NBA Playoff$ Predictions
 

1st Round

MIA def. NJN in 5
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
WAS def. CHI in 7

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 7
DAL def. HOU in 6

2nd Round

MIA def. WAS in 5
DET def. IND in 5

PHX def. DAL in 6
SAS def. SEA in 5

Conference Finals

SAS def. PHX in 7
DET def. MIA in 7

NBA Finals

SAS def. DET in 6

In case you were wondering, here are the trading lines for the first round. I placed bets (www.tradesports.com) on Indiana, Seattle, and Washington. My Trail Blazers totally bombed out this season so I had to find a way to entertain myself. Please post your playoff predictions and/or comments on the odds available at tradesports.com.

Miami vs. New Jersey 87.7/12.3
Detroit vs. Philadelphia 91.5/8.5
Boston vs. Indiana 52.6/47.4
Chicago vs. Washington 55/45

Phoenix vs. Memphis 90.2/9.8
San Antonio vs. Denver 82/18
Seattle vs. Sacramento 50.9/49.1
Dallas vs. Houston 66.8/33.2

Here's my predictions:

MIA def. NJN in 6
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
WAS def. CHI in 6

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 6
HOU def. DAL in 7

2nd Round

MIA def. WAS in 5
DET def. IND in 4

PHX def. HOU in 6
SAS def. SEA in 6

Conference Finals

PHX def. SAS in 7
MIA def. DET in 6

NBA Finals

PHX def. MIA in 7

1st round:

PHX def. MEM in 5
HOU def. DAL in 7
SAC def. SEA in 7
SAS def DEN in 6

MIA def. NJN in 5
WAS def. CHI in 7
BOS def. IND in 7
DET def. PHL in 5

2nd round:

PHX def. HOU in 7
SAS def. SAC in 5

MIA def. WAS in 6
DET def. BOS in 6

Conference Finals:

SAS def. PHX in 6
MIA def. DET in 6

NBA Finals:

SAS def. MIA in 6

im just gonna skip all the other rounds and go straight to the finals and say heat over spurs in 7

Detroit over Pheonix in 6.

Not much faith in Chicago with everyone predicting them to exit in the first round? 1-0 up they are at the moment though, with a good win over Washington last night.

I factored in that Washington won the regular season series, and that the Bulls are missing Deng and Curry. Despite this, I still picked it to go 7 games. I definitely respect the Bulls' ability.

Oh yeah, since Washington is my home team, I have to mention that win for the Bulls at home was what they were supposed to do ;)

MIA def. NJN in 6
DET def. PHL in 5
IND def. BOS in 7
CHI def. WAS in 7

PHX def. MEM in 5
SAS def. DEN in 6
SEA def. SAC in 7
HOU def. DAL in 5

2nd Round

MIA def. CHI in 5
DET def. IND in 6

PHX def. HOU in 5
SAS def. SEA in 4

Conference Finals

PHX def. SAS in 7
MIA def. DET in 7

NBA Finals

PHX def. DET in 6

PURE, COMPLETE RIGHT OUT OF MY ASS GUESSES... Anyone else think Phoenix is that strong??? Anyone else think Detroit is still the real thing? Anyone think Shaq can take it all the way in Miami?

I'm gonna skip everything, and make a very bold prediction...

I like Phoenix - Detroit fina.

However, if Yao and McGrady play that well consistantly, NO ONE can stop Yao when he is that aggresive. And no ones ever been able to contain McGrady.

I like Detroit in 6 over the Suns or the Rockets.

No, I don't think Phoenix can hang with a team that has good transition defense, and good inside presence, that can shoot high %'s from the field. Because they can't run. They run 1 half court set, and thats Stoudamire(sp) running around setting screens and picks anywhere the ball is. If Pheonix can't run, Phoenix won't win. Detroit on the defensive end, and in transition, is money.

Detroit over Pa-Ho-Nix in 6 or 7.

