Blizza Blizza

Sheesh. I feel like Stuart Scott with that headline.

The Sixers had to Fear the Fro, of course, but what they didn’t count on was Rick Carlisle having a conference with Alan Trammell on winning by committee. Bullpen by Committee(tm) worked for the Tigers, and with Chauncey Billups out, Pistons coach Rick Carlisle stole a page from the Tigers’ book and used Point Guard by Committee to great success. Detroit won 104-97 in overtime after leading by as much as 14 during the first half.

Chucky Atkins and Rip Hamilton had 23 each, and rookie Tayshaun Prince had a career night, scoring two of his 20 points to send the game to overtime and scoring the first five points of overtime with ice in his veins, making tough shots over veteran defenders look easy.

Ben Wallace and Cliff Robinson, two veterans not known for their scoring, stepped up with key points throughout the game. Robinson hit his first five shots on his way to 14 points in the first quarter and helped the Pistons to get off to an amazing over-60 percent shooting in the same period. Jon Barry came off the bench in the fourth quarter and lit up the floor with 11 points - nine came from three-pointers - and two steals.

As Rip Hamilton noted after the game, the Pistons need to work on their free-throw shooting. They were a dismal 60 percent (21-35) from the line for the game, and only 20 percent for the first half. If it hadn’t been for the terrible shooting from the line, the Sixers never would have had a chance. Now we head to Philly. Look out!