Hopefully Detroit employs the “no layups allowed” rule. Game 5 is about to tip off — leave your in-game comments here. After each quarter (or whenever something remarkable occurs), Matt and I will post our own observations below.
Matt:
Pre-game: Before we kick things off, remember this Game 5? Because I do.
Are you one of those disenchanted fants who believe the Pistons are playing their last game tonight? Then hurry up and put your money where your mouth is: you can get Heat +5.5 from your favorite online sportsbook. Personally, I think it’s a fool’s bet — I’m predicting a double-digit win by Detroit.
Ian:
A couple items of note before we kick things off:
1) I didn’t realize that Chauncey was having as good a series as he is. 20+ points and shooting in the mid-40s; no one can fault Big Shot.
2) I expect a Piston win (because I’m a homer), but if all the whining is indicative of how painful this season has been for the players, then I guess I wouldn’t be surprised to see them roll over tonight. If you’d have asked me a week ago, I’d say there’s no chance of it happening, but I just don’t recognize the Boys in Blue these days. They’re like a whole team of Benoit Benjamins out there.
3) Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” to kick off tonight’s broadcast. I guess that’s better than “Free Fallin.’ ”
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1st Quarter
11:45 — Jason Williams takes (and bricks) the Heat’s first shot of the night. We’ll take that all…freakin’…night.
10:40 — Rip Hamilton is struggling. I don’t know that we can afford for him to be shooting his way out of the slump tonight.
8:16 — Ben is shooting the lowest post-season percentage from the free-throw line…ever. And he promptly splits the pair. We’ll take it.
7:47 — Ben with the volleyball block! That’s been missing all series long (only his second of the series, according to ESPN).
7:16 — Sheed with the beautiful running hook, and the Heat call timeout on the other end of the floor. The Boys in Blue are playing with a purpose tonight. If they can sustain it, then those that took Matt’s advice earlier (take Pistons, -5.5) are in for a fun night. Not that we condone gambling (Pistons to win the series could be a moneymaker too.)
“We’re not good enough to win it with one or two guys, ” says Chauncey. I’m glad someone finally said it.
5:58 — Ben EFFING Wallace drives on Shaq, draws the second Kazaam hack, and gets the And 1. And just like that, his anti-Flip bitchfest is temporarily forgiven.
4:40 — Alright, after four failed drives and zero fouls called, Rip needs to realize that he isn’t going to get that call tonight. It is time to rotate the ball and find the open man. He’s starting to look like Lindsey out there.
2:11 — Tay drives and dunks over Alonzo Mourning (aka, the Devil’s Deputy). And 1. Afterwards, Sheed makes sure to laugh in his face…up close. It’s all smiles out there if you’re in Piston white. Meanwhile, Zo is not a happy man. “What?” you say. “Zo bitching like a schoolgirl?” It’s just like old times up in here.
1:36 — One of the worse fouls I’ve seen this series, Antonio McDyess gets whistled for executing a perfect step out on Wade after the pick bumped off Lindsey.
0:12 — And now, Lindsey blocks Haslem’s shot cleanly resulting in…a foul, of course. “Joey Crawford was right on top of that one,” says Hubie. Uh huh. Haslem bricks both. (What was that phrase they used to use waaay back when the Pistons weren’t losing 6 of 9, “ball don’t lie?” Yeah, that’s it.)
End of Q1 with the Pistons leading 25-20, Shaq in foul trouble, and the Pistons without a turnover. Miami has to feel pretty fortunate at this point to only be down 5, and the Pistons have to feel pretty good about their return to respectability. I’m going to turn things over to Matt for Q2, and I’ll be back for the third.
Matt:
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2nd Quarter
How big is the fact that the Pistons won the first quarter? As we mentioned earlier this week, the winner of the first quarter has gone on to win the game in each of the first four games so far.
9:48 — Ugly turnover by McDyess, but it’s the Pistons’ first of the night. Miami, by the way, already has four.