I believe the 2 have played eachother twice this year, splitting wins. I think Detroit will definitely beat the Heat for the conference, but PHX may have trouble with the Spurs, depending on Duncan's ankle. Detroit is a better team than they were last year, and look what they did last year. I don't place too much stock in a teams regular season record ever since Houston (47-35) swept Orlando (57-25) in the '95 Finals.

The reason Detroit will beat the Heat is because if Detroit can stop Shaq and Kobe, they can stop Shaq and Wade. Detroit has Shaq all figured out by now, and although Wade is good, he's no Kobe yet.

People knock Detroit for their 'slow', defensive style play. I think this can be true to an extent, but when the Pistons are shooting well and sharing the ball, like they have been so far in the playoffs, they are unstoppable.

Miami over the Spurs in 5. Yep... five.

Just finished watching the Spurs beat the Sonics. Very exciting to watch, Seattle is a very different team at home. Their crowd is ultra-noisy and supportive.

A couple thoughts about tonight's game:

Danny Fortson is a dirty player and just an all around idiot. The guy committed at least two flagrant fouls in the series, and could have been called for several more. He hurts his team, could hurt other players, and to top it off, the big goon wears his hair in pigtails.

Shame on a good chunk of Seattle fans for loudly cheering when Duncan went down in what appeared to be another ankle injury in the 4th quarter. He is lying down on the floor grabbing at his foot, and the crowd is cheering. When Duncan got up and was able to walk it off (he had to get up and shoot the free throws or he isn't allowed to remain in the game), a noticeable portion of the crowd starts to boo him. Shameful.

Miami over Detroit in 6

San Antonio over Phoenix in 7

Miami Over San Antonio in 6 Games

Miami does not depend only on Shaq and Wade, they have a great bench, and great outside shooters.

Hehehehehehehe.

Detroit over Miami in 6.

After watching the Pistons muddle through to another mediocre win over a mediocre team, it was refreshing to watch the Sonics-Spurs game. The Sonics went down fighting to the end, and their home crowd was in a frenzy. Great game!

The Pistons/Pacers series has been frustrating to watch. Detroit was sooo inconsistent. Going 8 or 9 minutes without scoring is painful to watch. They made an average team look like contenders.

Now the REAL playoffs begin, and the 2 best teams in the East will play. The Pistons need to kick it up a notch, or they're going to have an early summer. Talentwise, I still think Detroit is the best in the league. It should be a great series, if the Pistons decide not to take too many nights off. I hope youre right Nimbletoe.

Detroit in 7.

Here are some commercials Nike has been running during the playoffs. The theme is "Nature of the Hunt". Quite enjoyable.

Nike - Fire (Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons)

Nike - Eagle (Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks))

Nike - Frog (Earl Boykins, Denver Nuggets)

Nike - Lion (LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, for now...)

Great win by Phoenix tonight. Down by 16 in the 3rd with Amare in foul trouble, Nash and Marion just took over the game.

As far as the conference finals matchups, I still like my original predictions.

Steve Nash is playing the best basketball of his life. Tim Duncan, on the other hand, is not playing at full capacity. If Joe Johnson comes back ready to go and Amare can get it going again, the Suns should beat the Spurs. Whatever happens though, it's gonna be a great series.

I also like Miami to win. Detroit barely beat an average Pacers team. How are they going to beat the Heat? I don't think they can step it up in time, especially without home court. They don't have the spark that they had last year.

Barely beat? Yes, it went 6 games, but barely is definitley pushing it. And the Pacers are MILES better than Chicago or Washington. Besides, the Pistons turn it on when they have to. Proof of that is in last year's playoffs. I don't agree with them constantly flipping the switch, but it's worked thus far.

Shaq is hurting. Detroit has proven they can slaughter teams with one or two stars and a mediocre supporting cast. We won't have to double Shaq at all, and can focus on Wade and the few shooters Miami has. No way are they winning this series.

whoever wins the western conference will no doubt win the series..ive always been a spurs fan, so im hoping it'd be san antonio..but if duncan can be subdued and ginobili has an offgame, then they can be beaten..only phoenix can assert that much pressure... miami is in with a chance, but with shaq out, i doubt alonzo could step up game after game like he used to a few years back.

