<div align="center"> vs San Antonio Spurs (21-6) vs Detroit Pistons (21-3) National TV: ABC Venue: The Palace Of Auborn Hills Date: Sunday, December 25th, 2005 TipOff time: 12:30 PM Eastern</div> [DIV=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"> <font size="1">C.Billups, R.Hamilton, T.Prince, R.Wallace, B.Wallace</font> <font size="3">Key Reserves</font> <font size="1">A.McDyess, C.Arroyo, C.Delfino, M.Evans</font> <font size="3">Coach</font> <font size="1">Flip Saunders</font></div> <font size="3">Team Leaders:</font> Scoring: R.Hamilton - 21.9 Rebounds: B.Wallace - 11.9 Assists: C.Billups - 8.7 FG%: R.Hamilton - 50.5% FT%: C.Billups - 93.1% 3PT%: R.Wallace - 45.6% Blocks: B.Wallace - 2.1 Steals: B.Wallace - 1.7 <font size="3">Key Injuries</font> None. <font size="3">Keys To The Game</font> The Wallace Brothers Both Ben and 'Sheed have been somewhat disappointing this season stat wise, despite their team's emergence. This game is a different story nonetheless. Both of the Wallace brothers have to bring in their A game to contain Duncan and Co. inside. The Spurs are a well organized and efficient team, so 'Sheed and Ben need to have big games on both ends of the floor. Bench Play - Despite having the best record in the NBA at 21-3, the Pistons do lack depth on their bench for them to have a record-breaking season. Unlike the Spurs, their starting 5 plays the majority of the minutes and eventually this will catch up on them. Detroit's second unit has to put up points in the board to match up with their counterpart. Flip's bench must produce to prevent a very costly drop off against San Antonio's subs. Strong Start - This is a big game for the Pistons. Despite the fact that it's the marquee Christmas Matchup, they're playing against what's believed to be the best team in the league. The same team that beat them in last year's Finals and the same team they are projected to face in this year's finals. The Pistons must come out with an edge specially on their home court and establish their tone early on. If the Spurs are in the game throughout the four quarters, they are very efficient and well coached that they have the upper hand of pulling out the win. <font size="3">X-Factor</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rasheed_wallace.jpg[/imgl]'Sheed will most likely be assigned the defensive task of guarding Tim Duncan for long stretches of this game. He has done a respectable job on TD in the past including last year's finals. Offensively, He should pressure Duncan down low, however, with his long range, he can step out in the perimeter which might create some uncomfort for the 2-times NBA MVP. Defensively, prevent Duncan from establishing a deep position down low and contest every shot he puts up. It'll take a team effort to contain Duncan defensively, specially with Manu out, but it all starts with 'Sheed. [/DIV] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"> <font size="1">T.Parker, M.Finley, B.Bowen, T.Duncan, R.Nesterovic</font> <font size="3">Key Reserves</font> <font size="1">R.Horry, N.Van Exel, B.Barry, N.Mohammed</font> <font size="3">Coach</font> <font size="1">Greg Popovich</font></div> <font size="3">Team Leaders:</font> Scoring: T.Duncan - 20.8 Rebounds: T.Duncan - 11.8 Assists: T.Parker - 6.3 FG%: R.Nesterovic - 55.1% FT%: S.Marks - 100.0% 3PT%: B.Bowen - 50.6% Blocks: T.Duncan - 2.3 Steals: M.Ginobili - 1.6 <font size="3">Key Injuries</font> Ginobili (Sprained Foot) - Questionable <font size="3">Keys To The Game</font> Backdoor Cuts - Chauncy Billups has been doing a tremendous job this year spotting the open man. He's getting everyone involved and running Flip Saunders's Offense to near perfction. The Spurs better be aware at all time in the half court, as Rip and Prince like to constantly keep coming off screens. Popovich may need to switch on some Pick n' Rolls down low, or Detroit will get several easy buckets. Perimeter Offense - With Manu out, the Spurs are going to rely heavily on Finley, Barry and Parker to carry the Offense on the perimeter. Duncan will be facing a tough matchup against the Wallaces, and he's banged up as well, so these three perimeter guys must come up big offensively if the Spurs want a chance at the victory. Defense - The Pistons are a much improved team offensively with the addition of Flip. They're scoring at will and their Defense didn't suffer a hit from last year. The Spurs can not match them offensively, so they have to eliminate all their easy buckets make it hard for them to score. This could very well be the Finals preview, so San Antonio would want to establish their tone against the Pistons early in the season. <font size="3">X-Factor</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/michael_finley.jpg[/imgl]With Ginobli most likely out with a foot injury, the Spurs will rely on Finley to come up big in Manu's absence. Offensvely, he has to be agressive and not second guess his shots like he did Friday night against the Raptors. Duncan always looks to pass out of the post, thus, Finley will get some open shots and he just has to stick them like he's capable of. Defensively, he'll be guarding the taller Tayshaun Prince. Remember, Prince is left-handed, so force him to go to the right and make him take contested shots. <font size="3">Game Matchup</font> <div align="center"> vs <font size="1">Tony Parker vs Chauncey Billups</font></div> Both point guards have taken their respective games