maximusveritas

The Spurs are looking unbeatable right now. Without Joe Johnson in those first two games, the Suns just lost any hope of winning this series. The Spurs are too solid of a team to lose 4 in a row. As much as it hurts to say, this one is over.
And unless Shaq gets back to full strength miraculously, the Spurs will win the championship.

dylanmarsh

Three words: Boston Red Sox.

Omar12

Hm... Spurs ain't no Yankees.

Great victory for Miami to go ahead in the series.

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Cross-Over

It has never happened in the NBA though.

dlish

ok, im not an american...so what did the boston red sox do? im assuming they came back and won all do-or-die games to win the championship? what year was this?

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powerclown

The Pistons are driving me crazy! As a team, they played like absolute shit. Absolute fucking garbage out there tonight. Where was Ben Wallace? Why was 2004 Finals MVP Billups playing like a mediocre high school player? And 13 points from Sheed in a game of this magnitude - from someone who has the talent to score 30 a game - there's no excuse for that. They acted like they were playing a november game against New Orleans on the road. I'm beginning to think this is an NBA thing where they are fixing games to prolong this series, to make up for tv/attendance revenue lost in the debacle that is the Spurs/Dones series. I just can't understand the Pistons poor performance so far in this series.

Cross-Over

Yes, the Red Sox won 4 games in a row, after losing the first three games in a seven game series. This happened last year, in a semifinal match up of two great teams. The Red Sox went on to sweep the championship series.

Kurant

Shaq, was Shaq. Getting doubled, making the pass, and the guys knocked down shots. You realize Wade only made 3 field goals in the 2nd half? The Pistons owned that game during that huge defensive lockdown. They allowed transition with poor shot selection, Eddie Jones came up huge. Allowed Miami to get back into the game.

With Shaq at 40% (So he says) he's still better at dominating the paint then anyone else in the leauge. When he's active, making passes, and the roleplayers knock down shots, like last night- Detriot will NOT beat Miami if it continues like this. I said from the beginning. If the Detroit bench cannot play well and defend Wade in those minutes, they can't win. Well, the bench is playing superb, and playing tenacious D on Wade, and Detriot still can't win. Wade MUST stop getting the ball at the top of the key. Trap, play zone, somthing. No one can stop him when he's by himself, no team in the NBA can rotate fast enough to beat him on the dribble. It just can't be done. The only way to beat Wade, is to contest every jumper, make him make bad choices, and hope he misses that step back jumpshot.

I still think Detroit wins this series, but they HAVE to double Shaq, or he eats them alive, And if he makes that pass, and those guys knock down shots. No one can beat them, no one. If Miami's role players step up beat you, what else can you do? Go home, I guess.

I've felt all year when Haslem knocks down that 15 foot jumper, Miami is close to unbeatable. He's open everywhere on the floor when Shaq is doubled. I've always felt he made the biggest difference to that team when he's shooting the ball well.

Nimbletoe

Don't kid yourself. The Heat played pretty well last night, but the Pistons beat themselves. That is a very rare occurance, and won't happen again. I expect the Pistons to dominate game 4.

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Go Pistons!

Spartak

Leafs and Islanders would be more probable.

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dylanmarsh

I go with what I know.



edit: Amare's block on Duncan may be the turning point in this series, just as Dave Roberts' steal against Rivera turned that series around.

SAM821

I think people are underestimating miami, they played just one poor game, and lost, I think that had to do more with the fact that they had 8 days off, and were not in game playing shape (they were rusty) rather than just not being a better team... you saw in game 3 what miami is all about. Its been happening like this all year, they put teams away. I Think Miami wins games 4 and 5.

Omar12

I did a comment that Miami does not rely only on Shaq and Wade only and I got a laugh for it. They have a great team, and because of their team, they are where they are now. The Jones will come up big when Miami needs them most. The bench is playing great, Mourning, Dooling, Laetner, Butler.

They are making shots, they are breaking the defense, and in the defensive end, they are making Detroit take tough shots.

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"If I haven't seen it its new to me"

maximusveritas

well, the Suns took the first step tonight. Game 6 is going to be the trouble spot, but at least the Suns have a chance. Amare came up huge to close the game, but the difference was Joe Johnson. He just gives them a whole new dimension on both ends. If he had played the first 2 games, I have no doubt the Suns would be winning this series or at least even, but that's the way it goes.
I still think the Spurs are too strong and well-coached to lose the next 3, but I'm hoping for the best.

