juan dixon should get amir´s spot today

billups´ situation is too shaky

Believe it or not, I knew the Pistons would lose Game 3 from the very first Boston possession.

If the Pistons show urgency/desperation from the very first possession of the ballgame, they will win.

I want to see penetration throughout the game, and fullcourt pressure on every possession. We must be scrappy and get VERY physical with them. This is our home and we need to show some heart tonight.

Honestly, I think if Chauncey is 80% or more, that Detroit wins this game. I can’t see them shooting as badly as they did in game 2 (especially the first half) again, and I don’t see Boston’s role players as being able to be consistently productive on the road. That, plus Detroit will be more desperate (Boston pretty much already has what it wanted).

Hey-Celtic fan here. I’m looking forward to a good game!

It must be very frustrating to be a Piston fan because of their tendency to be complacent and take nights off. I’m sorry guys.

Enjoy the game tonight!

I’m not as concerned as some folks seem, but that might be because I’m in Chicago. I’m a die hard Wings & Pistons fan, but my husband favors the Pistons. We get ABC in our bedroom, but not Versus. It was pretty easy to determine who we would continue watching in HD on Saturday & I’m hoping that the decision will be A LOT tougher tonight.

I’m with Fadel, the Pistons need to show urgency from the start & we should be OK. Like Flip said, we can’t keep playing from behind. It’s exhausting.

Go Pistons & Go Wings!!!!!!

Why do the Pistons always have to start a game being down double digits before they start playing? It takes a lot of energy to fight back in EVERY game because of their poor starts. Very frustrating.

Boston has shot well and gotten to the boards efficiently in essentially every moment of this series. We don’t need to win those battles to win; we just need to do our things, which are: protect the ball better than them, pressure their looks when we’re on defense, and make open shots. Shooting something north of 45% guarantees a Pistons victory no matter what Boston does. We’ve averaged 45.3% for the playoffs as a team (45.8% during the regular season), and if we stick to that we’ll do what we’ve been doing these whole playoffs: win. And call me old fashioned, stubborn, etc. but if we win this one because we’re able to dictate the pace for the course of the game, I give us a decent shot of running off three straight and still taking this thing in six, though definitely taking it in at worst seven. If we win tonight, I’m not worried until we’ve actually lost four in this series (even if we lose Game 5).

I gotta be honest I do not know what to think. I thought coming home tied up with Joe D’s birthday and all would be a good reason to win game three. Then to win on Memorial Day would be nice, we are at home, so this also seemed obtainable. I am just tired of the lathargic play out of these guys when we should have the peddle to the metal. I do not care who starts just play some meaningful ball!!!! One title does not mean rafters or even the hall so I want to believe this team will right the ship and get while the gettin’ is good. This W will be about the ZOO CREW. I only hope it starts out positive or it’s back to the Wings(channel surfing). Besides isn’t it like Doc to shoot his load early against us anyway. Game three is probably a game in disguise for the prior. Zoo Crew needs to dominate while we are at home, otherwise this is all moot point. Hug a veteran and God bless to all.

To be honest, the “Zoo Crew,” with the exception of Stuckey, hasn’t done much lately. Maxiell has had some moments (that block on KG was sweet), but overall he hasn’t had the impact I had hoped for. Lindsey has been good in spots, but you can only expect so much from him. Johnson and Afflalo have barely played in the playoffs(except in blowouts); Hayes played poorly in the first few games and hasn’t played at all recently; that, plus not using Hermann, means that every time Tayshaun is resting we’ve played three guards.

I like our bench in that Stuckey and Maxiell obviously have bright futures, and Johnson and Afflalo have the potential to be good NBA players. But right now, the bench, with the exception of Stuckey, isn’t contributing as much as I thought they would. Yes, I understand that rotations get shortened in the playoffs, and no, I didn’t think Johnson or Afflalo would get big minutes. But I thought Maxiell would put up better numbers and that Hayes would contribute some good things in some games.

The only plus is that Boston has an even less productive bench.

Well they play well under a sense of pressure. I expect them to be play with a sense of urgency and win this game. Boston is serious but they have the comfort of knowing they took one in Detroit before heading back to Boston.
The trap defense in the second half should be used from the jump to rattle them. They can hit the outside shot but their best shooter is still a bit inconsistent.

Im a negative dude but even I expect the boys to pull this out tonight.

