@ Game:<u><font color="Red">Miami Heat (23-7)</font></u> @ Detroit Pistons Date: 12/30/04 TV: TNT <font size="4">Starting Line-ups </font> Center: Shaq vs Ben Wallace Advantage: <font color="Red">Heat</font> Big Ben is a test for Shaq being a 2 time defensive player of the year but as Shaq showed in the Finals he is capable of putting up some great numbers against this defensive beast and I think that the dominant offense of Shaq will beat Big BEns dominant defense. Power Forward: Udonis Haslem vs Rasheed Wallace Advantage: <font color="Blue">Pistons</font> Hmmm Rasheed is an NBA veteran who is a very good player while Udonis is a sophomore undrafted surprise. As much as I love Udonis I'd have to give the edge to Rasheed. Rasheed is bigger, stronger, better at scoring points and getting those rebounds and can shoot the three. Small Forward: Eddie Jones vs Tayshaun Prince Advantage: <font color="Blue">Pistons</font> Eddie Jones is going to have a guy on him who can shut Kobe Bryant down so I don't think Eddie Jones will have much luck. If Tayshaun is having a bad defensive night then Eddie can easily have this match up such as when LeBron James scored his career high 43 points on Tayshaun. Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade vs Rip Hamilton Advantage: <font color="Red">Heat</font> This one is close, as Rip Hamilton has unlimited amount of energy but Wade is clearly the more talented player. This match up can go either way, but Wade will most likely show why he is deserving of an all-star spot. Point Guard: Damon Jones vs Chauncy Billups Advantage: <font color="Blue">Pistons</font> Well Chauncy is bigger and stronger than Damon Jones. He also has better ball handiling and passing skills. THe only thing Damon has on him is 3 PT shooting and that is what the Heat need him to do. <font size="4"> Key Matchup</font> PPG 21.5 RPG 10.8 APG 3.0 SPG .34 BPG 2.62 FG% .607 FT% .455 PPG 10.0 RPG 12.6 APG 2.0 SPG 1.44 BPG 3.00 FG% .444 FT% .455 <font color="Red"> <font size="5">Heat Keys to the Game</font> </font> 1. No easy baskets- The Pistons heat up when they get easy baskets such as a dunk from BEn Wallace or a open three with Tayshaun or a open midrange from Rip,etc. Play defense on them. THeir offense isn't the greatest and we should be able to make them shoot a low % from the field. 2. Ben can be a threat- this year Ben has some sort of offensive game and he's not afraid to take shots. When Ben gets close Shaq needs to get a hand in his fae. If Ben shoots a long jumper let him take it, he'll probably miss. 3. Shaq needs to stay in the lane- Don't let them lure Shaq out of our lane. When t eams do that they just pass to an open guy for an easy basket. Shaq DO NOT move too far away from that basket. Prediction: This game does down to the final seconds like last game except it's a different ending. Heat win 88-86. My 2nd crappy preview
I think the Heat's streak will be snapped here. Detroit seems to play better against good teams then worse teams. Shaq will once again outplay Big Ben, no doubt, but I'm having a feeling Hamilton will heat up(no pun intended) once again and will dominate Damon Jones(He will guard him) It should be close, but with Rasheed having his dominance over Haslem(not much though, but there's still a gap between those 2). I don't expect Wade to play an outstanding game, giving Detroit's great defence (when they want to, at least) and that shall be the key. Detroit - 85 Heat - 80 BTW, A good preview for your 2nd time.
I think we can pull this one out our asses... The Pistons are in somewhat of a offense funk. They can't seem to buy any baskets. All game vs NJ they were clanking everything until the 4th quarter... hopefully they are off against us aswell.
Hopefully SVG tells Shaq to forget defending the pick and roll...otherwise, the Heat will lose this one. Shaq HAS to stay in the paint on defense. If Shaq keeps in the paint, Heat will win...87-84. If Shaq comes out to defend the pick and roll, the Pistons will beat Miami 92-87.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">Hopefully SVG tells Shaq to forget defending the pick and roll...otherwise, the Heat will lose this one. Shaq HAS to stay in the paint on defense. If Shaq keeps in the paint, Heat will win...87-84. If Shaq comes out to defend the pick and roll, the Pistons will beat Miami 92-87.</div> If he doesn't chase the ball-handler and the one defending Billups, Hamilton, Prince or Rasheed(pick your poison) can't fight trough the pick-and-roll the Heat will lose also. When the Pistons are shooting below .400 Shaq doesn't need to come out. When they do, he has no choice, I think. Or Van Gundy needs to find a great Zone D-system.
This should be a great game. Last time at the Palace, the Heat got ripped off. I'm not talking about the last second Rasual Butler shot, I'm talking about when Eddie Jones "supposedly knocked the ball" out of bounds, although Rip was the last one to touch it. Everybody on the post-game show agreed, and it should've been Heat ball up 1 with 4 seconds left. What a shame.
Ya ya the Palace is one of the worst places to play at 1. I remember in the Finals last year the Lakers were in their hotels in Detroit and the Pistons fans were standing outside screaming at them and crap. 2. November 20th? 3. Refs make bad calls a lot. Last year in the Finals and as X-Con said that last game at the Palace.
