-- Utah has not been a kind place to the Pistons over the past 20 years. They have won only twice in Salt Lake City since the 1988-89 season.
Raja Bell's controversial 3-pointer broke a 95-95 tie with 50.7 seconds left, sending the Pistons to their 14th road loss in 17 games, a 102-97 final Monday at Energy Solutions Center. Replays appeared to show Bell's foot was on the line.
The officials have the power to review such plays, but chose not to. Assistant coach Pat Sullivan talked to official Ed Malloy, who said Gary Zielinski said he was sure.
With the Pistons trailing by three two possessions later, Tracy McGrady's 3-pointer from the top of the key was off mark and the Jazz made their free throws to close it out. To a man, no one knew Bell's foot was on the line.
"I didn't even know, I was looking to box out my man," said forward Austin Daye. "I wouldn't blame this game on the refs, we just didn't get the buckets we needed."
The Jazz entered Monday as the league's most potent fourth-quarter team (26 ppg). With big men Al Jefferson (16 points, eight rebounds) and Paul Milsap (15 points, 10 rebounds) having a good night, the outcome was predictable, even with the Pistons holding a one-point lead.
After all, closing out victories on the road hasn't been the Pistons forte this season.
But with the Pistons, nothing is predictable. The Pistons didn't allow the Jazz to run away. McGrady produced another all-around performance (11 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds). His leaning jumper as the shot clock expired with less than three minutes left gave the Pistons a one-point lead.
"I thought he was outstanding, he did a good job at controlling the pace of the game, making good decisions," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "Eleven assists with one turnover is very impressive."
Point guard Deron Williams didn't have a good shooting night, going 4 for 10, but his running floater gave the Jazz a 95-93 lead with 1:29 left. After a baseline hook by Tayshaun Prince (26 points, five assists) tied it, Bell hit a 3-pointer.
"It just came down to those final minutes," said Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, who fouled out after scoring 11 points in 24 minutes. "We didn't get the stops that we needed and they capitalized on that."
On the ensuing timeout, Ben Gordon, who made three of six from 3-point range, was on the bench, as he was for the entire fourth quarter. Pistons coach John Kuester went with Richard Hamilton, who missed a late baseline jumper that would've given the Pistons a lead.
Rookie Greg Monroe's dunk cut it to a one-point lead, and after the Jazz made two free throws, McGrady's 3-pointer went wide.
"We did a great job of matching their intensity as a team that is well-coached, that plays hard every night," McGrady said." You have to match their intensity every time you play against these guys."
Jan. 4, 2011