“Piston Basketball, BACK DOWN THE COURT!”-Mason

Zoo Crew has barely played in this seious. Even A Sherrod commented on how J-Max has played fewer minutes than usual in this series. Even in Game 3 I thought they could have used them. Im sure having Affalo and Amir out there wouldnt hurt if the main cast is struggling.

• Series rather than seious

This game is all about the ZOO CREW. The next two or three will primarily be about the staring six or seven and coaching!

i can harldy belive, that people consider amir an option in this series. kg would eat him alive…

*hardly

I agree jay_ at this point amir could at best be a Tay and that is a l_o_n_g shot and I hope it doesn’t come to that. If so call me blue cause that is what color I’ll be when amir brings us back from 3-1 to KG.

i’d have to say whoever wins this game, wins the series!

Boston still hasn’t proved it can win a close game at home. The closer it is down the stretch. The more the role players (and Garnett) will tighten up.

QD: Any shot of you meeting up w/JD and me?

Let’s hope that Stuckey is really as good as the Pistons top dogs believe he is. He might actually be the MVP of this series so far, he was just terrific in Games 2 and 3. If we’re going to get anywhere in this series, it’s likely going to be on his ability to get in the paint and wreak havoc, because when we’re getting that (from either him or Chauncey), it really makes our offense go.

Now let’s go get one!

I always thought the Pistons would lose one game at home but I thought it was going to be Game 6 but whatever. De-troit Bas-kit-baaalllll!

My pregame analysis: Detroit needs to score more points than Boston or force Boston to score fewer then Detroit in order to win. Play ball!

Michael Wilbon, just now:
“Every time you count on the Pistons,
they let you down.
But every time you count them out…
they make you look BAD.”

@joejoejoe:
“My pregame analysis: Detroit needs to score more points than Boston or force Boston to score fewer then Detroit in order to win. Play ball!”

+1

rock and rollllllll!!!!!

awwwww….timeout already? what a bunch of pussies

Thats the way to start the game!

f*ing refs are not calling fouls for McDyess. Which one of them is betting?

Tayshaun needs to take the fucking ball to the basket. His jumpers are not hitting, he needs to put up some close layups and curls to get his game going. He’s 1-5 by this timeout.

I don’t like this start, they should be playing their game.

Woot woot! stones are alive and its like boston is getting the bad bounces and small errors that plagued us in game 3.

I know almost the entire game is ahead, but based on almost ALL the playoff games across the league this postseason, you’d basically say detroit is going to win this game. Its just the way its been going down, rarely have there been close games or monster comeback wins (of course there were/are exceptions, but it has generally been trading blowouts).

Prince is on the bench? thank god because his shots are awful.

Garbage Hayes.

Billups looks pretty good. I’m hope his hammy stays warm. He’s like an old sportscar. Sometimes it runs great, sometimes it’s in your driveway on jackstands.

This is danger time for us, we have to continue to move the ball and do what’s been effective on offense. The last couple of possessions, we’ve got stagnant on the perimeter. We cannot afford to give possessions away doing that.

And by danger time, I mean not keeping our foot on their throat and letting them back in this thing.

How can anyone not love McDyess? Even if Stuckey has been amazing, the MVP of this series is Dyess. Looking unbelievable tonight, let´s hope they begin whistling the fouls committed on him.

Huh, looks like Jason Maxiell is now the godfather of Garnett’s children…

Play that one in a Gatorade commercial!

Fucking Garbage Hayes. go away.

Those FT, Pistons. We might need them. And what a block by Maxiell!! He is one of the most spectacular blockers in the entire NBA.

Pistons are looking good but the Celtics are pulling a Pistons right now, queitly staying in the game.

That’s disgraceful to end the first quarter. We have GOT to do better than that to close out quarters if we’re going to win this game.

Also, the officiating has been f-ing bullshit to start. But I’m not as angry about that as I am about our letting them back in the game. We should be up by 14.

@Diablo: yeah, from the FT line. Just like we did in Game 1. This is bullshit. I don’t like how Boston’s bench, and Pierce’s play, is fleecing us at the line.

Tay may not be shooting well, HB, fut since he´s been out, the Pistons have lost their rythm, in large part because Hayes has looked awful. Not playing for so long has taken a toll on him.

Thats all I am looking for 20+ points to start the game.

What is it with the Celtics flirting with Michelle? lol KG did the same in Game 1. They finna run a train….

Save the kids Babies are being dined on!

Good lineup on the floor right now. When Rondo isn´t on the floor, this squad forces many Boston turnovers.

Maxiell is eating whatever is in his way.

