Detroit Pistons Getting Inside 2009-11-06

Pistons rookie Jonas Jerebko is keeping people up late in his native Sweden.

Jerebko started his first two games in the NBA this week and his family and friends back in Sweden watched. Never mind that the games begin in the middle of the night.

"Give them credit, they're staying up late," said Jerebko, a second-round draft pick who has surprised the team with his play.

Jerebko got the starts after Tayshaun Prince came down with a back injury.

"It's six hours ahead (so it's early in the morning in Sweden) but everybody stayed up," said Jerebko, who continues to impress with his hustle and basketball know-how.

There weren't any more nerves than usual, even though Jerebko found himself in the starting lineup.

"After the tip-off I was good," Jerebko said. "Maybe a minute before the game when they call your name (there were nerves). Coach told me after I got to the gym that I was starting and just treat it like a regular game and get ready."

RAPTORS, 110, PISTONS 99: Toronto outscored the Pistons 44-28 in the second quarter, turning the complexion of the game around. That enabled the Raptors to take a 68-56 lead into halftime, but the Pistons rallied in the fourth quarter, and took a 91-90 lead on Will Bynum's lay-up with eight minutes to play. But the Raptors recovered and cruised down the stretch. Toronto was 36-of-47 from the foul line, while the Pistons only shot 25 free throws (making 17).

Ben Gordon had 30 points and Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum scored 16 points each for Detroit. Rodney Stuckey had 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.




Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: November 6, 2009