9:17 — Lindsey Hunter and his pitbull defense forces Dwyane Wade to call a timeout to avoid the eight-second violation. The Heat inbound but can’t find the bucket, and then procede to allow Rip Hamilton to score in transition. Things are going well for Detroit right now.
8:08 — McDyess wide open for the reverse jam!
6:42 — Dwyane Wade gets called for the reach-in on Lindsey Hunter. How’s that medicine taste, Wade? You better like it, because its yours.
5:57 — Sheed lofts up an ultra soft jumper in the paint that hits the front of the rim — scared of Mr. O’Neal, are ya Sheed? Jason “White Chocolate” Williams get the rebound and sets up the long fast break pass to Wade, who slams it home. Good thing the game is at the Palace — that would have been enough to wake up even the sleepy celebrities at AAA.
Aw man, Ian just IM’d to say McDyess was holding his wrist as he left the court — looks like he may have hurt his wrist on the reverse jam.
Did Chuck Daly just say that Pat Riley “may even be better looking” than when they squared off in the Bad Boys days? I don’t even want to check my DVR to find out.
4:02 — Chauncey Billups finds Ben Wallace splitting the middle for a big jam. At least something seems to be working against that damn 2-3 zone.
2:55 — The Pistons are just too slow getting their offense going. Chauncey doesn’t get it to Sheed until three seconds are left on the 24. Sheed drains the turnaround jumper… but not before the buzzer goes off. Would have been pretty were they a second or two faster. Pistons leading by just two.
2:17 — A Rip Hamilton miss turns into a Dwyane Wade fastbreak — Heat up by one: 40-39. Luckily before I can even describe Wade’s dunk, the Pistons score four quick points to regain a three-point lead.
0:50-ish — Tay drives the lane for a pretty floater… well, it would have been pretty had he not immediately complained to the ref looking for the And 1. Tay: players play, refs ref, don’t even think about a foul until you hear a whistle.
0:00.8 — Chauncey holds it for the final shot of the half, splitting the lane for a left-handed layup. Pistons up, 47-43.
Sideline reporter Jim Gray asks Rip Hamilton as he’s leaving the court if he’s disappointed the Pistons are only up four after leading by as much as 11 — leave it to Gray to try to bring a guy down. (I know, I know, it’s a simple question, but when he’s not busy sniffing Kobe’s crotch, he’s raining on someone’s parade. I don’t even like Pete Rose and I’ll never forgive Gray.)
I don’t know what I’m more happy about — Shaq entering halftime with three fouls, or Rasheed and Ben with none? With Detroit’s big men free to play physical for the entire second half, it’ll be more difficult for Dwyane Wade to unleash his usual fury. (Oh, believe me, I know some fury will be unleashed, but at this rate, perhaps not the full dose.)
Chauncey has just five points, but he’s driving the Pistons with seven assists and no turnovers. Tay is hot with 15 points on 6-10 shooting, but Sheed (four points, two boards) still needs to step up. And how ’bout Rip Hamilton? 14 points and seven boards.
OK, that’s all from me until the fourth — back to Ian.
Ian:
Before we get started with the second half, I’m going to take a different stance than Tim Legler and my esteemed colleague (Matt). Rip, I like the 7 boards, but the 14 points on 14 shots and the 1/3 assist to turnover ratio is nothing to be proud of. He needs to tighten up his game, and quick.
Also, it’ll be interesting to see who comes out as the first big off the bench for the Pistons. Dyess didn’t look too good after banging his wrist on that reverse dunk early in the second. Who knows though, maybe that’s what he needed to straighten out his errant (as of late) jumper.
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3rd Quarter
11:27 — Sheed sinks the first shot of the second half and then promptly gives up the ‘And 1′ to Kazaam on the other end. The Boys need to get Shaq’s fourth foul out of the way now.
