Optimism seems to be in short supply right about now, which in hindsight is a bit odd considering this isn’t even the first time this postseason that the Pistons have been down 1-2. With one win tonight, the Pistons get a clean slate. Maybe Chauncey Billups is toast, or maybe he’ll only be able to produce in even-numbered games — we really won’t know for sure until the ball tips, so don’t let it ruin your Memorial Day BBQ just yet.
The game starts at 8:30pm on ESPN — I’ll be there for FanHouse, but you guys do your thing in the comments.
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.