Pistons @ Pacers Preview Detroit Pistons(29-13) @ Indiana Pacers(32-11) Last Meeting Pistons 75 @ Pacers 80 on December 19, 2003 Series The series is being lead 2-0 by the Pacers! Previous Game Spurs 77 @ Pistons 85 Pacers 100 @ Hawks 97 Streaks Pistons: Won 13 (10-0 in last ten) Pacers: Won 4 (9-1 in last ten) Head Coaches vs. Probable Starters PG: vs. Billups vs. Tinsley SG: vs. Hamilton vs. Miller SF: vs. Prince vs. Artest PF: vs. Wallace vs. O'Neal C: vs. Okur vs. Foster 6th Men vs. Atkins vs. Harrington Players to Watch vs. Wallace: 9.7 Points (.418 FG %), 2 Assists, 13.1 Rebounds, 1.78 Steals, 3.07 Blocks O'Neal: 20.8 Points (.437 FG %), 2 Assists, 10.5 Rebounds, 2.74 Blocks Injury Lists Detroit Pistons Hubert Davis Tremaine Fowlkes Lindsey Hunter Indiana Pacers Kenny Anderson Primoz Brezec James Jones Keys to the Game <u>Detroit Pistons:</u> <ul> [*]Dominate the rebounds (Pistons have killed teams rebounding and will need to continue this trend to have a good chance at winning) [*]Guard Jermaine (The Pistons did an excellent job guarding Tim Duncan and they need to do the same thing against JO) [*]Get Hamilton and Billups going (They are the Pistons to main offensive weapons and they will need to have great nights) [*]Play Larry Brown's style of basketball/Spread the ball around (To keep the streak alive, the Pistons need to do what they have been doing) [*]Make open shots (When the Pistons play their style of basketball, they get a lot of open shots and need to make those like they have been the last few games) [/list] <u>Indiana Pacers:</u> <ul> [*]Keep up with the Piston's rebounding (The Pistons have been unstoppable rebounding lately and the Pacers will need to put a stop to this) [*]Guard Hamilton (Hamilton has been playing pretty well lately and he will need to be contained) [*]Keep up with the Piston's bench (The Piston's bench has been playing very well the last few games and the Pacers will need to stop them) [*]Don't allow last second heroics by Billups (Billups=clutch, that is all that need to be said!) [*]Do not rely on Jermaine (O'neal will get some of his points and boards but they need to find somebody else to be able to score. If the Pistons shut TD down in the important moments, than JO will not be a problem) [*]Get the crowd going (The Pistons are on fire and the Pacers will need to get the crowd excited to have a better chance) [/list] PyroManiac's Prediction This will be an excellent game. A very likely preview of the conference finals too. (The earlier 2 games don't count because Pistons could not find their groove) The Pistons will need to play with heart and with confidence right from the start. The Pacers will want nothing more than to come in and end the streak, also finishing up the series by having 3 wins. Wallace will need to play well against Jermaine O'Neal but I'm sure the Pistons will have drawn up a scheme to handle him. Hamilton can't have another game like yesterday where he had problems controlling the ball in the first half. Billups also needs to have a better night than 1-8 until his Mr. Clutchy performance. Chucky Atkins will need to be able to provide a spark off of the bench. The Pistons will come in and play with confidence. The Pacers will not be able to hold the emotions of the Pistons down. Pistons win by 4, 90-86! BTW, sorry about the late preview, I couldn't do it earlier.
This game is highly hyped as it should be,like the Pistons/Spurs game it should be an all out war from start to finish.A very defensive minded game which I predicted for yesterday's game.Jermaine O'Neal v Ben Wallace really is a huge factor on who wins this game.Wallace has always played O'Neal tough,I expect the same again tonight Pistons by 3 I reckon,although It can go either way.
This is going to be the best game of the season, a dog fight all the way. I can't wait till it, it's going to be the best. Jermaine O'Neal vs. Ben Wallace is going to be amazing. We need to get Jermaine in foul trouble early and keep him in foul trouble. Big Ben usually has good preformances agagint Pacers too. Man I can't wait damnit. Pistons by 2!
This is very important for the Pistons, it's a very key matchup for two of the best in the East. However one game can't really depict who's better. Both teams pretty much rely on defense and will have to contain one another. I think Pacers are the stronger overall team, unless Ben Wallace takes them all out. Although I see this as a fierce and close battle. Pacers by 5.