10:41 — Unnecessary alley-oop toss to Ben leads to a turnover. Luckily the Heat give it right back on the other end. BTW, Hubie says that Ben has “small hands” — I’m going to leave that one alone for now.
9:21 — Rip Hamilton needs to shut the hell up. Technical foul on Rip; get the hell out of the game. Sometimes I don’t understand why the hell this team feels it necessary to whine so much. It makes them extremely unlikeable to those non-Detroit fans.
9:08 — Douchebag Derek Jeter apparently has a mancrush on Dwyane Wade. Yet another reason to hate the guy.
8:28 — Ben Wallace makes Shaq into his bitch. He cups the dunk attempt, forces the jump ball, and then wins the tip. Wow. Matt just IM’d me: “small hands, my ass.”
Lost in the excitement of that absolutely amazing turn of events was a great point by Hubie Brown. DWade, Rip, et al need to shut up when it comes to the refs. They have called this game consistently from the beginning; it is up to the players to adjust.
7:15 — Ben with the monster dunk, And 1 — and HE HITS THE FREE THROW! Apparently the fro is not needed tonight.
6:31 — Rip grabs his eighth board on the offensive end and sticks the put-back jumper. This, is Deeetroit Basketball!
4:01 — After some back and forth, Chauncey finally drills the jumper from the corner with his toes on the line. Pistons are currently up 6, but it’d be nice to get that fourth on Shaq, who has thus far managed to avoid being called despite swinging his ass around like a wrecking ball. The pace of the game right now favors Detroit if they can stay under control — Ben can beat Shaq down the court at will, and the fast break opportunities have been there for him as a result.
3:33 — The downside to the aggressive doubling on Wade and the challenging of Miami shots is that Haslem is getting free for the o-boards. It is a tradeoff that has thus far been well worth it.
2:00-ish — Lindsey comes down and jacks up the disgusting 3 with waaay too much time left on the clock. The only reason he isn’t getting a Code Red in the lockerroom is that Dyess managed to grab the carem and kick to Tay Tay for a trifecta, the Pistons’ first of the game (now 1-10).
1:14 — Udonis looks like someone…I’m thinking Sheryl Swoops, or one of those other WNBA players with Predator-style braids.
0:52 — Jim Gray says nothing worth listening too. He makes me wish Reggie Miller’s big sis was reporting from the sidelines tonight. That’s no compliment to Jim, trust me.
0:15 — Dyess hits a jumper, and the new pregame tradition will be to bash him about the wrists with blunt objects; apparently it helps.
End of Q3, and the Pistons have managed to double their halftime lead. If they continue to play tight D and take care of the ball, they should be able to grind this one to a halt. By the way, you know those guys who, when playing pickup football, dive for balls that are clearly within reach? — or outfielders who jump for fly balls even though they are chest high? Dwyane Wade is the equivalent on the basketball court — a great player, no doubt. But methinks he tries to make it look harder than it is. Back to Matt to bring home the W. I’ll have some thoughts postgame.
Matt:
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4th Quarter
OK, start of the Dwyane Wade quarter, er, the fourth quarter.
10:45 — Walker to Shaq for the alley-oop. The Heat open the fourth with four quick points, Detroit still up 71-69.
8:52 — Mr. 4th coughs up the turnover — “only” four for Wade on the night. I wouldn’t mind seeing two or three more of those the rest of the way, just enough for people to notice and talk about when they describe what was different when Detroit pulls out the win.
7:15 — McDyess hits from his usual spot on the wing — he’s scored 10 points in 15 minutes on 5-5 shooting. You gotta love that guy.
6:56 — Ben sends Wade to the line, where he misses both shots. It was only Ben’s second foul of the game — the fact he stayed clean for the first three quarters is really helping out now.
6:23 — Antoine Walker followed a Chauncey airball with an offensive foul, clearing with his off arm while driving to the basket. Oh, that’s illegal? Could someone make sure LeBron James gets the memo?