Again, Maxiell is eating whatever is in his way.

Maxiell will kick you in the throat!

This in an infant genocide by Jason Maxiell

He is so Creul :( !!!!

Maxiell’s having a dinner party and KG’s kids are invited.

I still think they should stick to their game. This flash stuff just isn’t them.

I really like what we´re seeing right now. Stuckey is more than anyone hoped for, Maxiell is pumped, armed and dangerous, Sheed has finally decided to dominate and bam, is he accomplishing that! And Tay and Hunter are leading the ship.

Tayshaun has to make those shots.

[Celtics huddle]
Doc: Did you see Michelle Tafoya tonight?
Garnett: Ahhh…Coach…do you have a play?
Doc: Run Ubuntu.
Pierce: Coach, that’s a spirit, not a play.
Cassell: How about I shoot a three?
Pierce: Shut up.
Doc: Boy does Michelle look good.
Pierce: We got it coach, thanks.
Doc: OK! Tafoya…I mean Ubuntu on three!

god damn Prince missed again.

he needs to attack more if he’s not making his shots. Doesn’t he know that?

A bit disappointed that nearly all of Tay´s shots are circling the rim and coming out. Good looks, and his look of concentration means he´s really trying, but it´s just not going in. Let´s see if a dunk or a layup don´t make other buckets easier.

Perkins is a pretty good lunch bucket player. He gained my respect in this series.

LawyerBoy insisted Detroit doesn´t need to outrebound Boston to win, and I agree. But they need to limit offensive rebounds. I think comparatively, the Celtics´s turnovers hurt them less than giving up offensive boards hurts the Pistons.

There are a lot of sad baby-less mothers out there in the world tonight.

Pistons messing up to close the half. Gotta pick it up in the 3rd

Let´s not relapse into those defensive blown assignments that leave the paint wide open, Pistons.

Rubbish

Not a good way to end the half. We should be up 10.

So after all that, all we have is a measley 2 bucket lead?

Flip needs to shit Prince for the rest of the game. He is making shits.

The referees aren´t doing a good job. They´re not favouring Boston, but they´re missing fouls, and giving the ball to the wrong team. There´s no way a Boston player didn´t touch it on that last Tay possession.

Mahorn made a comment about Crawford “helping out” Boston and getting them back into the game.

I hate what we’re doing. It doesn’t matter how well we play in minutes 1-9 in the quarter if we’re going to let them close on 8-0 runs in the last 3 minutes. I’m as angry at this team as I’ve ever been. It’s inexcusable in an absolute drop dead must win game (that we’re otherwise dominating!).

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

i’ll take a measly 2 bucket lead over a case of the hiv, so really its pretty good when you put it in perspective.

I wish Jon Berry would shut his f’ing mouth. I am so sick of him being “on” whichever team won last.

I like the energy the bench has brought so far and hope to see more fresh babies consumed. Dyess is the man, Sheed has come to play and the D is there. We’ll be fine in the 2nd half, we have no other choice.

It’s not looking really good. Billups, Rip, and Prince are all struggling mightly. It’s only Sheed and Dice playing out there, along with The Brahma Bull.

Is this finally going to be the 3rd we need to coast home with a W?

joe cubed…great Celtic huddle post ruined by giving a tiny amount of praise to “Perk.”

More of the former please…

Jon Barry says the Pistons should be “dejected” with their four-point lead. That observation is Webberesque in its ignorance.

yeah i can’t give any more support to the angry turkey (perkins) than I can to sideshow (vare-pendejo).. there are certain lines of prejudice one must never let go of.

+1 pinon for angry turkey

17-20 from the line for Boston. I’ll take the aggressive D and the chances at the line.

I dont normally say nothing about the refs….but Stern gave them the memo.

No jvg, that should have been an offensive foul on rr

Just as a side note Wings are up by a Stuckey

Ridiculous loose ball foul. And an awful mental mistake by sheed. I’m so frustrated. We should be up 15.

The defense is good. Tay is stepping up. But those fouls could get costly, and they´re ridiculous.

Where my conspiracy theorists at!?

Man fuck these refs they have been awful all night.

There really trying to see Boston in the finals.

That after the whistle bullshit by kg needs to be a t also

U know if Sheed knocked the ball away like that it would be a T!

I freaking love Antonio McDyess.

And why the heck didnt Flip put Jason Maxiell in after Sheed got his 4th? Did he not put the energy in?