Both teams are rolling right now, and both believe they can beat the other. Looking at their starting lineups, the two teams are so even. I'd hate to think that the coaches are the difference. This is an important game, a "bragging rights" game. I really think that the Pistons are a better team. They are more solid on boards, and lately they have been better at moving the ball around. The Pistons will have to stick to what they know and what they have been doing to win this game. They won't get past the Pacers by trying anything fancy. I'm trying to worry less, so...Pistons by 7.
I don't know who I want to win. I want the Pistons to beat the Pacers because I don't like the Pacers, whereas I want the Pacers to beat the Pistons to keep their winning streak from being as long as my teams', and so PyroManiac won't get the pleasure of a win. Hmm. If Artest can play like himself, I say the Pacers by 5.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know who I want to win. I want the Pistons to beat the Pacers because I don't like the Pacers, whereas I want the Pacers to beat the Pistons to keep their winning streak from being as long as my teams', and so PyroManiac won't get the pleasure of a win. Hmm. If Artest can play like himself, I say the Pacers by 5.</div> Haha, whatever man, you know you like Pyro! Speaking of streaks, anyone know what the longest was? Not that I think the Pistons could get it, I'm just curious as to what it was and I know I've heard it before but I don't feel like looking it up myself.
Nice preview. This one will be exciting to watch. I'm gonna go with the Pacers. I say Indy by 2-Reggie get on fire again.
Um...Crossover, first of all. Our streak is already as along as the Spurs was. (13 games). Second, as BigMemo says you know that you have no issues with me. We are buddies and only attack each other when there is a Pistons vs. Spurs game. BigMemo, it is a good thing that you are starting to worry less. I don't find my predictions worth anything though, as a fan I just can't go against the Pistons. In my predictions I will always say that we will win the game, unless we are on a 10 game losing streak. I just find it wrong to have no faith in your team. Oh and the longest winning streak was 33 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't find my predictions worth anything though, as a fan I just can't go against the Pistons. In my predictions I will always say that we will win the game, unless we are on a 10 game losing streak. I just find it wrong to have no faith in your team.</div> Yeah your attitude is on par with mine. Houston win all their games for the rest of the season!!
Nice Preview, but I think Indiana is the best in the East and they will prove it tonight, taking it by 5
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">Um...Crossover, first of all. Our streak is already as along as the Spurs was. (13 games). Second, as BigMemo says you know that you have no issues with me. We are buddies and only attack each other when there is a Pistons vs. Spurs game. BigMemo, it is a good thing that you are starting to worry less. I don't find my predictions worth anything though, as a fan I just can't go against the Pistons. In my predictions I will always say that we will win the game, unless we are on a 10 game losing streak. I just find it wrong to have no faith in your team. Oh and the longest winning streak was 33 games.</div> Was it the 1996 Chicago Bulls? Anyway, you're like the purehoops of the Pistons. I just don't want to allow you the satisfaction of your team's streak not only exceeding the Spurs', but also the happiness provided by your team beating the current top team in the East. Muahaha. Let's go, Indiana!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Was it the 1996 Chicago Bulls? Anyway, you're like the purehoops of the Pistons. I just don't want to allow you the satisfaction of your team's streak not only exceeding the Spurs', but also the happiness provided by your team beating the current top team in the East. Muahaha. Let's go, Indiana!</div> What a bond.... anyway, I'm not too sure who'll take this. I don't favor either but I agree, if Artest is Artest, Indiana will take this, hands down.
Pistons got their asses handed to them. Apparently, Benny Wallace couldn't shut down the more athletic Jermaine O'Neal on either end. Major rebounding and scoring on JO's part, with a couple of blocks on the side.
Like you said PyroManiac "The Pistons show the league who the East's best team really is". They certainly did tonight. That's why the Pacers are the best team in the East
Pistons playing their 6th game in 8 nights,it showed Wallace,Billups,Prince all looked tired.No real energy,Pacers jumped on the Pistons from the word go.Rick Carisle had a good game plan,he knew where the strengths and weaknesses for each player So Pistons 13 game winning streak snapped and Pacers win the season series with one game still to play.They are the best east team at this stage of the season,however they were this time last year and look what happened.
I like the team's individuals but never really supported the team. However I know they're good, one of the best, they definitely deserved the win and worth recognition. They really are the best team in the east, congratulations Pacers.