5:54 — Wade takes an extra step (and is actually called for it) — that’s another turnover! I couldn’t have scripted it any better.
4:56 — Wade just banks in a two, hitting the glass well above the painted square. Maybe it’s me, but I really think this guy might have a feel for the game. Pistons up by three, 79-76…
4:27 — … until Tay hits a three! Big, big play. Pistons up six with less than five to play.
3:28 — Shaq finally hits after Miami gobbles up approximately 38 offensive boards on this possession. Detroit needs to hit the boards, the game is too tight to give up so many second (and third, and fourth, and fifth) chances.
3:26 — Gary Payton commits the Heat’s fourth team foul on Chauncey, giving Flip the chance to pull Ben for McDyess. No Hack-A-Ben tonight, Riles.
3:10 — Rasheed actually hits a pair of foul shots… on the same trip to the line, no less. He’s been marginally better than Ben this postseason. (OK, better than “marginal,” but not much better than 50/50)
2:50 — On the other end, Shaq misses both of his free throws. Mike Breen says Miami is 6-for-18 from the stripe tonight. Nice. Very nice.
2:16 — With Ben out of the game, the (increasingly desperate) Heat turn to the Hack-a-McDyess strategy… except he makes them both. Detroit up nine, 87-78. Should have worked on paper — Antonio was a 50-something percent shooter in the regular season, but karma was on his side — no one wants to see that ugly Hack-a-Anything basketball.
1:33 — Coming back from the timeout, ESPN makes the unfortunate decision to showcase Jake Gone Wild! It’s just so… wrong. Please people, don’t encourage him.
Miami can’t find an open man, five-second violation. Chauncey takes about 15 seconds off the clock before getting fouled with the Pistons up 11… 12… 13. Ice water in his veins, people. He’s a bad man. My prediction of a double-digit Pistons win is looking good.
And… game. Pistons 91, Heat 78.
I have no idea what to expect tonight… I dont know if thats good or bad…
GO PISTONS!
I believe in Detroit. I’m not ready to bow to the pundits and concede that our team might be unraveling in the locker room. In so many ways, I’m disappointed in the Boys in Blue, but I’m not giving up on them.
Let’s see them win this one tonight and bite our nails in a tough Game 6.
Lets go Pistons!!!!!! Hey Fans keep your head up we will be fine……
Great start by the Pistons! Ben’s got some touches, a free throw, and a monster block that led to a 5-second in-bounds count. Rip’s aggresive. Up-tempo play and we’re not chewing 15 seconds of the clock before starting a set.
This is a great start. Sure, it’s premature to say that this is a sign, but this is a heartening to see.
Believe!
The Fire is back!!!!
“Tay hanging on the rim in front of Zo’s face” may be my favorite moment of the entire playoffs so far…
last couple games it was the heat vs some boys in blue. Tonight its the heat vs the BOYS in blue! WWOOOOOOOOH! GOOOOOO PISTONS
Godawful execution on the offensive end right now.
Rip is just waaaay out of control.
Rip has been WAAAAY OUT OF CONTROL since game the beginning of game 4. Calm down. Shit.
I’d like to hear Rip say something like Chauncey earlier, that the Pistons “aren’t good enough to win with just two guys,” because sometimes I feel like Rip gets a bit too involved in individual battles out there.
They need to attack that zone with movement!!! The Boys are playing well. Come on Stones!
Nice 1st half. Our boys have been playing hard. We just have to play smart and hard. If we win Game 5, watch out. I don’t Wade, Walker, Williams, and Posey have the heart to win game 6. If it comes back home bring on Dallas.
I feel pretty good at this point. A little worried about their adjustments and the inability to score against the zone, but that’s what you get with Flip. Feeling good about half number 2
here we go the start of the LETS GO PISTONS
third*
Chauncey thinks White Chocolate tastes good. . . I like that one-on-one matchup anytime.
