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.

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).

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.

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.

Cheerleaders are paid to cheer.

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

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.

- 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).

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..

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.

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.

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.