<div align="center">http://espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/3006.jpg"> It As for Rasheed Wallace, like I've already mentioned, was clearly the X-factor in Game 4, and I expect him to do the same again tonight. He cannot get into an offensive slump because for one Detroit's offense isn't consistent, and two with Wallace's ineffectiveness, it'll put tremendous pressure on their backcourt to provide all the scoring. Wallace knows how close they are to a title, and he can definitely taste it. Advantage Tonight: Pistons <u>Centers</u> Even though Shaquille O'Neal will be seeing other big men besides Ben Wallace including Mehmet Okur and Elden Campbell, Ben gets the first crack at defending him, and I'm sure he realizes it won't be easy. What Wallace has to do is prove he won't be intimidated. He'll have to get in the paint, use all the strength and muscle he has, and try to keep him away from the basket. Of course he won't be able to do it alone, so double-teamming will be neccessary. Wallace is also an excellent rebounder, and he'll really be doing battle with Shaq trying to collect as much offensive, defensive, and second chance opportunities where he has succeeded the best so far. Since Detroit has a problem with scoring, Wallace must give his best contributions in those categories because you simply can't beat the Lakers if you only score 75-80 points. They'd need almost 85-88 points to be able to secure this victory and lock up the championship For The Diesel, it's simple. Shaquille O'Neal had a monster game two nights ago scoring 36 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. Shaq was almost welcoming the isolations and the double-teaming, that's how dominant he was. But due to selfishness and horrible jumpshooting by some of his Laker teammates, he was simply being ignored from the offense where the Lakers needed points the most in critical possessions. For Shaq, it's simple. Whatever he has to do to get his teammates attention on giving him the ball, let it happen. Shaq single-handedly kept the Lakers in the game the other night, and he has showed not only himself, but his teammates that he can have his way with Detroit whenever he wants. So if Kobe and his teammates can not be jealous and selfish, and allow Shaq to go for at least 45-50 (which couldn've happened) and deliver his team to a victory, then I'm pretty sure the Lakers will take that route. Advantage Tonight: Lakers <div align="center">Players To Watch Game 5 </div> <div align="center">Shaquille O'Neal & Rasheed Wallace</div> <div align="center">O'Neal: 28.3 pts, 11.50 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .25 steals Wallace: 13.5 pts, 9.50 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .50 steals</div> Emo's Prediction The Pistons have the ultimate stage set tonight. Playing in their own house, the Palace Of Auburn Hills with 22,076 screaming fans with a 3-1 lead and one game away from claiming an NBA championship. Would the Piston players want to give all that up and lose returning back to LA for Games 6 and 7? However on the Lakers standpoint, this has been a roller-coaster like season full of drama left and right, and miraculous shots back and forth, and in their minds they feel it's definitely not over. But from what I've seen through two games at the Palace due to the 68 point shellacking we suffered, to Kobe's inconsistencies and refusing to not give Shaq the ball, to Malone's injury, to Payton ineffectiveness, I really believe the Detroit Pistons will end it tonight. I feel bad that this could be my last preview of the season, but let me tell ya, it was a great first season here at JBB and many more to come.
Nice preview. This will be an interesting game to watch especially now that Kobe and Rick Fox guaranteed a victory. I think the Pistons will come away with this one in a very tight game.
No team has ever swept the middle 3 games of a 2-3-2 series. It will still remain that way after this game. Kobe guaranteed victory and he will do everything to do this, which I sadly predict that he will have a great game. Lakers will win this game.
Great players do not eat their words. Lakers will win this by 13 points. Kobe will free lance which is a bad thing, but it will actually help the Lakers tonight. This will be perhaps Kobe's most challenging game in his career, and it might be his greatest game too.
Nice preview as always Emo. This is my feeling on the Lakers attitude tonight. They need to look each other in the eyes and ask if they are willing to not only win tonight, but also the next 2 games in LA. If the team is not willing to lay it all out, then they should just end it tonight in Detroit and spare everyone from a letdown game in Los Angeles. I'm pulling for a Laker win tonight just so there is more basketball to be played for this season, and hopefully so they can regain momentum. The 1st quarter should dictate how the Lakers plan on playing this game. If we see the same careless fouls, poor rebounding, and jump shots instead of drives, then don't bother watching the rest of the game if you're a Laker fan because they will lose by a large margin. Go Lakers!!!!
There is no way the Lakers can lose tonight. That's the only way you can put it! Karl Malone (and GP, sort of.) Came here to do one thing... And that was to win. Karl has proved this season that "Greatness" can present itself in the form of 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. I remember as if it was just yesterday when Malone got that breakaway jam and reacted with his flexing maniac action... I was like I like him now. I hated him when he was in Utah, but, and I think I can safely speak for every fan here, when someone you hate joins your team... You just love them! GP, has been another story. He has had more downs than ups this year, but I believe he will kick himself out of that slump tonight. I know he can become the PG we need to win tonight. If he doesn't show up, we will be in big trouble. He has been incosistent and has talked a lot of trash about how he regrets coming to L.A. and all this other BS, but even through all that he was quoted saying: "I'm leaning towards coming back." Why? We may never know! But I know he won't let himself come this far just to lose to Det. Kobe is just a miracle in a package isn't he? I can't believe after all he has gone through (On and off the court) he is still in the NBA. I mean, MJ retired because his father had died. I'm sure Kobe thought about giving up basketball, but the fire inside him didn't let him... Thank God. And well, after all of his battles (Putting up with Shaq, Phil, etc.) and last millisecond heroics... He definately deserves it. After putting up with all this beef and guaranteeing a win, I doubt the Lakers will just lay down. I know they will fight like the Champs they were. That's all I have to say. Let's just go out there and fight, fight, fight! (REMEMBER the ALAMO!) Let's win it for us this team Lakers!