I watched the Tigers pre-game show tonight, and they interviewed Derek Jeter. Despite growing up in Kalamazoo, Jeter said he grew up a Yankees fan and rooted against the Tigers, just to be different than his dad, a lifelong fan of the Tigs. And now, we hear he’s leaving love letters for Dwyane Wade. Why do some people in MI still claim ownership on this guy?
Absolutely need to get this lead up to double digits going into the 4th to survive the imminent 25 point quarter by Dwy-ane
detroit had a good third quarter they just gotta keep playing like this and they’ll get this win. LETS GO DETROIT.
Four point diff with eight left. Hamilton has missed a few too many but I like their tempo and aggresiveness. This one might end close, but I like our chances at the moment.
the fourth quarter has belonged to Wade….
It’ll be close, but the Pistons will pull it out. DEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALL!
Mr. Turnover strikes again — nicely done, Dwyane.
As for the Pistons, how many effing airballs are they going to throw up there tonight? Amateur hour…
Luckily Dwy-ane is turning it over… I guess there are drawbacks to playing out of control
it aint luck its defense LETS GO DETROIT
Pistons look dreadful on offense. Is Miami really this good on D?
BE SCARED…..BE VERY SCARED…..THIS COULD BE IT……
The play some of their best offensive quarters of the series and then they vomit up this mess in the 4th? Play loose, fellas. Everyone’s written you for dead as it is. There’s nothing to lose!
SoNice, we’ll see you again come Friday.
The Pistons have the experience and poise to close this one out. I have a lot of confidence. I just want to see this aggression follow us down to sunny Miami. It’ll be a tough Game 6, but we can definitely fight it out and bring it back to the Palace.
Goodnight, Miami. You’re sweating now. Game 6 is “win, or else” for both teams.
I’m going to jump the buzzer and gleefully declare “Game Over.”
Game On, Friday!
Since when has Tay worn an arm band? Is this the first time or am I just blind? Whatever, he needs to wear it every game now.
Miami shot 33% from the line. Did we win it or did they just choke? I’ll take it either way.
BTW, guys, timely article on McDyess. I would suggest penning something for Friday entitled “Ben, Sheed, Chauncey, Rip and Tay Aren’t Buttholes Either. And Neither is Flip. Nor the Guys on the Bench.”
The Palace Prince is the game MVP (and probably series). Nice game boys, even with no sign of Rasheed or Rip. If those two and Chauncey can come on strong Friday, maybe we’ll get one more here…
wwoooooohhhhhhoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
the Pistons showed up tonight!!
And a great performance by TAYSHAUN!!!!!!!
yyyeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
LET GO DETROIT WE SURVIVE TO BEAT MIAMI ANOTHER DAY AS LONG AS DETROIT CARRIES THIS MOMENTUM TO GAME 6 DETROIT WILL OWN MIAMI ON SATURDAY DDDDDEEEEETTTRROOIIT BBBBBBBBAAAAASSKKKEEEETTTBBBALLLLLLLL
Tay outscored Dwane(Ya I know that I spelled it wrong). Tay is unstoppable. Who in the whole league can guard him?
FRIDAY*
no one can guard tay is a beast hes gonna have another spectacular night on friday
I’ll be at the game friday, so I won’t get to enjoy your posts ’till after the victory party….seriously, no one expects Detroit to give it away, but I think Miami has more talent and experience. You still don’t have an answer foe Wade. Cut down on the turnovers, make a few free throws, and that’ll do it…
detroit is going to shit all over miami on friday and by the way detroit has way more experience than miami. so cancel your celebration on friday unless your going to be celebrating detroits ass whoopin that there going to put on miami.
LETS GO DETROIT
SoNiceInTheSun: The difference of experience and talent is negligible and certainly debateable. In the case of the Pistons, the experience and talent are spread evenly, instead of only among 2 or 3 players.