to another levels this season joining the elites. Parker is without a doubt San Antonio's second best player this season, and he has done a tremendous job carrying the load off Tim Duncan and getting everyone involved. His jumper is well improved, and he seems to be a more polished player. Billups on the other hand, is enjoying playing under Flip Saunders to say the least. For so long he was known for his scoring abilities, but this year, he's showing his great passing abilities leading the team in assists on regural basis and is third in the league in assists per game with 8.7. The difference being, Billups is a much more established defender in this league. Although Parker has been tearing everyone up so far with dribble penetration (leading the league in points in the paint), Big Shot Billups is not like any other guard. His physical Defense and quickness will provide dificulties to Mr. Eva Longoria. This is a very interesting and enjoyable matchup to watch, and in my opinion, the winner of this matchup will lead his team to the victory. <font size="3">Prediction</font> With all the hype surrounding the Shaq/Riley vs Kobe/Phil matchup, this game combines the best two teams in the league and a very possible Finals matchup. Both teams are having a great season, and despite the fact the Pistons are on an absolute tear, I'm predicting a Spurs win in a very close game. Spurs win, 98-97. <div align="center"> <font size=""6""><font color=""Red"">Merry Christmas!</font></font></div>
Thanks a lot for the preview. I'm really looking forward to watching this game tomorrow with the family. Although I like both teams, the Spurs will have my support.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Umair15:</div><div class="quote_post">Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace r brothers?</div> Yes, they're brothers. Anyways, this was a painful game to watch as it had no flow, and both teams struggled putting the ball in the hoop for the majority of the game, good D or not. Spurs couldn't get anything going, and had to rely on Parker mostly to get something going. Duncan stringed together a few jumpers here and there and a couple of baskets, but he couldn't get anything going thanks in part to Sheed's great D. Ben Wallace was a monster today, as he was active on the glass, tipping balls, keeping the ball alive, and creating oppurtunites. Finley, didn't have anything going for him either this afternoon, missing many jumpers. Rip played very poor today, but the Pistons still managed to pull out a double digit win, which tells you alot about their depth.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting P.A.P.:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, they're brothers. </div> I'm pretty sure they're unidentical twins as well.
Do you really think they are brothers? I'm sorry to burst your bubble but they aren't brothers. They are born 7 days apart.
Even though I respect Billups, that 3 he made after he did the up-and-down, just shows how blind the refs can be some times, I`ve noticed alot of bad/late calls lately.
Yeah, that made me mad after they showed the replay and he clearly jumped up. Well, it's ok those 3 points wouldnt have mattered.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Soft Parade:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though I respect Billups, that 3 he made after he did the up-and-down, just shows how blind the refs can be some times, I`ve noticed alot of bad/late calls lately.</div>If that would have decided the game, than I could see why you'd be complaining. But seeing as how it wasn't even close, who cares. The refs missed a call. Honest mistake. They're human, they can't make every call and be perfect at their job. Plus, seeing as how his foot came what, an inch off the ground, it would have been hard to call that without watching a replay of it, and since it wasn't the end of a quarter, they couldn't do that. I'm sure that almost any ref would have missed that call, not just the ones at that game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">If that would have decided the game, than I could see why you'd be complaining. But seeing as how it wasn't even close, who cares. The refs missed a call. Honest mistake. They're human, they can't make every call and be perfect at their job. Plus, seeing as how his foot came what, an inch off the ground, it would have been hard to call that without watching a replay of it, and since it wasn't the end of a quarter, they couldn't do that. I'm sure that almost any ref would have missed that call, not just the ones at that game.</div> Ya its not like their job or anything to call every call right? It's okay if they miss a few calls a game, just as long as its a blowout right? Truth is you never know how 3 points might affect a game. What if the other team got down on it and desperate to hit a 3 and jacked/threw some up with more pressure and that caused them to lose. It's possible. Anything is. I really do believe that it is there jobs to get every call. If they can't then the NBA isn't doing a good job making sure both teams have a fair chance in winning the game. The current officiating system just doesn't work. Michael Finley was out of bounds last year. This year it happened again! Are officials that (old/)bad at calling games? The man is standing out of bounds. You just saw the replay. FIX THE DAMN CALL! Hurt more last year when we were in the playoffs though.
