Ryan PravatoPistons take care of Business (LINK)
May 2nd 2008 16:57
The Pistons made me very satisfied last night. Just as the announcers had said, the game was over at the 9 minute mark in the first quarter. It’s truly amazing what some good old defense will do against a team they’re supposed to beat easily. Last night’s game was a complete joke. Anytime a team is up by 30 on the road in an elimination game, you know there must be quite a discrepancy in the talent of the two teams.
Wondering if the Game 4 halftime “speech” or “moment” could become a legendary event in Piston’s history just has me geeked to no end. Ever since that halftime in Game 4, the Piston’s have dominated, albeit against a sub .500 team, but domination is domination. If their inspired play continues, the Game 4 halftime could become epic stuff here in Detroit, but only if Detroit wins it all, definitely not out of the realm of possibility.
In basketball, especially the NBA, the game comes down to matchups. The Orlando v. Detroit series presents some intriguing matchups favoring both teams.
Will Detroit be able to play Howard one-on-one? Last year the Pistons didn’t need to double team him, but Howard’s game has grown since then. He has now incorporated a couple of strong moves like a trusty hook shot and better touch around the rim. Free throws will be a key for Dwight, because with all of the Piston’s bigs they can throw at him, he will get fouled a fair amount of times.
Theo Ratliff will get some more time in this series. He matches up with Howard the best out of anybody, especially strength wise. Plus, the Piston’s don’t really want Rasheed guarding him the whole game, and for obvious reasons. The Pistons will also have their hands full with Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. Both of these wings can really shoot it, especially from the long line. Prince will likely have to check Hedo, leaving Hamilton to guard a 4 inch taller Lewis. That’s a tough cover. But Rip will also have an advantage, as he is much quicker than Lewis. The Magic also have other sharp shooters, namely Keith Bogans and Maurice Evans and seldom used Pat Garrity too.
Keith and Maurice aren’t guys who can create shots for themselves, but if Nelson is passing the ball well and the rest of the guys are swinging the ball around the perimeter, those guys can become major factors. The Pistons have the distinct advantage of a competent bench, especially in terms of big men. If you look at the Orlando bench, there isn’t much to get worried about. Do Adonal Foyle or Marcin Gortat scare you? Now on the other hand, guard wise, they have some pieces. Bogans and Keyon Dooling provide a veteran bench presence that the Pistons lack.
Right now it seems that Arron Afflalo has leapfrogged Jarvis Hayes for Prince’s backup minutes. And with Stuckey backing up Billups, that leaves 2 rookies coming off the bench and playing important minutes. But Orlando can’t counter McDyess, Ratliff or Amir Johnson. Even Brian Cook, if he is healthy now, can’t even compare to the presence those guys bring to the game.
Billups should eat up Nelson and really wreak havoc on the weak Magic D if he can stay aggressive most of the game. All this series comes down to is effort. If the Pistons bring the effort, this series is over in 5. If they dick around, it will be 6 or 7, or even a defeat. But something tells me this team is raring to go now, especially after the Dumars/McDyess speech/shouting during Game 4.
I will say Pistons in 6.
As for the other series,
San Antonio over New Orleans in 6 (I’m wavering on this one, should be great watching though).
I love the New Orleans jerseys...
The clash of styles should benefit the Spurs, because they can dictate tempo better and have the experience to do so. Bowen vs. Paul will be the key to the fast break style New Orleans wants to impose on the Spurs. But defending while a team is fast breaking takes a team effort, so guys like Duncan, Thomas, Udoka and Oberto will have to get back quickly.
Wizards will force a Game 7 because Gil is not in the lineup, thus forcing the team to get more guys involved, like Roger Mason, Andray Blatche and Antonio Daniels.
Utah will take care of the Rockets because Houston can’t continue to have this kind of luck in Utah.
The Hawks will play good, but in the end the experience factor will prove to be vital. Celts by 7.
Happy watching!
Wondering if the Game 4 halftime “speech” or “moment” could become a legendary event in Piston’s history just has me geeked to no end. Ever since that halftime in Game 4, the Piston’s have dominated, albeit against a sub .500 team, but domination is domination. If their inspired play continues, the Game 4 halftime could become epic stuff here in Detroit, but only if Detroit wins it all, definitely not out of the realm of possibility.
In basketball, especially the NBA, the game comes down to matchups. The Orlando v. Detroit series presents some intriguing matchups favoring both teams.
Will Detroit be able to play Howard one-on-one? Last year the Pistons didn’t need to double team him, but Howard’s game has grown since then. He has now incorporated a couple of strong moves like a trusty hook shot and better touch around the rim. Free throws will be a key for Dwight, because with all of the Piston’s bigs they can throw at him, he will get fouled a fair amount of times.
Theo Ratliff will get some more time in this series. He matches up with Howard the best out of anybody, especially strength wise. Plus, the Piston’s don’t really want Rasheed guarding him the whole game, and for obvious reasons. The Pistons will also have their hands full with Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. Both of these wings can really shoot it, especially from the long line. Prince will likely have to check Hedo, leaving Hamilton to guard a 4 inch taller Lewis. That’s a tough cover. But Rip will also have an advantage, as he is much quicker than Lewis. The Magic also have other sharp shooters, namely Keith Bogans and Maurice Evans and seldom used Pat Garrity too.
Keith and Maurice aren’t guys who can create shots for themselves, but if Nelson is passing the ball well and the rest of the guys are swinging the ball around the perimeter, those guys can become major factors. The Pistons have the distinct advantage of a competent bench, especially in terms of big men. If you look at the Orlando bench, there isn’t much to get worried about. Do Adonal Foyle or Marcin Gortat scare you? Now on the other hand, guard wise, they have some pieces. Bogans and Keyon Dooling provide a veteran bench presence that the Pistons lack.
Right now it seems that Arron Afflalo has leapfrogged Jarvis Hayes for Prince’s backup minutes. And with Stuckey backing up Billups, that leaves 2 rookies coming off the bench and playing important minutes. But Orlando can’t counter McDyess, Ratliff or Amir Johnson. Even Brian Cook, if he is healthy now, can’t even compare to the presence those guys bring to the game.
Billups should eat up Nelson and really wreak havoc on the weak Magic D if he can stay aggressive most of the game. All this series comes down to is effort. If the Pistons bring the effort, this series is over in 5. If they dick around, it will be 6 or 7, or even a defeat. But something tells me this team is raring to go now, especially after the Dumars/McDyess speech/shouting during Game 4.
I will say Pistons in 6.
As for the other series,
San Antonio over New Orleans in 6 (I’m wavering on this one, should be great watching though).
I love the New Orleans jerseys...
The clash of styles should benefit the Spurs, because they can dictate tempo better and have the experience to do so. Bowen vs. Paul will be the key to the fast break style New Orleans wants to impose on the Spurs. But defending while a team is fast breaking takes a team effort, so guys like Duncan, Thomas, Udoka and Oberto will have to get back quickly.
Wizards will force a Game 7 because Gil is not in the lineup, thus forcing the team to get more guys involved, like Roger Mason, Andray Blatche and Antonio Daniels.
Utah will take care of the Rockets because Houston can’t continue to have this kind of luck in Utah.
The Hawks will play good, but in the end the experience factor will prove to be vital. Celts by 7.
Happy watching!
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