2v5 or 3v5, I’ll take five players. We haven’t seen the Pistons play this way since the regular season and I’m not a fan who easily believes you can turn things on and off, but if there’s a team to do it, it’s the Pistons.
Game 6 will be a great one. I love this series (now). I haven’t been this psyched for a game since Game 7 of the Finals last year.
I’m believing, but I’m certainly expecting a fight and even a shaking of the Pistons’ will in Miami.
now for another “backs against the wall” game on friday. hopefully these guys keep playing the way they played tonight. these guys seemed to gel just when they needed it. remember, they won in miami last year. they keep playing piston basketball, we might just have a game 7.
re heat choking via free throws: if we use that logic, the pistons have choked away the whole series. it’s about time the pistons started shooting a good percent from the line.
oh. and aside from prince, the starters shot 34%. this needs some work, but the guys have it in ‘em. give me something to do sunday night.
I better not hear too much about free throws being the deciding factor. The Piston backcourt was terrible this game; I’d expect that to change just as much as Miami’s free throw shooting.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes…
Game 6 is everything. So much pressure on Miami, you know the Pistons are going to be in their heads now. They’ve got to be thinking of how the Pistons are just impossible to kill…They had us down 3-2 last year and how did it turn out?
Of course, it’s still going to take the Piston’s top effort to win…Let’s hope they come out firing on Friday night and sustain the effort for the whole game. If they do, Miami will wilt.
tedwick, they shot 30% from the line. The worst the pistons have shot was 12-22 in game 4. We shot over 80% in the game 1 loss. Free throws haven’t been the problem. But if Miami makes a few here and there tonight, it’s a different game. They had multiple guys including Wade and Payton go to the line and BUNK BOTH. I’m not saying the Pistons would have lost even if Miami shoots a standard 70%, but you can’t expect that to be repeated at home in Miami. I mean, I wish it was just FTs that has us down 3-2.
Still, us shooting horribly is correct. I don’t know exactly what’s going on but our shooting percentage would have been atrocious without Dyess and Tay’s stat lines. Miami’s not that great a defensive team. Got to keep working on this and get it right for SIX. If we could hold Wade under 50% while having guys like Sheed and Chauncey shoot over 50%, we would have a great chance on Friday.
Tay is the man. I don’t want to hear anymore Melo talk. He shown that he is a goto guy. Win or lose we did not give up. Rip and Mr.Shot had bad shooting games and we still won. We have to bring our hard hat come Friday. I really think Wade, Walker, Posey, and Williams have a ton of choke in them. I sure they don’t want to come back here for a game 7, but they do bye bye Heat.
1. Miami’s zone defense is pretty good. We are forced to shoot 3’s or long jumpers.
2. Prince’s bail out triple with 2 seconds on the shot clock was the shot that saved this game from going Miami’s way. With 4:30 min to go in the 4th qtr Miami would’ve had the ball and only down 3.
3. Sheed looks even more hurt and McDyess’s left hand looks like it got ran over by a steam roller.
4. Good move by Flip for taking Ben out the game with 4 minutes left….and McDyess MADE some free throws, Ben.
The Pistons took this game, but if Game 6 is anything like Game 5, don’t expect us to make bail out shots.
I’m with Jay, all the way!
If Shazaam wants another ring, he can try again next year.
Michael,
ponder this: Wade trancends anyone on your team. He is just that good. His talent and athletic skill is not comparable to anyone on Detroit.
I think you’re discounting Miami’s role players….
you really rather have Lindsey Hunter than Gary payton? Or antonio McDyess as opposed to Alonzo Mourning? Walker, when he plays well, can be lethal. One thing you learn down here
is that anything can happen. But Detroit just shoots jumpshots, they’ll probably lose…
Miami has more talent and experience? Omg, that is the funniest thing ever!!! LOL!!!
“Cut down on the turnovers, make a few free throws, and that’ll do it…”
Rasheed Wallace 3-11
.
Richard Hamilton 7-21
.