Jon Barry is a Pistons hater. I’m not sure if it’s because he wasn’t resigned for their championship year or what. Barry played on 8 teams so I’m doubting he’s the most lovable guy in the world. The only Barry I like is Barry White.

Dyess rocks my boat. And I´m loving what Stuckey brings to the table defensively. He rebounds without fear. If the referees let the game be decided by the players, Detroit will be fine.

We deserve to be about 10 fta behind, not this absurd margin

Jon Barry is a lot of things. A Pistons hater he is not. What he said is what most fans are feeling.

Most of us are pistons haters too :)

Billups isn´t having a good night, but in this third quarter, he´s done a better job on defense, and he´s pestering Boston´s bench players with his savvy. He wants the win, and that´s the first time in a while his heart is what´s out there contributing to the team. Kudos, Chauncey.

Prophecy_Projectz – No professional athlete should be “dejected” during a game. This isn’t peewees. Part of being a pro is not putting yourself on an emotional roller coaster and working thru your troubles.

Well Im sure Detroit must have felt a little annoyed they let he lead dwindle. Although in retrospect, some these calls by the refs have been slightly questionable. They let em play early on and then flipped it a little and called every small foul

Does anyone think this is a good way to officiate a conference final?

Not really

I like the way Ratliff has been playing for this team. And he made both free throws. That foul was dumb, though.

Posey, I officially hate you.

Detroit have to come out agressive this last quarter

"A lot of them cats are felonious, man." – Rasheed Wallace

Quite simply, if it doesn’t end up a Lakers and Celtics final, the officials haven’t been reading their e-mails.

Still think Maxiell should have gotten more playing time…

rule for 4th quarter: billups not allowed to shoot. give it to rip, sheed, or dice

Team NBA sure is getting the love from the refs.

I think we’ve seen the last of Theo tonight. More Max in the 4th is what Flip should be doing.

the announcers had a good point about why ratliff is in and not maxiell. with the foul issues, putting ratliff on garnett was better than max. its a tough choice but maybe we’ll see max in the 4th..

FT Attempts 33-15, Boston. The Pistons are getting raw deal by the refs here.

I love the replays of Flip, well, Flipping out! Ha ha ha! Kicking the ad board next to the bench = awesome!

Max with a quick hustle play to start the Q.

Respect to flip for calling this officiating what it is…have to take the fine when they call a stinker like this

Refs are betting. no call at all for Stuckey.

I don’t hate a ton of players but I hate Posey. I hate that crapy grin and that two tone mouthpiece. He’s dirty. I hated him in Miami and I hate him in Boston.

Tim I am part of the Posey hater club. Ditto to your comments.

Everyone hates Posey

But gawd-dang@ the foul trouble.

I don’t think maxiell would be afraid if jack bauer were torturing him

I think Flip identified how the refs were calling the game and went to a bigger rotation because of all the foul trouble. It’s a decent move.

Babies!

Babies!!!

Ya I like the move as well and look at Max now

WOOOOOOOOO MAX!
just like we all wanted
more max in the 4th.

amir’s time is soon….

Maxiell, that was huge!

Jason MF Maxiell!

The Celts are approximately +20 in FTA tonight. Insane.

Mothers, hide your kids… Max is out tonight trolling for delicious babies!!!

JESUS, how many babies did Maxiell ate before the game? He’s on some kind of high.

Dear boston:

Lick my nuts

FACT: Conference Finals babies are 50% more delicious than 2nd round babies.

How is Perkins getting away with all the bumps and off-arms? Of course, another foul on the Pistons. Surprise, surprise.

That’s a bullshit call against Hunter. This is ridiculous.

The crowd is in this game. It’s easy to get the crowd into the game when they think the refs are in the tank for the opposition.

The officiating if officially shady tonight. How did that ball not go off Rondo?

“Other Matt” I’ve been saying all night that the refs are betting on this game.

Dear Boston:

Lick Forty’s nuts.

I thought the loose ball was off dice. But the hunter foul and the loose ball foul on our defensive end were silly. We have gotten very few 50/50 calls tonight.

Fortunately for us and true basketball fans, Detroit wants it and keeps going after the ball even though the referees are trying to make them lower their intensity. Tonight, there´s no stopping Maxiell, Dyess, Stuckey and Rip!

Nice call with 3 Doors Down on the lead in music. Off the new album, too. Welcome to 2008.

Maybe so but the officiating doesn’t bode well for the c’s in the next game.

This game is taking years off my life.

