3 on 1 fastbreak, he drains a three!

Foul inside on Rip Hamilton and Dwight Howard will shoot FTS.

Orlando needs to finish this quarter strong for the sake of their psyche..

He misses the 1st..and the 2nd.

Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard, Shaq, Bruce Bowen, and Tim Duncan should have a free throw shooting contest.

Prince with the offensive rebound and hits a wide open shot!

And then Prince commits a foul! Pistons over the limit!

Rashard makes the 1st...and the 2nd.

ARRGHHH!!!! DOOLING BOUGHT THE FAKE!!! So Detroit will end a quarter AGAIN with points.

This is Orlando's season on the line right here now.

A DUMB FOUL BY DOOLING!! RIP TO THE LINE!

Rip misses the 1st..makes the 2nd.

End of the 3rd quarter!! It is Orlando 73, Detroit 69. Throw four fingers in the air. It is the 4th quarter when we return.

JASON CASTRO IS GONE FROM AMERICAN IDOL! All is right with the world again, Not that it will boost ratings, that show is cooked. It will never be the same again.

LEWIS FOR THREE AGAIN!!!! He has 28!!

RASHARD FROM DOWNTOWN!!! WHAT A GAME FOR HIM!

Hamilton is off the mark...

And off the miss by Hedo, Howard is fouled by Ratliff!

Magic look very good

DOOLING FROM THREE!! The lead has ballooned to 11! Orlando showing resilency here. 7 unanswered to begin the 4th quarter!! Back in a moment!

Dick Banger.:)

DOOLING TO THE BUCKET!!! 9 UNANSWERED BY ORLANDO!!

Traveling on Rip Hamilton. It's all coming unglued for Detroit. Now is when Chauncey Billups is really missed..

RASHARD LEWIS AGAIN! 11 STRAIGHT!

11-0 run by Orlando, 84-69...Keyon Dooling is proving to be huge.

Rasheed makes both!

AND THEN IT'S HEDO FROM THREE-POINT LAND!! LEAD IS NOW 16!

Wallace is fouled.

Game...90-73.

Hamilton scores on the fastbreak! HEDO AGAIN!!

THIS IS WHY HE'S THE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN THE NBA!! 4TH QUARTER HEROICS!

Prince is fouled.

Seriously, mute Reggie Miller.

Stuckey is fouled as Orlando failed to get a rebound. Keyon Dooling should get more minutes guarding Rip and Stuckey or Chauncey {if he should come back} He's taller with longer arms and is a better defensive matchup.

MO EVANS WITH A MIRACLE SHOT!!! HAAA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!

EVANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jameer Nelson has extended the lead to 17!! TIMEOUT DETROIT! The game is essentially over barring a miracle.

I hate to pick on Rasheed Wallace, but isn't it accurate to say that if his head were on straight and he was focused that the Pistons would have completed their potential comeback??

Nelson extends the lead.

Rip Responds

HOWARD WITH A BUCKET AND THE FOUL!

Well this game is over, and Orlando have a very impressive win here.

Reggie is raping my ear right now..

I'm sorry to hear Reggie is raping your ear.

HEDO HAS PUT THE MAGIC OVER THE CENTURY MARK! Offensive foul on Rip Hamilton. 101-83. Put the women and children to bed, folks. Back in a moment.

OH MY GOD!!! TNT, DO SOMETHING PLEASE!!! IT'S BAD ENOUGH REGGIE ANNOYED ME AS A KNICKS FAN, NOW HE HAS TO ANNOY ME WITH HIS MOUTH!! MY EAR!!! MY EAR!!

Rashard Lewis with an unreal game tonight!

Dooling should definitely play more 4th quarter minutes, He has had an impact in this 4th quarter. CROWD ON THEIR FEET!' It is over!! Final score Orlando 111, Detroit 86. Excellent 4th quarter by the Magic! My Player of the game, Rashard Lewis with his best performance of the year!

Got to run, SS! Enjoy the Jazz/Lakers!