Remember how Scott Skiles kept on saying the Bulls were getting open shots in Games 1 and 2, but that they just weren’t falling? Well, they were open in Game 5 alright, and holy crap were they falling. I’m sure everyone will be talking about how the Bulls shot 72% in the first half, but honestly, that’s not even what got Detroit. Despite that blistering percentage, the Pistons entered halftime with a manageable eight-point deficit.
It was the third quarter that killed the Pistons. Just when it looked like the Pistons might make some noise by cutting Chicago’s lead down to six, the Bulls ran off back-breaking 13-0 run. And unlike the Game 3 theatrics, the Pistons really was no answer for it, as the lead ballooned to 23 late in the fourth quarter.
How could things get so bad, so quickly? For one, the defense never tightened up. Although they fell off their scorching pace from the first half, the Bulls still shot an unacceptable 57% in the third quarter. But just as importantly, the Pistons proved once again that they don’t have an adequate backup for Chauncey Billups on the roster. Billups picked up three quick fouls early in the third (thanks in part to Kirk Hinrich, who unbeknownst to most NBA fans actually suffers from an acute balance disorder which results in him falling helplessly to the ground at the slightest touch by an opposing player), and in his absence Detroit’s offense grew stagnant.
It wasn’t a surprise, really. The same thing happened earlier in the game when Billups sat out for a breather in the second quarter: his absence more or less coincided with an 12-3 run by the Bulls. It’s good news for him, I guess, since Joe Dumars will have a hard time not giving him as much money as he wants this summer, but it’s just killing the Pistons in the meantime.
But really, this wasn’t about what Detroit’s players didn’t do so much as what Chicago’s players did: Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich were all clicking, and when that happens there aren’t many teams in the league they can’t beat. Deng (20 points, seven boards, four assists, two blocks) has been the model of consistency for the Bulls, and Hinrich (17 points, 13 assists) has more or less been solid.
But this was really Gordon’s first big game of the series, and he provided dagger after dagger for the Bulls by shooting 5-6 from long range en route to 28 points. He’s inconsistent as hell, not much on the defensive end and can’t rap worth a damn, but I will give him this: when he’s on, he’s on.
For what it’s worth, the Pistons did out-rebound the Bulls 37 to 35, but that was a function of Chicago’s insane shooting percentage as much as anything else. Chris Webber played better than the last two games with nine points and a team-high eight boards, though his lack of athleticism is still being exposed. Antonio McDyess scored 12 points in 15 minutes but also committed three turnovers. I wish we could have seen more of Jason Maxiell — he was a +11 on the night in just 15 minutes of play, scoring five with three boards. At the very least, you know Maxiell is going all-out on every play, while the other big guys were often doing more plodding than anything else.
And honestly, I still wish Amir Johnson could at least dress for these games — if nothing else, he could provide 2-3 minutes of unbridled energy, and I guarantee he’d do at least a couple of things that make you notice him on the court, whether it’s chasing down a loose ball or skying high for a rebound. It’s a fool’s quest to think it’ll ever happen — on this veteran team, such a drastic change in the rotation would just reek of “panic” — but to me it just seems like one of those no-brainers to at least try.
Then again, making adjustments — whether they’re drastic or small — never has been Flip Saunders’ forte. I’ve never been one to lay too much blame on a coach simply because I honestly don’t feel qualified to determine which mistakes are the result of poor execution and which mistakes are the fault of a bad scheme … but when a team is hitting open jumpers all night long with the nearest defender three steps away? It makes me wonder if the players are really being put in the best position to succeed.
This series might remind you of last year’s debacle with Cleveland, but it doesn’t really compare. For one, the Pistons were legitimately hampered by injury last year: Rip Hamilton was still feeling an ankle injury from the first round and Rasheed Wallace suffered a severe ankle injury in Game 4. This year? There’s no real excuse other than the mythical lack of “energy” or “focus” or “in-game coaching adjustments.” (OK, that last one might not be so mythical.)
The Pistons are still in the position of power, of course, needing just one win to close it out, but it’s a big concern that they couldn’t do it at home. I still think that the third time trying to close out the series will be the charm in Game 6 on Thursday in Chicago, but I no longer know if my confidence is fueled by optimism, logic or denial.
Bulls 108, Pistons 92 box score [ESPN]
GameFlow [PopcornMachine.net]
DBB Preview: Pistons go for the knockout punch in Game 5
That’s it. No more Dre Bly.