Chauncey Billups 3-12
.
Lindsey Hunter 1-6
.
Team 3pt Shooting 2-15
.
Miami should be worried about these stats.
yes. i would rather have lindsey hunter, still one of the best on-ball defenders in the game, rather than gary payton, who used to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the game. and yes i would rather have dice, widely regarded as one of the best 6th men in the league, rather tha zo, who is a block machine and not much else notable.
re wade: yes. he transcends anyone on our team. however, i don’t think he transcends the 3-2 zone we were running tonight, especially with the traps and momentary double teams. I really liked how the guys played him tonight, putting two men on him without totally committing to the double team. i don’t think we’ll hold him to under 50%. However, if we can hold him to around 50%, like we did tonight, i’ll consider him contained. same with shaq. and then it comes down to the other 3 on each team. and i, like sheed, will take the pistons 5 over any other.
and shaq needs to learn a thing or two from flash. like how to be humble and give credit. ben’s block? “that was a foul, young lady. stop asking stupid questions.” even riles called it a hell of a play.
tedwick: Shaq is right–that was a foul. Go back and look at it, Ben makes illegal body contact, i.e. commits a foul, before he touches the ball.
(I assume you’re talking about the play in the 4th that ended in a jump ball which Wallace won. If not, oops.)
hi, my name is sam, i’m from israel, and one of my biggest passions is the detroit pistons. now is 8o’clock in the morning(I don’t mean alonzo) and I’m too tierd to say anything, but I just want to say that from here it seems that detroit retorn to her right basketball. hope to see you in the palace in game 7.
haha… foul right… look at him smack the ball out of shaqs hand but shaq held it firm… and so wallace followed up with it all the way down and while following the balls was being pushed down and shaqs elbow were being pushed out touching wallace… Its not a foul its called a block and a JUMP BALL
Mustafa: I clearly stated that the foul occured before Wallace made contact with the ball. His hand made a clean swipe at the ball, so it was a jump ball in that regard, but before Wallace got his hands on the ball, he jumped in the air and made excessive contact with Shaq’s right side.
The play was similar to when a shooter pump-fakes to draw the defender in the air, and then absorbs the contact that the defender creates when he lands on the shooter.
That’s a foul.
It was for sure a BLOCK. There was SOME contact before ben’s hand was on the ball but not enough to call a foul. Good thing too i’ve seen tons of ALL BALL blocks so far this series that have been called fouls.
There’s a lot of over analysis going on about the Miami Heat Detroit Pistons basketball series.
As long as the officials do not award the Miami Heat 47 free throws in a game, the Detroit Pistons should be fine.
Incidentally, watching free throw shooting practice is pretty dull and drives the ratings down. I know I won’t keep watching.
Frank McBride
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Blurz obviously doesn’t know the rule the NBA came up with in the last few years. They changed the ruling of how to call a foul when a pump fake is made to draw the defender in the air. The defender has a right to his space down low, or out on the perimeter. If the offensive player pump fakes to draw the defender to jump to block the shot, the defender can jump straight up from his position on the floor and if the offensive player jumps into him to draw contact it is either called a offensive foul or it’s not called at all.
Ben had the position under the basket, Shaquille jumped towards the basket to dunk the ball and Ben was there with his hand to stop his progress and call the jumpball. Ben had position on his defensive assignment, therefore it’s not a foul. He defended his man and his position on the floor by sticking in his spot, and jumping straight up to block the shot, or cause the jump ball.
In a series where if you look at D Wade the wrong way they call a foul, I was happy to see them call this one right.
You’re totally right Boney, that was a clean block, but who’s surprised that Shacko is going to call it a foul?
Remember when Shacko broke Bobby Jackson’s hand (Western conference finals, 2002)& the Wizards of Westwood called NO FOUL?Shacko’s “knowledge of the rules” seems formulated for his own convenience, period; the only thing keeping pace is the level of his own arrogance.