Heres how the Series has panned out so far...-Game 1: Pistons Win 79-76LeBron scores a career-low 10 points and the Pistons pull it out in the fourth to get the W.-Game 2: Pistons Win 79-76Cavs lose a 12-point halftime lead at the Palace as Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups come up huge in the fourth.-Game 3: Cavs Win 88-82 in a close one throughout as LeBron leads the Cavs with 32 points-9-and 9.Game 4: Back at the Q, Detroit is looking to steal one on the road so they dont have to worry about winning game 5 at home. Larry Hughes might miss this one with a stomach problem, leaving Eric Snow or Daniel Gibson to start. Gibson hit 3 threes in game 2, and scored 9 in game three. This also means that Damon Jones will be getting a lot of opportunities to hit some big shots as well if those three guys are able to score, then Cleveland will have a good chance at winning. But the key for tonight will be shutting down LeBron. Tayshaun snapped out of his 1-19 shooting in the first two games with a 6-13 night and had 13 points. But like I said, he has been trading his O for great D on Bron and thats what he needs to continue doing if the Pistons want to win tonight.Starters for the Detroit PistonsPG-1 Chauncey BillupsSG-32 Rip HamiltonSF-22 Tayshaun PrincePF/C-36 Rasheed WallaceC/PF-84 Chris WebberKey Bench Guys: Flip Murray, Carlos Delfino, Lindsey Hunter, Jason Maxiell, Antonio McDyessStarters for the Cleveland CavaliersG-32 Larry Hughes+G/SF-3 Al PavlovicSF-23 LeBron JamesPF-90 Drew GoodenC-11 Zyndrunas Ilgauskas++Hughes may not play. Starting Role could be filled by Jones, Gibson, Snow.Key Bench Guys: Daniel Gibson, Anderson Vareajao, Damon Jones, Eric Snow, Donyell MarshallThe Cavs have momentum to tie things up tonight, but the Pistons will do their best to steal this one and if they start shooting better, then they will take a 3-1 lead and get the opportunity to take the series in 5 and move on to the Finals.
<div align="center">[#1] <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> [#2]<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">DET Leads Series 2-1</span>May 29, 2007 - 8:00 pm ET<span style="color:#FF0000">Game on TNT</span></div><span style="color:#0000FF">Detroit Pistons</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">(2-1)</span><span style="color:#FF0000">PG</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Chauncey Billups</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SG</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Rip Hamilton</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SF</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">PF</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Chris Webber</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">C</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Rasheed Wallace</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Antonio McDyess, Lindsey Hunter, Carlos Delfino, Flip Murray, Jason Maxiell, Dale Davis</span><span style="color:#990000">Cleveland Cavaliers</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">(1-2)</span><span style="color:#CC9933">PG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Sasha Pavlovic</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SF</span> <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PF</span> <span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">C</span> <span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Eric Snow, Donyell Marshall, Scot Pollard</span>Injury Report<span style="color:#FF0000">DET:</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">None To Report</span><span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes suffered a strain of the left foot plantar fascia during the first quarter of the Cavaliers game vs. the Detroit Pistons (ECFG3) last night in Cleveland. He was re-evaluated by team physician Dr. Richard Parker at The Cleveland Clinic this morning. An MRI was performed with the result being consistent with the plantar fascia strain. He is currently listed as Doubtful for tomorrow nights Cavaliers vs. Pistons game (ECFG4) in Cleveland.</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#0000FF">Chauncey Billups</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Playoff Stats: 18.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.5 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Rip Hamilton</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Playoff Stats: 17.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.8 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Rasheed Wallace</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 14.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.8 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 15.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.6 apg</span><span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Playoff Stats: 24.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 8.2 APG</span><span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Series Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG</span><span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Playoff Stats: 14.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.0 APG </span><span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Playoff Stats: 11.