Is it me, or are there at least 3 celtics on the offensive boards on every shot?

Protect the boards, Pistons.

I would have thought the refs would give the Celts even more calls at home

It is time for some Sheed action.

Nice drive and dish from Rip but ‘Dyess couldn’t knock down the shot. I like how the team is relying on each other tonight. When Detroit plays together and ’Dyess is on they almost never lose.

The officiating is so bad Tay even has 4 fouls, and I cannot remember the last time he was in anything anywhere near foul trouble.

Celtics have the larger stronger lineup so of course there gonna get the boards.

This is gonna be a tough one. Down in the free throw opportunites and Billups and Sheed on the bench, its gonna be hard to hold on to this, but they gotta do it somehow.

Crawford looking like the x factor

WOOOOOOOOO.

Perkins being gone is HUGE. He’s been a monster creating space and bumping people under the boards.

Co-sign JVG on the Any Given Sunday speedh

Perkinsisouttagoodriddance

Angry turkey!

Smooth!

Chauncey sighting!

about damn time Billups made that 3

Whoooooo

does the Ric Flair Strut

Why was prince upset with billups? Did he blow a defensive rotation? The shot looked like a reasonable decision (and u usually don’t criticize your best player when they go in…)

Good execution by the team down the stretch. That´s one of the major reasons we love them so. Chauncey, that was big.

+1 for making me laugh out loud at the thought of Ric Flair.

That Heineken has got to be warm as hell when it hits that last guy.

Welcome to the game Chauncey!

Kg hitting a clutch shot…to what do we owe the honor

And good call on the dice block

that motherfucking ref is betting on this game.

That was an atrocious call against Dyess.

Perkins fouled out? How does one guy get all of Bostons six fouls?

Ball Dont lie Jesus!

That’s the kg I’m used to inside 5 mins in the 4th

Van Grundy should shut the fuck up. Hasn’t he wondered why he is not a coach yet?

Friggin Ball Game!

Yesssir!!!!

[Celtics huddle]
Doc: Is that a peach outfit? What color would you say Michelle Tafoya is wearing?
Garnett: Coach, any plan for these last few seconds? Foul? Threes?
Cassell: I vote for threes. I’ll take them.
Pierce: Shut up.
Doc: Run double Ubuntu.
Pierce: Thanks coach.

Rip is not taking prisoners tonight!

THAT is what I’m talking about to close out quarters, or in this case the game.

Absolutely huge night for the D. This is a really really gutty effort by our guys. Everything going against us tonight and we hung tough and pulled this one out. Flip extended the bench, Chauncey might not have had a good game, but I thought he made good decisions for the most part and quarterbacked us pretty well.

And Antonio McDyess, he gets his own paragraph. Freaking monster effort for him. I love that guy. Probably his best game as a Piston and we needed every ounce of his effort. Okay, I’m officially gushing.

Kudos all around.

And he put Amir in

You happy now douchebags? lol

How do u almost give away a 19 point win?

lol@ this game getting busted in the final seconds.

Co-sign on what Mark Jackson said. Will they play with urgency in Game 5?

That was a great game. Now go win two in a row! GO PISTONS.

If they know what’s good for them, they’ll win the next one, too. Get this over with . . . I am reduced to grunts and shrieks.

Forty
May 26th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
How do u almost give away a 19 point win?

Same thing nearly happened on Saturday if you think about it with Boston

I rode Antonio in the past. Tonight, I salute him. He could have had that game against anybody in the league. Good for him.

McDyess had 21 and 16, including 7 of our 9 offensive boards. Ridiculous.

Had to follow the game online. I hope there’s more where that came from.

Great win, only because we finished the game strong. We still need alot of adjustments to make before game 5, like for example trying to find Chauncey’s and Tayshuan’s offensive games. I’m expecting Boston to out swinging next game and I hope the Pistons expect the same thing as well.

Also, Mcdyess….what more can I say, the man played possessed.

I just have to say it is alot of fun when we challenge the opposing team. We are so deep we can foul at will and never let them get into a rythm, kind of like a phil jackson. I like Flip’s moves this post season. Still prefer better out of timeouts but hey give the coaches credit.

Oh, and by the way, 42.7% of Boston’s points came from the foul line tonight. There are no words to describe how awful the officiating was, this is the freaking Conference Finals, not the pre-season.