…thanks in part to Kirk Hinrich, who unbeknownst to most NBA fans actually suffers from an acute balance disorder which results in him falling helplessly to the ground at the slightest touch by an opposing player…
TOO FUNNY! You know, I actually don’t mind most of this Bulls team (I absolutely HATED the Jordan-era Bulls). For the most part, they seem like a bunch of hard workers, a lot like the Pistons’ ‘04 team. But Kirk Hinrich? Don’t get me started. I can’t stand this guy. I simply cannot take another oh-I-was-bumped-and-now-I’m-skidding-20-feet-across-the-floor offensive foul. What a wuss. What a baby. What a flopper.
What a Laimbeer?
Am thinking the same thing!!!!
I still see this series as a repeat of the Cleveland series last year. We’re not playing with desperation. Loose balls went undoven for. Lanes went unclosed. Sheed went no further than 2 feet from the arc. Amir Johnson went to the Sioux Falls Quicky Mart and back.
The Pistons were the best road team in the league this year. We have that to console ourselves with, Matt.
Rocky- Pistons were only best in the East. Mavs and Suns both had better road records, and Spurs had same road record. Just gets worse and worse…
Bulls in 7.
I don’t agree that Hinrich is a flopper. If you want a flopper look at Nocioni. Who is not really playing or playing well since he is practically injured.
PISTON Honda vs Bald BULL, Thursday.
RockyCliffs- Bulls were the best home team in the conference this year. You have that to console yourselves with as well.
CHI-TOWN BAS-KET-BALL!!!
If the Pistons are Mac, you better keep pressing “select” so Doc can pat your shoulder faster.
Why would bulls fans blog on here. Dont get all excited thinking they will win the series. My take on it David Stern called up Davidson and told them to flop to gain more money for the league. Thats just an excuse but all seriousness shooting that high of a percentage is not ever going to happen again against Detroit. They were playing too relaxed. We like our backs against the wall. We know we have to win game 6 and if that doesnt happen you really think this Chicago team will be the first NBA team to come back from a 0-3 deficit? C’mon, for all the Chicago fans “hope for the best, expect the worse” Your season will be over soon.
Slowing down a team thats been hot (70% shooting) for the most part of the 3 quarters will be difficult to achieve. However, there is a question wheather an adjustment has been made from allowing Chicago to continue with the way they play for 3 quarters. Why didn’t he (Flip) make the necessary adjustment in the middle of 2nd qtr, 3rd qtr? I also believe that a major part of Piston’s collapse was that Chicago was making all their shot and at the same time, it’s Piston’s offnight as far as shooting from few players (Prince, Hamilton’s free throws, McDyes). In other words, the way the Bulls play was almost the exact opposite Pistons played. Beginning of Game 6, I think that Detroit starters has to come up big, in the very beginning of the first quarter…..If they can achieve a 10pt lead in the first 7minutes of the 1st quarter, it’ll be difficult for Chicago to comeback. Detroit never allow a team to comeback, not the lead that they have, but the tempo of the game that they have achieved in the beginning of the game (with the exception of San Antonio Spurs in the Finals)
I started reading here cause after we swept the heat I wanted to find out more about the pistons and you guys know Pistons basketball better than me and I wanted to see what you guys thought etc. I started posting after Detroit fans were posting all over Bulls blogs, and realized it was okay to do so.
Matt, very objective and insightful opinions, better written than some articles on Chicago newspapers which are assumably written by professional journalists.
RP, Kirk is a very unselfish, hard-working and talent player. If you can’t stand him, it may say something about you – what type of person… Learn something from Matt Watson, be objective and enjoy good competitive basketball, which will help you live a happier life.
Quit whining about Kirk taking the offensive foul. There’s really no need to shoulder thrust at the top of the arc. You would think after the first couple calls, he would realize he shouldn’t do it because the refs are going to call it. Common sense.
I had a clear look at that particular foul that sent Billups out in the second half for the stretch.
He was body-bumping with Hinrich, and it was a bit of both - Billups just picked up danger fouls, so posting up Hinrich was not the best idea. Hinrich sold that shit pretty good, too, since it’s not like Kirk’s 5′8 and 120 lbs. or anything . . . he went down all too easy.
The proper call would have been none, but Hinrich earned that cred on that night because of his shooting less so than Chicago’s shooting prowess . . . and the comparative lack thereof of Billups.
I like Hinrich and respect his actual defensive ability - he’s a solid guard on defense, for real. I can’t fault him for resorting to trickery. I can dislike him because he’s balling against the Pistons right now, though, so DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-TROIT BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS-KETBALLLLLLLL!
Don’t be mad at Hinrich. He’s just taking advantage of what’s in front of him. I wouldn’t mind having a flopper on the Pistons to pull that garbage on the other team in return. But it was an awful, awful call. One for the Stern/refs conspiracy theorists.
anonymosity: I meant to say they were the best in the East. Thanks for keeping me honest.
P. Latch: I think winning on the road’s a bit tougher than winning at home.