Sure, if Shaq is really hurt that changes everything, but I'm not sure he is. He may not be 100%, but i think he'll be good enough to suit up and play every night, which should be good enough.
Then again, Miami hasn't been forthcoming with his actual status, so he may be more injured than we know. We'll see.

Simply not true. At full capacity they are indeed better than both. However, Washington split the season series with this Indiana team. Three out of the four (Miller, O’Neal, Tinsley, and Jackson) were playing each game for Indiana. Washington won their games without Larry Hughes or Kwame Brown.

Washington, despite losing 4 starters for an extended period of time (Haywood, Hughes, Hayes, and Brown) during the regular season, still finished ahead of Indiana and split the season series. Those are the facts. “MILES” better huh? Not close.

The point maximusveritas is probably trying to make is that Detroit did not dominate either series. The Pistons needed overtime to prevent Philly from tying up the series 2 games to 2. The Pistons needed to just flat out win to prevent going down 1 game to 3 to the Pacers.

The Miami Heat swept New Jersey and Washington with a hobbled and missing Shaq.

Down almost 20, and Phoenix scores 13 straight points IN 2 MINUTES to beat Dallas!?!?!

I can barely eat a slice of toast in 2 minutes.


2005 NBA World Champions: Steve Nash & Co.

The Pistons have never "dominated" a series. They didn't have a sweep last year, they're not going to have one this year. That isn't how they play. They turn it on when it matters, so using that against them as a measure of how good they play isn't correct.

Washington was one of the most overrated teams of this year, and that was exposed by the Heat. Jamison is overrated, and while they have great guards, they don't have much else. Brown is pathetic, and unless something changes in him, will never go anywhere. Beyond that... well, there are a few ok support guys, but no one that could really step up.

Of course teams beat Indiana in the regular season this year. They were so hobbled during the season between injuries and suspensions, it's a shock they made the playoffs. Do you think that if Washington lost their backcourt for 20 games, or one of their guards for the entire season they would have still made the playoffs? Indiana is a very deep team, I don't see how you can think Washington could hold a candle to them. Do you think that Indiana would have been swept by a Shaq-less Heat? Not a chance. Indiana were favorites to win before the brawl. They didn't have Artest, O'Neal's shoulder was obviously killing him, and they still brought the defending world champs to 6 games.

My mom could score 13 points in ONE minute on that lousy defense. Did you see Terry stand there and watch Nash bury the tying three? PUT YOUR ARMS UP OR SOMETHING MAN! Damn.

Because they did during the regular season. They couldn't play fantasy games against a full Indiana squad, so all we have to judge the matchup on is the actual games that were played.

Reread what I wrote, we are discussing the current Indiana team. I even started my first response saying that at full capacity Indiana are better than the Wizards. This Indiana team though, yes, Washington can hold a candle to them.

Would you agree, though, that withOUT Nash in the line-up, the Suns would've lost that series? Nash proved his worthiness for the MVP award by destroying big D.

Do you know how much the regular season doesn't matter?


|----------------------------------------------------------------|


That much.

Wasn't denying that. Was just saying, he had some help from Dallas getting those points :P

EDIT: Oh, I just reread what you said, and i'll deny all day long that Nash deserved the MVP award. Bill Simmons summed up best how I feel on the topic. I'd copy/paste, but there's a lot there.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...s/cowbell/blog

Solid road win for the Pistons. Came out with energy, which is unusual for Detroit as they are notoriously slow starters. Sheed got it rolling early...love it. OK game from Hamilton, very, very sharp in the first half. Billups was fine, McDyess was fine. Arroyo played confidently.

Big Ben did a good job against Shaq, and he scored as well. Expected more from Miami, more points, more energy. No fear on the Pistons' faces - calm and businesslike...the Heat looked anxious to me. Prince shut down Wade just like he shut him down earlier in the year, love this matchup. A good start to the series for Detroit.