Nimbletoe

If Dwayne Wade was not on that team, they would not still be playing. If Shaquille O'Neal was not on that team, they would not still be playing. How is that not dependence? Sure, the other guys can play alright from time to time, maybe even have a great night once in awhile. But to say the Miami Heat don't depend on Shaq or Wade (hell, even their COACH said they depend on Shaq), is just plain wrong. Sorry.

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powerclown

You have to wonder what ESPN reporting Larry Brown leaving Detroit for Cleveland next year has to do to the morale of the Pistons. Pretty rotten timing, I don't see the point of coming out with this DURING the Eastern Conference finals.

SAM821

With all due respect, and considering that you guys just won tonight... If Rip Hamilton was not on the team, you guys would not be playing, if Chauncy Billips or Rasheed Wallace was not on the team, you guys would not be playing either... Dude, the fact is, if you take the two best players off of ANYONE's team, where were they be??? Obviously Miami is nothing without Shaq and Wade, but does that take away anything they've done? I dont know... I understand what the guy was trying to say, but I must say the heat have held there own again the Pistons with a "40%" Shaq...

By the way, the officiating was disgusting tonight... We'll see you guys in Miami.

Spartak

The officiating in the Spurs/Suns game was bizzarre to say the least, both teams getting OUTRAGEOUS calls.

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Nimbletoe

I'd take the Pistons minus any one of their starters over Miami minus Shaq of Wade any day. And besides, I never denied that. All you just did was prove my point. You can't say that a team doesn't depend on their best players. If Miami didn't depend on Shaq, they wouldn't pay him as much as they did.

Oh, and Shaq saying he's 40% is laughable. He might be hurting, but cmon. If you watch the games you can tell he isn't at less then half health.

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crossova

SPURS

No questions asked

SAM821

Yes I was kind of agreeing with you, BUT also giving you a your same poison. You are right about if you took away Shaq or Wade, that the heat would not be in THIS series anymore (I doubt they would have lost to the nets or washington with/without shaq) But what I'm trying to say is It goes for Detroit too, could they have gotten past Indiana missing Rip or Chauncy or something? I dont know... thats all i was saying...

and Shaq at 40%, I was just playing thats why i quoted it... I think he is only like 75% though, he definitly isnt in perfect health...

Nimbletoe

I didn't make that claim. I agree with you, an injury to Billups is what killed us a few years back. I wouldn't say that we don't need all five of our starters to beat Miami, because we do.

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Nimbletoe

Hahahaha, Duncan got kicked in the nuts and there was no call. Oh yeah, the refs are being fair.

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Cross-Over

The Spurs are a great team. When the Suns got out of the gates with that great run, all the analysts were saying that they wouldn't be able to play that way in the playoffs. Well, as the season went on, and the Suns kept winning, people backed off that point. I never did, not because I knew something others didn't, but because history speaks for itself. The Lakers always played good defense, not consistently, but had the ability. The Spurs were a very good defensive team....the Bulls were always a very good defensive team....the Pistons were a good defensive team.

The Suns did well in the playoffs, as well as the Mavericks did two years ago.

Teams like the Suns just don't win NBA championships in this era.

dlish

good D will always win you games..on the other hand, so does great offense..but as the coach used to say "great Dis the key"

go you spurs!!!!!

oh yeah..and i was right after all..4-1 spurs.

my prediction.. 4-2 spurs to win championship against miami.

__________________
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dylanmarsh

You are the brilliant, blinding light of NBA knowledge. Perhaps ESPN will hire you and send that walking cliche, Bill Walton, back to the hippie commune.

Cross-Over

Look back in the thread; I have given well thought opinions throughout. You chime in with a few comments here and there, and then bite at me with some sarcasm. So yeah, compared to your input, I would feel comfortable being hired at ESPN.

Suns lost, it is unfortunate for them. In the words of the immortal dylanmarsh...

Three Words: Don't be bitter

slushi999

How does Pistons/Miami outlook game 5 look everyone?

powerclown

Ask the Refs.

But I'm also the one who picked the Duns to go all the way. What a flame-out they turned out to be.