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.4 APG </span><div align="center">Key Match up vs.<span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000099">Chauncey Billups</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Chauncey Billups -- Billups is on a mission because this is his contract year. He has been flawless throughout the playoffs. He does so much for his team. He has a lot to play for and he truly loves winning.</span> </div><div align="center">Key Match up vs. <span style="color:#990000">Sasha Pavlovic</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000099">Rip Hamilton</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Even -- Pavlovic is athletic enough to stay with Hamilton. I take my hat off to the great job Sasha did on Vince Carter. Pavlovic's tougher than I thought. When he got knocked down against the Nets, he got up and didn not back down. Sasha's the reason why the Cavs won against the Nets. </span></div><div align="center">Key Match up vs. <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000099">Tayshaun Prince</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: LeBron James -- I only have James over Prince by a hair. Prince is underrated. James has the edge but he will have to earn it. James has to get past the Pistons like Micheal Jordan got past the Pistons. Will this be a learning session for James or will he step up? If James can step up and beat Prince, James will beat the Pistons. </span> </div><div align="center">Key Match up vs. <span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000099">Rasheed Wallace</span> <span style="color:#000000">Edge: Rasheed Wallace. -- This all depends on which Wallace shows up. If the 3-point shooting Wallace sows up, Gooden will win this battle. If the post-up Wallace shows up and plays inside-out, no one can stop him. Gooden has played well in the postseason. </span> </div><div align="center">Key Match up vs. <span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000099">Chris Webber</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. -- If Ilgauskas keeps giving the Cavs what he has given them in the playoffs, the Cavs will benefit and continue to play well. Ilgauskas is long enough and tall enough to bother Chris Webber's jump hook. You don't have to worry about Z's lack of speed defending Webber because Webber's not quick enough to go by his man anymore.</span> </div>Game Notes<span style="color:#990000">LeBron James posted 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Game 3 vs. Detroit. Over the past two playoffs, James is the only player in the NBA to put up those numbers in a game. He did it on Sunday night and also in Game 1 against Washington last season. The Cavaliers are 4-3 all-time in home playoff games during the Eastern Conference Finals (1-0 this season, 2-1 during the 1976 Playoffs and 1-2 in 1992). Cleveland will be looking for consecutive Eastern Conference Finals wins for the second time in team history (Games 3 and 4 in 1976 vs. Washington). Cleveland is 5-1 (.833) at home during the playoffs and have won eight of their last nine games at home (inclduing the regular season). With a win tonight, the Cavaliers would set a team record for playoff wins in a season with 10. In addition, a win would move them to 6-1 at home and tie them for the most home wins in a season with the 1992 Cavaliers. LeBron James has dished out at least seven assists in 12 of 13 playoff games this season. He ranks fifth in the postseason in assists per game (8.2). Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored eight of his 16 points in the third quarter in Game 3. It marked his seventh game this postseason with at least 16 points. The Cavs are 5-2 this postseason when Ilgauskas scores at least 15 points.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Series Info</span></span>Gm 1: <strike>Mon., May 21 @ DET, 8 p.m., TNT</strike> <span style="color:#0000FF">DET</span>Gm 2: <strike>Thu., May 24 @ DET, 8 p.m., TNT</strike> <span style="color:#0000FF">DET</span>Gm 3: <strike>Sun., May 27 @ CLE, 8:30 p.m., TNT</strike> <span style="color:#990000">CLE</span>Gm 4: Tue., May 29 @ CLE, 8 p.m., TNTGm 5*: Thu., May 31 @ DET, 8 p.m., TNTGm 6*: Sat., June 2 @ CLE, 8:30 p.m., TNTGm 7*: Mon., June 4 @ DET, 8 p.m., TNTBold-Next Game*-If Necessary<strike>Cross out- Games over</strike>Cavaliers need this one.
Hughes IS starting...game is just underway.Cavsrules, im sorry but could you please stop using the big pictures? lets make a bet...DET wins, no pics. CLE wins continue
Daniel Gibson has been outstanding tonight, he's following up on his clutch Game 3 performance. Tonight, he has taken it to another level. With Hughes' condition, Gibson in a huge factor tonight. So far, he has been terrific. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PN13 @ May 29 2007, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hughes IS starting...game is just underway. Cavsrules, im sorry but could you please stop using the big pictures? lets make a bet...DET wins, no pics. CLE wins continue</div> I don't think the pics are that big, he just uses a lot of them (as do I when I make my threads). It's the same layout I use except he uses pictures for every matchup, I just did one key matchup. I don't think it's a big deal.