Wade had his best Peyton-Manning-after-playing-the-Patriots face going after about the fifth time he was denied/missed in the lane. If he can't find his way, this is going to be a short series.

if spurs get over the suns (1-0 at present) then spurs the whole way. i have a feeling it wont be a close series..spurs 4-1 over suns.

who's talking bad about my wizards? huh, huh? overrated? we werent even rated before the season started. im happy we got into the second round, but we should have at least pulled a game off of the heat (but we are miserable at defense so i saw the sweep coming).

but, im ready for the pistons and suns to go at it in the finals... should be good!

Now, now, no borrowing of descriptors from Bill Simmons! ;)

As much as I love the Suns, I think a Spurs-Pistons final would be a great series. I really do not want the Heat in the finals.

2 things killed the Pistons this evening:

1) 31 of 81 shooting
2) Dwayne Wade scoring the 40. Gotta hand it to the guy, he is awesome when he's on. He reminds me of a smaller Kobe Bryant - obscenely athletic. He found his way tonight, eh Nimbletoe?

On paper, it should be Advantage: Detroit, having won a game in Miami, the next 2 in Detroit. But the Pistons have been too inconsistent to say they automatically go up 3-1. It's looking to be a very good series.

There is no way to predict what is going or what should happen. Last year, Detroit struggled to beat a NJ team led by a hobbled Jason Kidd in 7 games, but then played well against Indiana in 6, and were spectacular against L.A in 5. Miami has played great all year, but have a hobbled Shaq. However, they picked up an All Star, Defensive player of the year, and All NBA'er for nothing. Mourning has been a huge addition.

Game 1: If you are a Miami fan, despite Sheed shooting 70% from the field and 80% from downtown (well below his norms) and being outplayed through the first 3 quarters, you still tied up the game in the 4th.

Game 2: If you are a Detroit fan, you can say the despite enduring nearly double digits in turnovers from your PG and shooting 38% for the game, you went into the 4th with a lead.

Good points CO...

Billups is playing extremely un-Billups like, 8 TO's is off the charts, but in crunch time I'll put my money on him over any other Piston. Mourning has been all the Heat could want and more, he's been surprisingly good so far, same with Eddie Jones.

I never said he WASN'T going to find his rhythm, I just said if he doesn't, the Heat are screwed, which proved to be true. Still, the Pistons didn't play well tonight and still kept it a close game. Winning one in Miami was all they were looking for. The palace crowd is insane (trust me, I work crowd control there), and we took the home court advantage.

We'll see if Wade can keep it up.

I want it to be Miami and Phoenix in the finals. Don't care too much for the spurs but they're a quality team

maybe im gonnaprove myself wrong here..i predicted 4-1 spurs to beat phoenix..looks like its gonna be a clean sweep with spurs 3-0 up 1 more home game left.

I somewhat arrogantly predicted a sweep after the Spurs won game 1. Here's hoping :D

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.

Three words: Boston Red Sox.

Hm... Spurs ain't no Yankees.

Great victory for Miami to go ahead in the series.

It has never happened in the NBA though.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leafs and Islanders would be more probable.

I go with what I know. :D



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. :thumbsup:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. :thumbsup:

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

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.

SPURS

No questions asked

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...

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ;)

How does Pistons/Miami outlook game 5 look everyone?

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.

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

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.

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.

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. =)

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.

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.

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.

This, from ESPN today:

Oh boy. :(

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

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.

Wade tonight:shot 35% from the field, 20 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 5 turnovers.

Coming into tonight, he averaged 27 ppg on 46% shooting, 5.2 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.80 spg, and 2.4 turnovers per against the Pistons this series.

Shaq had 27 and 9.

Those numbers are average for Shaq, he averaged more than that as the overweight Laker's center in last year's finals.

Not “great games”, and no, they did not put up the “same numbers”.

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3670496_7_2.jpg

Dear god, what a win!!!! Decided in the last 5 minutes. You have to admit Nimbletoe, if you were rooting for the Pistons they sure made you suffer through this series. Some awful games. Detroit would have never lived down a defeat by an injured starting 5 for Miami. This series should have been over in 5 maybe 6. Billups H-U-G-E in the last minute, hitting 4 straight free throws to finish the Heat. With Shaq out of the way, hopefully Big Ben can re-assert himself in the paint. Hamilton played excellent the last 2 games. HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!

