@ Time: 8:00 Place: Conseco Field House Tv: ESPN ========================== Probable Starting Lineups: Chauncey Billups/Kenny Anderson Richard Hamilton/Reggie Miller Tayshuan Prince/Ron Artest Ben Wallace/Jermaine Oneal Elden Campbell/Jeff Foster ========================= Injury Report: Det- SG-Hubert Davis-Thumb -R SF-Darvin Ham-Wrist-IR SG-Lindsey Hunter-Knee-IR Indy- SF-Jonathan Bender-Knee-IR PG-Jamaal-Tinsley-Back-IR ============================= Notes: Det- The Pistons have lost their mojo lately, losing four in a row, averaging 78.5 points a game. They'll bounce back, but when? Ind- Jermaine O'Neal keeps raising his level of play as a next generation version of Kevin Garnett, but they still have to get their guard play consistent to reach the next level. *Thanks to Powerrankings for the notes ==================================== Key Bench Players Det- <ul> [*]Mehmet Okur is back on Larry Brown's good side and is averaging 9.7 Points Per Game and 7.3 Rebounds Per Game [*]Corliss Williamson is averaging 8.0 Points Per Game and 3.1 Rebounds Per Game [*]Chucky Atkins is averaging 4ppg, 1rpg, and 1.9apg [/list] Indy- <ul> [*]Al Harrington is averaging 12.9ppg and 6.7rpg [*]Anthony Johnson is averaging 4.6ppg and 3apg [*]Austin Croshere is averaging 4.4ppg and 2.9rpg [/list] ======================== Players to Watch: Det- <ul> [*]Ben Wallace has upped his offensive skills and gets 12.4RPG, the Pistions need his Defense to stay in this game. [*]Richard Hamilton is the main scorer on the team and he will need to have a big game for a win [/list] Indy- <ul> [*]Jermaine Oneal is becoming an Elite PF in this league and he will need to dominate this game for the W. [*]Ron Artest is an amazing defender and can score when he is needed to, the Pacers will need him to score in this one. [/list] ========================== Keys to the Game: Det- This game is going to be won off turnovers because both these teams have great defenders on them and who ever is more careful with the pull will pull out the W. Ben Wallace needs to hit the boards tonight and he will need to score to help out Chauncey and Rip. Indy- The Pacers are one of the best defensive teams in the leauge. They will also need to hit the boards and Jermaine O'neal better box out Ben Wallace on the Offensive Glass or this could be a long night for JO. ============================= Prediction: INdy wins this one close 89-86
Pacers to bounce back from a shock loss to Orlando and they will win this one by 9. Al Harrington is close to being 6th man of the year this point too.
I will be interested to see what Pistons team shows up tonight.The key will be Jermaine O'Neal and Ben Wallace match-up.They always play each other tough which is normally a very even match-up.Billups needs to take advantage of the Pacers weak point guard play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">This game is so boring 48-39 halfway through the 3rd. I rather watch billiards.</div> Don't watch it then Pistons play a style that isn't a run and gun style.Rick Carlisle isn't known for being an offensive coach.It's about a defensive game.Basketball isn't just about scoring... anyways This would be a huge win if Pistons get this game.It really is needed.
Right now the score is 58-52 with 9:41 left in the fourth...still anybodys game ============================ With 5:44 left in the 4th, Austin Croshere is stepping it up, he has 9 pts in the 4th, the score is now 61-64 ====================================== 68-66 Pacers, Artest just hit a major three 3:12 left in the fourth
Pistons are falling apart in the 4th. Indiana is up by 6 with 52 seconds left. Looks like detroit is going to lose the game................Why do the Pistons play so poorly on national tv?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">Why do the Pistons play so poorly on national tv?</div> No, they play poorly PERIOD Pistons need a trade.
a little late here but here is teh recap and box score: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Austin Croshere and Ron Artest saved their best for last. Croshere scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and Artest nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with just under four minutes to go as the Indiana Pacers rallied to defeat the rival Detroit Pistons, 80-75. </div> Full Recap Box Score
http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/anthony_johnson.jpg"> Indiana ========================== <font size="5"></font> <u><font size="5">Keys to the Game:</font></u> <u><font size="5"></font></u> Miami <ul> [*]Somehow keep the Pacers off the glass. They will totally eat up rebounds if Haslem, Odom and Grant don't focus on boxing out. [*]Take advantage of your talented guards and penetrate the lane to draw fouls. Coming into enemy territory you have to make sure you get to the line early and often. [*]Utilize Odom with his guard abilities and lure JO away from the basket. Keeping JO away will let the guards cut to the lane and go in against a worse defender. Or Odom could just take him off the dribble on an isolation IF....JO can't guard him. But thats a big IF. [/list] Indiana <ul> [*]Utilize JO to your advantage and attack the post area. By establishing JO early down low this will give the Pacers an early advantage in the paint. Ownership of the paint is essential to winning games in the playoffs. [*] Ron Artest has to attack Caron Butler on the offensive end. Caron did not have to worry about George Lynch going off on a scoring tear but he will have to worry about Ron Artest on both ends of the court. [*]Rotate the ball effectively. Ron Artest and JO will get double teamed almost immediatley every time they get the ball. Put yourself in a position where you can rotate the ball to the open player. If not just give it back to JO in the post and do it all over again. [*]Make sure your bench is well utilized to save the legs of Artest and JO. Miami's bench can't hold a candle to the talent Indiana has on their bench. [/list]<u><font size="5"></font></u> <u><font size="5"></font></u> <u><font size="5">CourtVisions Prediction.....</font></u> The Heat will play a valient series but lose in............5. The Pacers bench will be the key to their winning ways. <u><font size="5"></font></u>
