Saturday 10th of February Detroit @ Utah
Preview
This is set to be a absolute pearler with both teams set to make a statement. Detroit come off a big 3 week rest and will be rearing to go. A big key for Utah is not to completely shut down Shaquille and Dirk because on previous from that is impossible but they will try and keep them under 20 which will be vital if they are to contest this match. But expect B.B Carp to continue his all star from as he is averaging 34.75 ppg in his last 4 games. This should overall be a ripper and 3PK’S prediction is Pistons win 87-79 in what is a tightly contested game with lots of scoring
Pistons starting 5
C- S. O’Neal
PF- D. Nowitzki
SF- J. Howard
SG- R. Hamilton
PG- C. Billups
Utah Starting 5
C- M. Okur
PF- C. Boozer
SF- A. Kirelinko
SG- A. Barros
PG- D. Williams
Summary
1st Quarter In the first Detroit came out rejuvenate after a long break with a serious point to prove. The Pistons where looking seriously like a Championship team as they went out early to lead 10-4. The pressure then began to mount on Utah’s interior as Detroit punished them inside scoring all of there first 12 points in the paint. But then Utah found a inspiration from rookie A. Barros as he jammed on Shaq, they took this and quickly hit back to trail just 10-14. But Detroit then tired Utah as they continued to bang bodies inside, this then lead to the inside out game beginning as new recruit Shaq drew a double then kicked out the dirk for an open three. But Utah made a great move as they drew too quick fouls on Shaq to leave him stranded on 3 fouls. Regardless of this the Pistons strolled to a demolishing 26-18 lead.
2nd Quarter In the 2nd Udonis and Jason came on for the 1st runs as a Piston but the early nerves quickly went away from Jason as he drilled a pass to Mr. Unconscious [ B.B Carpenter] for a triple. Jason then went to Haslem as he got to the Charity stripe where he was able to score his first points. The pistons then powered to a 34-22 lead. The pistons then Began to “school” them as they went up 38-22. But Utah where determined to make this a close one as they went transition after transition basket on Detroit to trail by just 8. But Nowitzki sharpened the lead back out to 13 points 50-37 by the half
Players at the half
Detroit 
Dirk Nowitzki 20 points and 1 rebound
Utah 
A. Kirelinko 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal
3rd Quarter In the second half Shaq became the vocal point as he went into double figures whilst injuring Mehmet Okur at the same time. Detroit then put the medal to the pedal thumping the Jazz and raking out to a 62-45 lead. They then began to run a triangle offence Billups to Shaq who drew a double team which allowed an easy basket for Hamilton, Howard but mainly Dirk. Detroit then began looking like there old blow out selves as they went up 73-52. They then trampled into the last winning 84-60 after a unbelievable quarter.
4th Quarter The last Quarter was simply garbage time as the game was already sealed barring a miracle. This was an opportunity for Haslem to show he was a gallant pick up but the serious show was the B.B Carp one as he found the bottom of the net on a tough three, but this wasn’t time for them to quit as they got back to 15 points after two minutes. The Pistons then began to lose grip as Utah came within 11. But Detroit didn’t despair as they kept the at at least 9 points. They then gave mourning a run in the post as he set the lead back out to 20. Although this was short lived as they went on to win 108-94.
surprise of the game
The surprise of the game was definitely Mourning’s return to form now that he had 3 former team-mates back as he scored 7 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, dished 3 assists and had 3 Blocks.
Pistons Debutants
O’Neal

In Shaquille’s First game he played a solid role with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks but this was the least to expect as he played very little game time due to foul trouble only 10 minutes.
Udonis Haslem

Udonis had a solid performance off the bench with 10 minutes also as he had 4 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists
Jason Williams

Jason was quiet with 4 points, 3 assists and 1 steal but expect bigger things from him
3PK’s Game breaker:
Chauncey Billups 
Chauncey Was the game breaker obviously as he was the difference with his assists (which set up 31 points) and 12 points off his own. He largely was helped by the acquisition of Shaq to as he drew several double teams to create major miss matches as Shaq and Dirk where doubled. In total he’s numbers where 12 points, 2 rebounds, 15 assists and 1 steal
Notable performers

Dirk Nowitzki 33 points and 3 rebounds

B.B Carpenter once again ripped up the net with 27 points

Youngster A. Barros continued a strong rookie battle with B.B scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 boards and crediting 3 assists.
Underperformer of the game

Derek Fisher shot a woeful 3-10 from the field for 6 points and 2 assists
Player of the game
Chauncey Billups 
12 points, 2 rebounds, 15 assists and 1 steal
Statistic Leaders
Points 
Dirk Nowitzki 33, B.B Carpenter 27
Rebounds 
Araujo 10, Mourning 9, Howard a notable 8
Assists 
Billups 15, Williams 4, Haslem 4
Blocks 
O’Neal 4, Mourning 3
Steals 
Hamilton 3, Giricek 2
Shooting percentage
Pistons :arrow: 55%
Utah 
48%
3-pt shooting percentage
Detroit 
46%
Utah 
28%
Bench points
Detroit 
39
Utah 
25
Injury Report
Mehmet Okur

Broken nose two weeks
Note: Next Recap will be regarding The all star weekend so keep an eye-out for it