This seems to be a trend in the world today - live blogging a sporting event. This seems to be a fun idea, so I said, what the heck, I'll give it a shot.
7:31 - The first shots on FSN Detroit's broadcast are of Ben Wallace carrying in his world heavyweight championship belt and of Allen Iverson carrying in ? shoes. Higher standards, I'm sure.
7:42 - Game on! Ashton Kutch ... err ... Kyle Korver missed another 3-pointer. Go figure.
7:43 - Uh oh. Two points for Chris Webber. Only 23 more to go until I might have to eat a bug.
8:09 - Pistons play-by-play man Fred McLeod finally picks up on the Ashton Kutcher-Kyle Korver thing. Good for him.
8:21 - Antonio McDyess, the real Comeback Player of the Year, hits another jumper, and then, on the other end of the floor, leaps into the air and swats a shot. Nice. Then, after a Philly miss, he nails another jumper. Amazing.
8:29 - McDyess BLOCKS ANOTHER!!! And knocks Iverson to the floor in the process. I love it! McDyess has taken over this game. Iverson is 5-for-16 at this point, folks, with more than two minutes left in the first half.
8:57 - Richard Hamilton's shot was just goaltended by not one, but two Philadelphia players. Is that even possible? I don't care. Count it!
8:58 - Now, it's Webber's turn to goaltend a shot. Count one for Tayshaun Prince. If this were a goaltending contest, Philadelphia would be firmly in control of this series.
8:58 - Well. 'Sheed was just T'd up on the other end. I agree with McLeod saying that he earned it. On the replay, he almost punched a woman and her children. They got their money's worth. The woman grins sheepishly, as do I.
9:04 - Suck on that one, Dick Bavetta, says 'Sheed, as he hits two consecutive 3-pointers to put the Pistons ahead, 59-50 and forcing the Sixers into a timeout.
9:10 - "HE REGGIE MILLER'D HIM!" exclaims McLeod. Prince makes an amazing block on Iverson, swatting Iverson like he did Miller in last season's Eastern Conference Finals.
9:20 - Iverson air balls his FOURTH shot of the game. Me thinks he's tired. 69-57 Pistons at the end of three. I don't even air ball four shots in a pickup game, although the competition at IM Sports-West isn't exactly NBA caliber.
9:25 - McDyess blocks another shot. McLeod: "Poor Marc Jackson! He was suffocated!"
9:29 - Lindsey Hunter parts the 76ers defense like it's the Red Sea, blowing by Iverson and Jackson on his way to quite possibly the most uncontested lay-in I've ever seen.
9:36 - Webber hits his first field goal in forever. He now has 15 with 7:30 to play. I believe I can put Bug Watch 2005 to rest for this game.
9:40 - Pistons up by 20. Philadelphia is just not good. Korver misses a wide open 3-pointer on the other end. Greg Kelser: "If he can't hit that, he's of no use to them." No kidding. He's been getting punk'd by Prince all series long.
9:44 - Iverson and Webber are out for good. This one has been mailed in.
9:46 - Only 4:30 left and Pistons firmly in control. It's almost time to light the Human Victory Cigar.
9:47 - Here he comes! 4:05 to go! Put this one in the bag. It's Darko Milicic time, boys and girls!
9:48 - BLOCK BY DARKO! BLOCK BY DARKO!
9:49 - Back to normal. Foul on Darko.
9:52 - McLeod: "Don't be fooled by the final score. Philly has been smoked tonight!"
9:55 - Hunter steal, dunk. This guy is small (6-foot-2) and he just threw one down. Why must I be so white?
9:58 - Put this one in the books. Pistons win 99-84, and McLeod's statement at 9:52 holds true.
Matt Bishop is a State News sports reporter. He can be reached at bishop20@msu.edu.