IMO the Lakers are not going to win because besides Kobe and Shaq nobody else has stepped up so I dont belive any one else will step up in the really big game,and Karl Malone isnt playing.
Time to cross our fingures and hope for a Kobe break out. If Kobe can just contribute by feeding Shaq it will definatly help him get involved. LETS GO LAKE SHOW!
I think the Lakers, well Kobe and Shaq, will pull together to give it their all. Its win or go home as the most important game of their season, expect them to cpome up big. As usual, the Lakers will need another player to come up big for them to win. The Pistons however, I do not expect them to go lax and have any sort of a sloppy game. I think it will be the hardest game of their season, and I think they will push on their chance to win a huge upset title in their court. Hope for a great game, I wont say expect, but hope for one of the best games of the season.
Shaq just picked up his second foul. The Lakers are off to a nice start, but this really makes it tough for the Lakers.
So far their off to a good start. Slava first 2 attempts were good and up 14 to 7. Liking this start and liking the fact Jack went down their to support the Lakers. :thumbsup:
Pistons go on a run right after Shaq gets benched. Kobe 1-5 so far tonight, once again settling for jumpshots. Unbelievable! The Lakers are also in the penalty already.
End of the 1st Quarter Pistons 25 :: Lakers 24 Key Numbers -------------- Pistons 8 FTA vs. 2 FTA for the Lakers Shaq has 2 personal fouls Lakers have more offensive boards 4 to 1 Lakers have 9 more FGA, but 1 less point Kobe is only 2-7 from the field (6 jumpers, 1 layup) Slava leads the Lakers with 8 points Billups has 5 assists already
With 3:30 minutes left to go in the 2nd Quarter, Shaq has just picked up foul #3 on an offensive foul. Derek Fisher also has 3 fouls and the Lakers are already down by 10 points. The Pistons are shooting about 60% from the field along with 14-18 from the charity stripe. The Lakers defense has taken a night off again, and with Shaq in foul trouble and Kobe struggling with his shot, the offense is going to be sparce in the 2nd half.
End of the 1st Half Pistons 55 :: Lakers 45 Key Numbers -------------- Pistons 18 FTA vs. 13 FTA for the Lakers Shaq has 3 personal fouls Offensive boards 5 to 5 Kobe shot only 2-7 from the field (6 jumpers, 1 layup) 1st Q Kobe shot only 2-5 from the field in the 2nd Q, but he's getting to the line more Slava becomes the first Laker to reach double digits besides Shaq & Kobe Billups has 5 assists already Fisher has 3 fouls and Okur has 3 fouls 8 Turnovers already for the Lakers Pistons are shooting 61% from the field, 20 makes on 14 assists, which is close to flawless basketball
Lakers down 55-45 at the half. The Lakers have not played well, especially on defense. Like they just mentioned, the Pistons are shooting over 60% from the floor. They have a ton of fast break opportunities due to the fact that the Lakers have turned the ball over far too much. If the Lakers keep playing this sloppy, there is no way they will come back to take this game. They've got to keep attacking the hoop with Bryant and stop forcing jump shots. Also, though the half court defense hasn't been terrible, they need to step it up on defense. The transition defense needs to be better, but, it's hard to be good on transition defense at times when the offense continually gives the ball up. So, things the Lakers must do come the 2nd half I think. First, they have to keep control of the ball. Too many transition buckets for the Pistons in the first half. Secondly, get Shaq going. He only had 7 points in the first half off of 3/7 fg attempts. Then, get Kobe some more lay up opportunities or just shots close to the hoop in general. And, if they manage, play better overall defense, not just in transition. If they can do that, they have a good chance at coming back. Hopefully they get those things done, because, if not, the Lakers will be eliminated tonight.
10 points at the half, I'll take it. Pistons have been playing pretty well, I can't really argue. We have been moving the ball and taking it inside. On defense we have been forcing turnovers and collapsing on the important players. Ben Wallace went off a bit at the end of the first half, got some shots, some rebounds, looked good out there. Same with Prince, first he broke Kobe's ankles, then he went off for some dunks, some steals. It has been good. Keep it from getting close Detroit and we can come out with a comfortable win. *Knocks on wood*
Half time, Pistons by ten, dominating without Rasheed in... The Lakers season,Malone's and Payton's rings, slowly fading away...and the Pistons must hold on for 24 mins...By the way, when Big Ben makes a fast break you kow the other teams in trouble