Detroit v Miami, game 5. Looking forward to it...the teams seem to be evenly matched. I would say Detroit has a better chance to win if Shaq keeps the bench warm with foul trouble, and Chauncey Billups must have a great game. Miami has a better chance to win if Detroit comes out flat (which is typical, lately) can't score (which is typical, lately), and if Shaq plays over 30 minutes.

dylanmarsh

Sorry, I was hung over and still pissed this morning from the loss. Humility can be a nice personality trait here, though.

powerclown

Detroit waits until Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals to play possibly the worst, flattest, most boring game I've ever seen them play. Absolute garbage, every one of them tonight. The ONLY redeeming thing about the game was watching the Heat cheerleaders shake their asses, in slow-mo. That was cool.

Looks like they're going 7.

Omar12

I admit I was not clear with my point. Sure, both players are the essential parts of the team, being the leaders of the team. But what I the point I tried to tell is that if they are shut down or don't hit anything, they have a good team that can do their corresponding roles. I was in a way comparing to last years Lakers, that they had a good team, but in the end, they depended on Kobe or Shaq for a W, this Miami team is not entirely like that.

Tonight, finally Haslem was not playing scared like the previous 4 games, and he did a double-double, and that was a big difference today. Wade did not played the 4th quarter and they maintained a good lead against the Pistons, and it was because of their team and good bench. I hope Wade can play for the next game so that the Finals start. I'm looking forward for a great game 6, Pistons are tough, as well as the Heat.

I just hope I'm more clear this time.

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Kurant

Say what you want, Miami is ALOT better then anyone thought they were. I wanted them to, but i never thought they'd be ahead 3-2 in this series. I personally think Detroit is a far superior team, they just lack depth. Never the less, I never would have thought they'd lose this series. It's Larry Brown for christ sake, there is a still a great chance Detroit wins this thing.

Like I said in another post. Shaq plays well, and Miami's roleplayers knock down shots, Miami will win this series. So far, they've done that. I thought Detroit played a typical Pistons-esqe type game on Tuesday, and they only won by 10. With Shaq in foul trouble only playing 21 minutes (I think) and Wade even though he scored 28, essentially shut down, the Pistons still never had complete control. The Heat were within 6 twice after being down 14.

I still like Detroit in the series, but Shaq somehow, is doing it agian. But I get lots of satisfaction watching Detroit lose after all those ass-whoopings they gave my Bulls in the late 80's just made me hate them. =)

Nimbletoe

I would have said it's over for Detroit until I read about Wade not practicing. Not a good sign, pulled muscles hurt like a bitch. After our game 5, however, we don't really deserve it. Yes, there were a LOT of absolutley awful calls against us, but that shouldn't matter as much as it did. I personally loved the offensive foul when Sheed was fricking leaning the opposite way of his defender. Brilliant.

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Nimbletoe

Miami is done, and even if Detroit goes on to beat SA, everyone will always say "but if Wade wasn't injured, you guys would have lost". Definite lose lose, even though I still think we would have won game 6 even if they had Wade.

I'll be really REALLY suprised if Miami wins game 7. I saw Wade in person today, since I work security at the Palace. The guy couldn't even walk right, and was wincing going up some steps. If he plays Monday, give that man a medal.

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powerclown

The single most devastating thing that could have happened to the Heat....has happened! Except for Shaq, the Heat were Lifeless out there Saturday night. Wade out with the injury undoubtedely helped Detroit to the almost 30 point win. Conversely, if Wade manages to return and play on Monday, it could be just the kind of inspirational lift the Heat desperately need to win game 7. As bad as Detroit was in game 5 -- Miami was even worse in game 6. This entire series hasn't exactly been the stuff of Conference Finals legendary matchups.

It's Detroit's to lose on Monday night.

powerclown

This, from ESPN today:

Oh boy.

powerclown

Cross-Over

Good win by Detroit, Hamilton was fantastic. He kept Miami on their heels as he was coming off screens, and either hit the shot or made the assist. He played a very efficient game.

With two minutes left and Miami up two, Shaq passed the ball back out of the post to Damon Jones. Jones then went airborn like a idiot, and turned the ball over leading to a fast break deuce that tied up the game. The game wasn't won or lost on that play, but Jones royally fucked up

Nimbletoe

All I can say is that time and time again, we prove the naysayers wrong. Shaq and Wade both had great games, and it still wasn't enough. They may have been hurting, but they still put up the same numbers, and we still came though. Awesome. Pistons over the Spurs in 6 baby.

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