Rip had the last touch in the last meeting? no, It was actually Eddie Jones who knocked It out of bounds. It was a correct call. This should be a good game, Ben Wallace will be playing unlike last time and the Pistons normally get up for the big games. It's the bad teams they normally slack off against. Shaq also seems to be cursed at the palace, he hasn't won there in at least his last 5 visits. Obviously you guys are playing very good basketball but all streaks have to come to an end, would be fitting If It ends to the champions. Obviously the Pistons will need to play alot better than they currently are to beat Miami, otherwise the Heat will win by double fiqures.
I think the Heat will win this one and extend the streak. I think Hamilton wont be able to guard Wade tonight and he will have a big game. I think the Heat defense will be the key in this game. Heat-97 Pistons-89
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Rip had the last touch in the last meeting? no, It was actually Eddie Jones who knocked It out of bounds. It was a correct call. This should be a good game, Ben Wallace will be playing unlike last time and the Pistons normally get up for the big games. It's the bad teams they normally slack off against. Shaq also seems to be cursed at the palace, he hasn't won there in at least his last 5 visits. Obviously you guys are playing very good basketball but all streaks have to come to an end, would be fitting If It ends to the champions. Obviously the Pistons will need to play alot better than they currently are to beat Miami, otherwise the Heat will win by double fiqures.</div> Yeah, I had a clip of that when they were reviewing it. It was Eddie. However, the Pistons OR the Heat can't let the game get that close. There's going to be disputes like that at the end of the game...there always is. The Heat need to take a big lead going into the fourth if they want this game. The Pistons need to step it up and play tough defense, and Ben Wallace needs to be a scorer in this game, as well as a defender. Ben may see some open looks under the rim if Shaq pulls away to guard the pick and roll (I've mentioned this already). This is important to the Pistons in this game. If Wade gets hot in the 4th, Tay will have to defend him. If Eddie's shooting over 45% at the same time, this game will more than likely be over.
Hmmm The Advantage the Pistons have is homecourt other than that I would be VERY confident in the Heat. Shaq will probably play harder IMO because of that bad loss a few weeks ago on national TV. THis game should be good. I think it will be close throught the whole game. A few things are different. THe Heat are on fire and the Pistons have Ben Wallace. THis game could go either way.
<u>I think we can pull this one out our asses... The Pistons are in somewhat of a offense funk. They can't seem to buy any baskets. All game vs NJ they were clanking everything until the 4th quarter... hopefully they are off against us aswell.</u>-orginally posted by mr. wade<u></u>. Scoring 107 points versus washington is not an offensive funk.
Shaq can't step out and defend the pick and roll. Why is he doing this? This game would be easier if he didn't do that (like I previously mentioned). Wade is having a great offensive game, but his defense against Hamilton is just terrible. Hamilton is playing so well off the ball, it looks like he's a sophomore trying to start for a HS varsity team.
That's how you do it, great game, Wade got his 10th rebound right at the end from a tip from Shaq to register his first career triple double. Hinrich was the only one from last year's crew who had gotten one till today. Shaq stopped coming out and trying to challenge on the pick and roll, and stayed inside to provide interior defensive help, which was a big help for the team. The Heat were able to pull it through down the stretch, and connect on offense while making defensive stops. Wade did exactly what you should do, drive at the defense as opposed to settling for jumpshots which is what the Pistons want you to do, and he was able to have a great game even though he had a few turnovers on offensive fouls. Wade seemed to have a slight limp though, nothing big, but the knee is still a little bothersome, but nothing that will really affect his play.
Great game by the Heat. What in the world is going on in Detroit? I just noticed their record...geez.
Good game by the Heat to pick up our 13th straight win. Wade was a beast tonight. He kept on attacking the basket and Detroit couldnt stop him.
That 4th quarter showed that right now Miami are the best team in the east, they played tough defense and made plays when It mattered. Or should I say Wade made plays. This guy is simply sick, he really plays the game the right way. Instead of settling for jumpshots he attacks the rim and draws fouls.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Accord:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq said he is going to be wearing this flak jacket for the rest of his career.</div> No I think he said for the rest of this season. I don't know you could be right. This was a big game for Miami, they beat the defending champs at their home court. The have proved they are the best in the East by far. Shaq was killing us in the 2nd quarter, his shots just wouldn't go in. It was kind of funny when Ben Wallace pulled the chair on him and he missed that dunk Alright enough with the Shaq disses. Shaq had a mediocre game but Wade was just............. WOW. Triple double and all. This kid is fudgein good. GETTING THE TRIPLE DOUBLE BEFORE LEBRON O YEA!! GO HEAT!! Extending the streak to 13th. Also setting the franshise best record in a month of a record of 14-1 for December 2004
Jason Jackson came on and said he talked to Shaq and Shaq said he wants to wear if for the rest of his career. If he wears it for the rest of his career, he's got to get something that looks a little better, that white undershirt is HIDEOUS .