Yeah the offciating was silly tonight. I will get on flip for playing jarvis…everytime he has to guard pierce it will be a foul. Not only is jarvis garbage in general, but this is maybe the worst conceivable team to play him against (other than the cavs)

I’m going to get on my NBA Live game and set up a team of five McDyesses. That team will dominate the league.

Detroit recap – Detroit basketball – 7 turnovers, 7 steals, 10 blocks. McDyess was the best player on the floor. Rip had 20 pts with an eFG% of 83.3% and 7 assists with only 2 TO. ’Sheed was the ’Sheed we all love and +23 in 32 minutes. Prince held Pierce to 3-14 shooting from the field. Billups has 7 asts. and zero TO. Many babies were eaten.

Well done stones! You have made my day so much better. I really wish I could have watched this one but my net has been shaped :(
I’m there in spirit.

Something really interesting that I have no idea about, but Detroit has scored 2 more points than Boston for overall combined victory margin. I think Hollinger had some crap statistic about this. Anyone know or got any ideas about what this means?

6 more wins!

Just got back from the game. Wonderfully, surprisingly, the Palace was loud and proud tonight. They were in it from the tip on. Sure there a few lulls, but that is to be expected. For the most part, the crowd was A+ tonight.

Dice was the man.
The officials were crazy.
Max was on fire.
Sheed was good all around and great on defense with aggressive coverages and quick rotations.
Prince was largely quiet, but I attribute Pierce’s “no show” in no small part to him.
Stuckey was great too.
Even C-Bills made a brief showing.

A great, great win. Whoever wins game 5 will almost certainly win the series, so the next game is THE BIG ONE.

That was the closest, nail-biting-est 19 point victory ever. The margin should have been about that the whole game but for some — yes I’ll agree — bad reffing. I didn’t complain about the refs in any of the Pistons losses in the playoffs (or the regular season, as far as I can remember) and it seems odd to complain about that after a win, but jeez. As Flip said after the game, they called a bunch of ticky-tack fouls on Detroit of the sort they haven’t been calling the rest of the series, AND they weren’t calling them both ways (including potential techs on Boston), AND they missed a couple of basic “whose ball is it?” calls. The discrepancy in FT attempts, especially after 3 quarters, was, well, felonious.

But Detroit survived and didn’t melt down. I actually liked the tech on Flip, sticking up for his guys. Massive props, of course, to McDyess and Maxiell (and yeah, I said upthread before the game started that I was expecting a bit more from him — obviously, that must have inspired him), and also to Rip, who was 8-10 from the field. In fact, all the Pistons that got significant minutes not named Tayshaun had very good shooting nights. And Tay can say he helped limit Pierce to 16 points on a ridiculously low FG%.

For game 5: keep the defensive intensity and hope the FTs are more even; don’t be afraid to use the bench, Stuckey and Maxiell obviously, but I don’t mind putting Theo and Jarvis in for a few minutes just to see what they can do (Hayes’s airball three and foul didn’t inspire confidence, but hey, he hit a meaningless 3 at the end); Chauncey has to make even more progress on figuring out what he can and can’t do; and Detroit must contain the Celtic “role” players (oddly, 5 Celtics were in double figures, and the two that weren’t the Big Three had better shooting nights, percentage wise).

Boston, of course, has to feel like they accomplished their objective of getting a split and regaining home court advantage, and also that they were in this game with under 4 minutes left despite shooting really, really badly. So now it’s a 3 game series with Boston having home court advantage, but then again, home teams are 2-2 in this series so far.

Good win tonight. Obviously, there’s no reason that the Pistons can’t take this series. I’m impressed that they are looking this good with Billups not being healthy.

I just watched McDyess in his post-game presser on NBA.com. Seriously that guy is all heart. He actually made me well up a bit. I hope we win the whole thing just for him.

I’m with Tim — McDyess gave a great, heartfelt interview after the game. Nothing too sappy, but very sincere and not at all canned. He really seems like a genuinely good guy.

Alright gawdemmit. Let’s make Wednesday’s game the last one of the season at the Boston Gardens. Oh I’m sorry. The TD Banknorth Garden.

Sorry, LB and JD. Saw your posts after I’d already made plans.

McDyess looked like Ben Wallace with a jump shot today.

Great D all around. THIS is Piston basketball.

Chauncey’s still off but played hard.

For the most part, I thought this series has been officiated well, but this one was pretty bad.

Would have much rather seen Afflalo off the bench and not Jarvis. If Afflalo’s airballs a shot, he works that much harder on D.