I can deal with them I guess... Cavs up 7 at the half 50-43. Chauncey is lighting it up with 18 but we need to do what we did in game 2 and erase this lead quickly. I'm glad Hunter hit that three too. I dont think that we could erase a 10 point deficit on the road. but now we have a legit chance
wow. thats what home court gets you. we just need to keep the clock stopped. wow. terrible calls. gooden nearly lost this game but then he perhaps helped win it.. still a chance down 2. Lebron at the line. hit both. dammit! 4 seconds left...over tied 2-2. I had a bad feeling about this one but good game Cavs.
Billups played like crap late in this game. Throwing the ball right to cavs (Gooden I believe) and fouling immediately after, the fast break weak pull up 3 pointer and dribbling the ball around the paint taking too much time off the clock. edit: god I hate all those people with these "we believe" signs. It was cute when Golden State started it but to see fans from every other team use it now just iritates the hell out of me even more so then all that witness crap from Dallas and Cleveland last year :no3:
LeBron was excellent in the 4th, staying aggressive and FINALLY nailing the clutch free throws. Drew Gooden was also great in the 4th tonight offensively, and I think he really bothered Sheed and took him out of the game mentally. He was frustrating the hell out of him and playing him aggressively. That grab was unnecessary though.
I can't believe the series is tied 2-2, the Pistons had it all they had to do was secure the lead whether it was only by 1,2,3,4....10. Mc Dyess did a hell of a job off the bench but Chauncey made some key mistakes down the stretch we all thought he never would make especially in the playoffs. Sheed and Webber didn't play good at all but at least Prince is baCk being aggressive while at the same time defending Lebron.The Pistons cannot play catch up, for game 5 I would like to see them jump out the gate and control the tempo the whole game. I think if they can take game 5, they will have the motivation to close is out in Cleveland in game 6.One last thing, this game was crucial for the Pistons. If they do prevail in the series and if the Spurs win tommorow night, then the Spurs will get the much needed rest and have the early advantage in the finals. HoLLa baCk
This series[whole season, honestly] just goes to show EVERYONE that Mike Brown is NOT a good coach what-so-ever. I'd just love to get a coach that knows something, I would love Brown has a defensive coach, but we have no offense and the 3rd quarters keep adding up. We only won these two games because we were at home. No way we comeback down in the 4th and take the game on the road, even though we have done before. Daniel Gibson was just huge tonight, if he does that again and we play a MUCH better 3rd quarter, we will win. Detroit just doesn't fear me, or pretty much anyone. The Cavaliers have very well outplayed the Pistons in the 1st four games in this series. Honestly, we should be up 3-1, or it should be over. Those two close games in Detroit, I honestly think some bad calls, and just some bad coaching. But we tied it, clean series now. Its anyones ballgame. But if Cleveland plays a good 3rd quarter and with a lead, I think we take game 5.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PN13 @ May 29 2007, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hughes IS starting...game is just underway.Cavsrules, im sorry but could you please stop using the big pictures? lets make a bet...DET wins, no pics. CLE wins continue</div>Looks like I get to keep dong it! :dribble: Na, if you all want me to stop with all the pictures, I can. I just wanted to make a great game thread for the playoffs and do every match-up with some notes. But I apologize if it has been a bother to some people.
it's alright, but there was just a lot. do what you want for your preview. its yours....Daniel Gibson had an amazing game as did LeBron in the fourth...dont get too excited though Cavs fans...the Pistons wont lose this series, but I'd be getting pumped for next year in Cleveland
Its a tied series, I know Detroit is gonna come out hard in game 5 and the Cavaliers need to take care of things. If we win game 5, I'm just 95% sure we will be going to the finals. Crazy to think, but we need this game 5 badly. If not, we got a 7 game series.
