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Down seven at halftime, the Pistons started slowly in the third quarter and could not recover as they dropped a 124-104 decision at Milwaukee in Game 3 on Saturday. Chauncey Billups led the way with 24 points. Game 4 is Monday at the Bradley Center.
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Game Three Leaders
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| Points: | (DET) Chauncey Billups, 26
(MIL) Michael Redd, 40 |
| Rebounds: | (DET) Antonio McDyess, 8
(MIL) Three Players Tied, 7 |
| Assists: | (DET) Chauncey Billups, 6
(MIL) T.J. Ford, 15 |
| Blocks: | (DET) Three Players Tied, 1
(MIL) Jamaal Magloire, 2 |
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| PISTONS.COM |
| PLAYER OF THE GAME |
Michael Redd
Points: 40
Rebounds: 5
FTM-A: 8-8
FGM-A: 14-21
Minutes: 34
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Pistons Head Coach Flip Saunders
On the game:
“They kicked our butts in every category they could. They shot the ball extremely well, they rebounded, they ran and defended. As I told our guys, we never got into playing our style of ball. They were much more aggressive than we were. Usually, in any game whoever is the most aggressive team is going to have success. I said from day one against this team, when you have a team that can shoot the ball well, they have a lot of guys that can shoot it, they have the ability at times to give you problems if they get on a roll. They start off the first quarter they start making shots. We played a little out of character. We weren’t moving the ball. Very rarely are we in situation where we have 22 assists to the other team’s 34.”
On Ben Wallace’s early fouls:
“I think what happened is that took some of his aggressiveness away. It took some of our team’s defensive intensity away a little bit. We fell behind and we all tried to make big plays instead of making the easy plays. That’s something that I’ve been preaching. We were trying to make the home run play to get back in it instead of getting into a grind situation. When you play a team and they shoot 61 from the field, 65 from the three point line and end up shooting 87 from the free throw line… They had some open shots, once a team gets on a roll, you can start testing them and it doesn’t matter.”
On Milwaukee’s adjustments:
“I told our guys before the game, the biggest adjustment they’re going to make is the attitude they’re going to play with and how hard they’re going to play. They played with a great amount of energy and got some shots going early and got their confidence going. That can’t change how we play.”
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Pistons Guard Chauncey Billups
On rebounding from the game:
“We just have to come out and do what we do. We have to come out and play defense and make them play defense. We’ll be fine, we’re alright.”
On if losing can be a positive:
“Sometimes losing games like this is a good thing for the team. You don’t want to lose, but sometimes it’s good to get everybody back to doing what we do. Our meat and potatoes is playing defense, making them play defense, getting back to the basics. When you win and it’s coming easy, you try to get away sometimes from the basics. We did that a little tonight, but we’ll be fine.”
On the Bucks:
“They didn’t make the playoffs for no reason. They really should have been the fifth seed. They didn’t and we know that they’re a very capable team. They can get it going and tonight was one of those nights. They showed their potential.”
On the Bucks playing like the Pistons in the first two games:
“They really did, 30 something assists. They definitely played like we played the first two nights. They have some deadly three point shooters. When you let those guys get 30 some assists, you know at least 15 to 16 of those assists are going to lead to three pointers.”
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Bucks Head Coach Terry Stotts
On the different outcome:
“We didn’t have the same players, Toni Kukoc played. I think Toni made a big difference in the game. From a basketball standpoint, obviously we passed the ball very well. For T.J. to have 15 assists with one turnover, he had a tremendous game. We had 34 assists, I don’t know if we had 34 assists combined in the first two games. Defensively, we got some stops and rebounds and we played more in the open court. T.J. and Mo did a good job of pushing it. We shot the ball well. Mo went six for six in the first half. Offensively, we played well.”
On if the emphasis was going inside:
“I think the emphasis wasn’t so much getting the ball inside, but to play basketball. Whether it was getting the ball in the block. I thought our transition was very good. The emphasis wasn’t so much going inside as it was taking what’s available, not forcing it, not playing in a crowd. Whether that meant going to the block or driving. Detroit is a very good defensive team and you have to take advantage of what they give you at any given moment.”
On the team effort:
“We got a lot of help up and down. Everybody who got in helped. Obviously, everyone looks at the offensive end. I thought defensively, that really keyed us. T.J.’s energy, we got our hands on a lot of balls, pushing it. Obviously, Toni coming in, the impact he and Mo had off the bench in the second quarter. I go back to T.J.’s energy to start each half was very good and I think Toni was the spark we needed. His passing is infectious, it’s one of the things that helped us.”
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Bucks Guard Michael Redd
On his game:
“I was just playing basketball, my teammates did a wonderful job of really opening it up for me. It was a team effort tonight and it just felt good. My shot got rolling.”
On getting more assists:
“That was a concern for us after the first two games, getting assists. We really did a great job of penetrating the basketball, finding the extra man. Toni Kukoc played a tremendous game, Mo Williams came in and played well. We did a great job of penetrating and trying to push the ball.”
On Toni Kukoc:
“He’s a matchup problem. He does a great job of finding people. He’s a 6’11” guy who’s mobile and gives us matchup problems. He did a great job tonight.”
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