Nobody seemed to care when I said rebounds don’t matter and the only things that matter are our FG% and TO differential. Well, we got out-rebounded AGAIN (that makes 3 of 4 with Game 1 being 37 boards each) and we won with ease because we protected the ball and shot well. Look, as close as it got, it never got closer than 4. That game was in the bag from the moment we went up 10-0 on Boston. The only thing making it seem close was the aforementioned felonious officiating.

Only in the back half of the 4th did we start getting any fairness in foul calls. Nonetheless, good teams playing well win in spite of officiating. Bad officiating is a convenient excuse for a team that just couldn’t get it done. Yes, we should have won by 25 or so, but we rose above the officiating and won and that’s what matters most.

Antonio McDyess is a yeoman. Been said all over the thread but I too, must applaud his Herculean effort.

Had we gone with Mike’s suggestion and traded Maxiell, then we wouldn’t be treated to encore performances of that block on Garnett or that whole perfect from the field thing he did tonight. Suffice to say, Mike gets the award for worst insight on DBB this week.

Gotta disagree with Dash Rick on the importance of Game 5 though. If we win it, great (and I most certainly think we can). If we lose it, fine. We were down 3-2 to Miami back in ‘04-’05 and that turned out just fine. I’d much rather play a road Game 7 against these loose-cannon, Doc Rivers-coached Celtics with our current squad than a road Game 7 against that Heat team with the squad we had in ‘04-’05.

If you build it they will come. If we shoot well and protect the ball we will win. Our best is better than their best, period. Let’s just watch our boys prove to us that they can play their best 2 more times in this series.

Oh, and I love how the announcer always exclaims, “Maxiell with a jumper!” as if all he can do is dunk.

Am I the only one on this site that thinks Maxiell is a more impressive athlete than Amir? He an explosive leaper AND he’s strong as an ox.

That block he had earlier in the year against Tyson Chandler was freakish.

I’ll hop on the Amir bandwagon when he puts on 10 more lbs of muscle.

Watching the replay now. Is it me or does Hunter have at least one more year of ball in him (in a limited capacity of course)? I agree with the sentiment that the Pistons best is better than the C’s…and that goes for the Lakers and Spurs also. It’s just about getting that in at least 6 of the next 10 games. I really believe they’re the best team left standing…when they want to be.

If I was Maxiell… I’d have Amir’s salary on my mind-the two’s earnings should be switched.

Maxiell has a resigned, prideful sense of confidence – like a kid who gets solid B’s and C’s in school and knows he is not the smartest – but is okay with that – hes going to go out and give it his best – that normally means a few blocks, rebounds, and hopefully 6-12 points. He’s going to succeed, thats the important, reliable thing.

I’d love to see him evolve his game more becoming reliable with the jump shot (this year has been great) – but I’m not expecting he’ll average 10/10 next year – as great at that would be.

Amir on the other hand just seems like a kid out there-you can read his body language like a book-he needs more time before/if hes going to be a factor. Stuckey passed him by in ‘court maturity’ in about a quarter of the time Amir has been around..

Some milestones:

- Rip breaks team record for most playoff games.

- Lawyerboy becomes youngest blogger to reach 1000 posts (sure half of posts are typo corrections, but he has his share of long ones to even it out).

I hate Boston so much.

As for the booing in Game 3, it was absolutely appropriate. These are millionaires who are paid to entertain. What took place in Game 3 was gut-wrenching beyond any normal ‘bad game.’ I don’t think anyone remembers guys like Leon the Barber. That guy would verbally murder anyone, even on the Pistons. Whoever wanted to turn professional sport into Disneyland, well, fuck you. I spit at thee.

There’s a handful of exceptions to that “no-boo” . . .

Cheerleaders are paid to cheer.

I’d probably look down upon John Mason joining in on that action.

I guess I just skimmed your posts. My Bag – QD. My sincerest apology. The comments should’ve been directed at LawyerBoy post which was misread. "QD: I think most of us realize that Celtics fans in general (Bob Day & BleedGreen617 and I’m sure many more respectfully excluded) are uninformed, loudmouth, indignant douchebags." As any other city there are fans (that Bibby was referring to) and there are real fans. This city has been spoiled with success of the Patriots and Sox that there are now bandwagoners at the Garden. But “most” of the fans regardless of the team are just Boston team supports. The chants are usually accurate. I’ve been to about 20 something games in the Garden and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce don’t get the level respect that Rip and CB do with the calls. PP should be at the line probably 15-20 times a game if he got the calls that Rip and CB did. I don’t understand that. There have been many questionable calls that you guys don’t see if you are watching the game on ESPN, TNT or ABC. On our CSNE channel, the homers show what the fans see hence their reaction and smart@ss chants. However that being said, I think there is about 30% of the crowd who don’t have a clue and just goes along since they are already drunk. Many of the cruel chants come from the Sox fans practicing on the Yanks for all these years. However most fans at the Garden are season ticket holders like 4 of my friends and know their basketball and the legacy.
 
