RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Months of frustration ended in one
moment: Joe Smith hanging from the rim, tongue wagging after a
dunk.
|  | | Joe Smith hit his first three shot attempts as a member of the Detroit Pistons Friday night. |
Smith finally made his much-anticipated season debut Friday
night, scoring 20 points in 20 minutes and helping the Detroit
Pistons to a 118-96 win over Vancouver.
His highlight came in the third quarter when he caught a miss by
Chucky Atkins in mid-air. He slammed the ball through, energizing
the crowd and his teammates. Smith came down with fists swinging,
drawing a technical foul for hanging on the rim too long. But at
that point it didn't matter as the game was too far out of reach
for the Grizzlies.
"That (dunk) was a lot of emotion and a lot of frustration,"
Smith said. "It was everything just coming out. It's just a big
relief to get back out onto the floor.
"I was very nervous. I had just one day of practice. I really
haven't had much time to blend with this team."
Smith provided Detroit with the emotional and physical presence
it had been lacking inside -- the one it was seeking when signing
Smith to a one-year $2.25 million deal last week.
"I think you have to be impressed with what kind of shape
(Smith) was in," Pistons head coach George Irvine said. "The fact
that he has not played in a month and has only benefited from a
couple days of my coaching, he was pretty remarkable."
It was a big relief for Smith to finally take to the floor. NBA
commissioner David Stern nullified Smith's contract with the
Timberwolves after Minnesota was caught signing a series of secret
contracts with Smith.
Smith chose Detroit after a short free-agency period that saw
him courted heavily by the Pistons and Dallas Mavericks.
"It's amazing what having a guy like that does to the other
guys," said Jerry Stackhouse, who had 31 for Detroit. "They see
him out there and they feel like they have to pick it up."
Stackhouse finished the game despite being hammered by Vancouver
forward Tony Massenburg with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
The blow opened a cut over his right eye, requiring four stitches
before he could return in the fourth quarter.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim led the Grizzlies with 29 points.
Stackhouse had 20 points by the end of a first half in which
Detroit scored a season-high 70 points.
Game
notes
The Pistons thanked fans for helping recruit Smith by
allowing Friday night's spectators to exchange ticket stubs for
free admission to another game. Smith received a standing ovation
during a Nov. 12 game at the Palace while Detroit was seeking to
sign him. He later told teammates that the fan reception made him
feel even more close to the franchise. ... Vancouver dropped its
seventh straight.
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NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
Smith says he left unfinished business in Minnesota
RECAPS
Philadelphia 76
Atlanta 67
Boston 103
Orlando 98
Cleveland 85
Miami 80
Detroit 118
Vancouver 96
Indiana 99
Washington 87
Charlotte 106
Milwaukee 90
Denver 102
San Antonio 92
Phoenix 80
Golden State 74
Utah 97
New Jersey 85
Seattle 98
LA Clippers 81
LA Lakers 115
Minnesota 108
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