[AK-47]

That sucks, guess I will have to do with the radio again.

[Austin Kent]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis rookie Rudy Gay scored 21 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter Saturday night, to lead the Grizzlies to a 101-89 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit had taken a 78-77 lead with 8:34 left, but Memphis put together a 20-6 run to go up 97-84 with 2:33 left. Gay scored nine in that stretch.

Dahntay Jones added 17 for Memphis, going 6-of-8 from the floor, while Hakim Warrick scored 13 and had eight rebounds.

For the second straight game, Lawrence Roberts had double-digit rebounds with 10 in 15 minutes. Gay, the rookie out of Connecticut, has led Memphis in scoring in all three exhibition games.

Five Pistons scored in double figures, led by 16 from Jason Maxiell. Flip Murray added 14 and Carlos Delfino had 13. Chauncey Billups was the only Detroit starter in double figures with 10 points, matching the total by Amir Johnson.

Free Press

[Austin Kent]

Matchup: Pistons (2-1 in exhibitions) vs. Utah Jazz (1-1).

Tip-off: 7:30, Palace.

TV/radio: FSN; WDFN-AM (1130)

Injuries: Detroit -- none. Utah -- C Andrei Kirilenko (back) doubtful, SG Derek Fisher (pelvis) doubtful.

Overview: The Pistons are 2-1 in three preseason games and have looked crisp and intriguing as they focus on working with their bench, blending in C Nazr Mohammed and adding more zone defense. Their 101-89 loss came Saturday, when five Pistons hit double figures against Memphis, which played without star Pau Gasol, on the second game of a road back-to-back. A 22-6 Grizzlies run in the fourth ensured the Memphis win. The starters have played in the low 20s each night, as coach Flip Saunders has committed the exhibition month to prepping players like F Carlos Delfino, G Flip Murray and PF Jason Maxiell for bigger roles this season. Expect the same tonight.

Free Press

[Goubot]

First quarter's over, but Flip Murray's off to a really hot start, 5-8 shooting, 11 points, all in 8 minutes. This is the kind of production that can make him so deadly yet so frustrating at the same time.

EDIT: Jason Maxiell has also gotten several offensive rebounds and converted them into field goals, which is a good sign. I still think he isn't as good a rebounder as he could be, but does seem to be a legitimate threat on the offensive glass. He's had at least three in all the preseason games now, and he has that many in the first quarter of this one.

[Goubot]

Pistons win, 90-85. The Jazz were just awful on offense, but they got so many offensive rebounds (16 as opposed to our 4) throughout the game that it was still close (who is this Paul Millsap guy anyway, he had like 5 offensive rebounds).

Nazr had a good shooting game (6-9) but 5 turnovers. Wasn't much on the boards, either.

Maxiell (23 minutes) was fairly impressive, with 4-5 shooting from the field, 6-12 from the free throw line, 7 rebounds (basically all our offensive rebounds), and three blocks, and just one turnover.

Delfino had a pretty poor game again, dunno what else to say there.

Will Blalock made an appearance and didn't do too badly (2-3 from the field, 3 assists in 10 minutes, no turnovers).

Flip Murray's the big story here, he cooled off after the first quarter but still ended up with 19 points off efficient shooting. He also had five assists and no turnovers. On nights when he's on, he can be extremely devastating. It's just that those nights aren't that frequent.

We're still feeling the bench out, but I'd be fairly happy if most of them could play on this level throughout the actual season.

[Brian]

Got to watch a decent amount of the game. Mad Max looked great. He was doing it all out there for the pistons. One of the negative things that sticks out to me is the lack of a 3 point shooter off the bench. The trio of Hunter, Delfino and Murray isn't going to get it done consistently. Overall though I am pretty happy with where we are at.

[Goubot]

That is a legit concern. Last year, we could take Evans (and Delk, later on) off the bench for some solid three point shooting. No such luck this year.

Flip has had the tendency of shooting a lot of threes even though he's not great at it. Delfino's stroke has been a bit wayward, but I think it can improve. He won't be particularly threatening from three this year, though.

[STUCKEY!]

I wish i could see these games !!

[Austin Kent]

Jason Maxiell is forcing Pistons coach Flip Saunders to take a good long look at including him in the regular rotation -- sooner rather than later.

The second-year forward continued his stellar preseason campaign with a 14-point, seven-rebound, three-block -- and uncountable gasp-worthy moments -- performance in Monday's 90-85 win over the Utah Jazz at the Palace.

After coming into camp a good 20 pounds lighter, Maxiell has shown he's ready with his explosive scoring touch around the basket and his willingness to listen and learn.

For instance, Saunders said he got on Maxiell's defensive rebounding effort at halftime of the team's loss Saturday in Memphis. Maxiell soaked it in and finished that game with six defensive rebounds.

On Monday, in front of a crowd of 15,690, he had four. He's working on it.

"It's more just me being an undersized player," he said. "I've got to hit my man first and then go get them."

Free Press

[Goubot]

Game today against Minnesota at 7. Dunno if it's on TV or anything, but we're supposed to expect to see a lot of Flip Murray tonight.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Goubot

Game today against Minnesota at 7. Dunno if it's on TV or anything, but we're supposed to expect to see a lot of Flip Murray tonight.

Its on FSN Detroit...

[Brian]

Some early impressions from tonights game (10/18)

I am happy with Nazr. He is active on the glass and blocking some shots. He has a few post moves too. I can't wait till Rick Rickert gets cut. This guy is a bigger cheerleader then Mateen Cleaves. Everytime the Pistons get a rebound he goes nuts.

[Brian]

Our kids look real good out there. Amir and Max both finished the half strong. Amir had a few nice blocks. Max had a very nice dunk. Even Blalock looks good out there. He is a traditional pass first type point guard. I just wish he had some more size.

[Brian]

I am kinda warming up to the whole Flip running the point. I still think there had to better options out there though. Overall though we look good. I guess it helps we are playing the Wolves because they are a pretty bad team. They have Vin Baker on their roster