As far as the chants – I’m one of those chanters. I’m also one of the guys usually in Miami teasing the Dolphin fans to “puff puff pass” if they are wearing a Ricky Williams jersey. Conclusion: the point is for home court to back your team 100%, and if you can get in to the head of some players, why not (see Mike Bibby)? Also – most of us have a life, and do it for jest, but I cannot defend the (minority) Robert Dinero-ish FAN fans.
 
I’d figured that Dr. Jekyll with show up yesterday; however I’m more confident now that this will go to game 7 since Detroit couldn’t put away the Cs for the most part of the game. Pistons were very very physical – big props – which basically took Cs out of the game by forcing them to take free throws and not get in to a rhythm. Every flashing man got nailed, and noone was allowed to penetrate without bruises. I expect a double digit win and a big game from KG and Rondo next game. RR is due for a big game.
 
Final note: It is so apparent that the team that gets to move the ball to the weak side wins these games, since both teams’ strong side D are tough. Too much pounding and dribbling the ball from the Green. Cs got complacent again – however still were in it.

A double digit win, BleedGreen617? Dream on. Next games are going to be hard-fought.

The Cs, a little similar to Pistons, who play their best game when they are desperate. Now the pressure is on them to win. Rondo has at least one great game in a series where he doesn’t think too much but just attacks. However, he only does it one game. The last regular game vs Detroit at the Garden, he completely attacked a healthy CB, and just was blowing by Billups. That was the up-fake foul on "m.i.a" Tony Allen game. I just have a feeling that Rondo will be aggressive with the crowd behind him and the murmurings of losing more minutes to Sam I Am.

Expect a better defensive effort on rotation to the weak side (McDyess won’t get that many open looks the next game). I just see adjustments being made and an urgency not to be behind a series. I’ve watched this team and even though they are one more season from being a dominating title contender for the East – they play well when they need to.

I expect at least a 12 point win. Game 5 Cs – Game 6 is all Detroit. Still think Detroit will win a tight one in Game 7 unless Mr Hyde shows up.

BleedGreen: Some good insights. I too expect RR to have a good game before this thing is up. But I expect, perhaps irrationally, Chauncey to do the same. Personally, I like the fact that Dice will likely not get the same casual defensive treatment that he has to this point. That should serve to free up the offense for one of the others. This is what makes the Pistons dangerous. Or, perhaps more correctly, its SUPPOSED to make them dangerous, as the rest of the starters can have a blow-up game on any given night. (Provided, of course, they don’t corporately lay an egg, ala game 3.) If the extra defense on Dice opens up the offense for someone else who steps up, then we’ll be in a very good position. Stuckey has also, like Dice, stepped up and proven to be an x-factor requiring more defensive attention than originally thought. The more these guys (and Max too, for that matter) require defensive attention, the better. We just need CB, RH, RW, or TP or, preferably, a combination thereof to have a great game. And that shouldn’t be too much to ask. Should it? We hope not.

The next game will be close. Within 8 points, and probably less. I am sticking to my position that whoever takes the next game takes the series.

So I’ve got:

Game 5: Pistons in a close one
Game 6: Pistons in a blowout OR Boston in a close one
Game 7: (if necessary): Pistons in a close one

Crazy? Maybe, but its my prediction nonetheless.

And, as a post-script, though this will almost certainly get me into trouble in some circles, if Boston wins this series, then I want them to take it all. I hate the Spurs. I hate the Lakers. And, gulp, I’m a closet-appreciator of KG. But without question, unequivocally I say:

Pistons in 6! (or 7).

@Dash Rick – I would agree with you but if CB were 100%. CB is gutting it out but I see this going 7. Healthy Mr Big Shot, and I would concede at 6. I just wish RR would use the same athleticsm that he used dunking on MS on CB or Rip. http://youtube.com/watch?v=8CPgW2uGar8

I too DESPISE the LAKERS! Can’t be a Celtics fan and like Lakers even though I must begrudgingly admit Kobe deserved MVP this year.