Oh god, the cries of "we are underdogs" come from the Pistons yet again.

27 points is way above any average for Shaq this year. Last year doesn't matter, this year he wasn't averaging that much. 27 and 9 was a great game for Shaq offensively for the numbers he's been putting up recently, and Wade played great for his injuries. And you can cry me a river, that's what teams get for DEPENDING on two players.

It's been the hallmark of the Piston's success for the past 2 years. No superstars, no run in the national press, no love in the all-star game. No one rates them too highly, no one talks much about them the entire season, it was The Miami Heat Show. Under the radar. Midwest mediocrity. Just the way the Pistons like it.


"MONEY DON'T FAZE ME"!!! - Sheed
:eek: :eek: :eek:

They may "depend" on those players, but Detriot is no different. You take 2 of those guys away, and that team isn't what they were. Take Rasheed and Hamilton out, and you have one of the worst offensive teams in the leauge, and you've become very average on defense, simply brought by those guys' energy.

You think the Pistons are just as good without those 2 guys and are still playing in the NBA finals? Your dillusional. Don't forget somthing, Rasheed changed that entire franchise when he was brought into Detriot midseason. They were still playoff bound, no question, but champions, playing in their second NBA finals before they had Rasheed? No way. When Rasheed was brought in, they went from good, to just, well, they speak for themselves.

Obviously it's not the significance that Wade and Shaq's impact has, but it's still the same thing. But, Detriots 5 on the floor vs Miami's without Shaq/Wade and Hamilton/Wallace, would still beat Miami.

Kudos to Detriot, and while the Spurs wait in limbo for Thursday, I still think the Pistons repeat.

Nice victory by the pistons, I didn't know if they could do it.

But to me it doesn't matter because San Antonio is going to run Detriot.

San Antonio in 5.

Duncan/Manu/Parker/Bowen + Big shot Horry + overall better bench + better offense + equal if not better defense = Victory.

What can I say... I knew it was over when Wade didnt play game 6, Once I saw him take the ball in game 7 in the beginning of the game, I thought "Oh no... its over"... He was running 1/2 speed. Then somehow we have a 6 point lead with 5 minutes left and I thought if we can just hold on a little more, we could.....

nope, it wasnt our luck... I give the pistons ultimate respect for winning, and I hate making excuses, but what if wade was 100%???

I think Miami may have pulled it off... oh well, always next year...

Kudos to you piston fans... good luck

PS: Miami still have the best looking cheerleaders, anyone disagree???

I concur on the cheerleaders, I was looking at them dance during the game 7.....damn :thumbsup:

Our good friend Paul Shirley reckoned they were out of work strippers I think http://www.nba.com/suns/news/shirley_blog.html

Spurs in 6. My boy Tim Duncan to be the finals MVP.

I honestly don't care that people think we're the underdog. Everyone thought that last year too. Now, i'm not going to kid myself and say that last year's Lakers are better than this year's Spurs, but I really think that it's an even matchup.

if it goes to 7 games, i rekon duncan will get mvp regardless if the spurs lose. but i still rekon spurs in 5.

Not blaming the calls for the way that game went, but that Ben Wallace blocking foul call on Ginobli was the worst call in this years playoffs, by far. We were just starting to build momentum too, gah.

The utter destruction of the Pistons would be much harder to take if the Spurs weren't playing so phenomenally well. They are deeper, more talented at just about every position, and they're hungrier. The Pistons aren't even giving themselves a chance. Ben Wallace has been a complete bust in this and the last series. He can't buy an offensive rebound, he can't score, he can't block, and he can't even foul hard. His disappearance, to me, has been the story of the playoffs for the Pistons. They were extremely lucky to get by Miami.

The problem with Detroit is that they don't have a team leader. Rasheed Wallace is the best player on the team, but he'll never be a team leader. Richard Hamilton is a great player, but he's not a leader. Same with Billups, same with Prince. There is no go-to guy that can take over a game, like a Duncan or Ginobili. The Spurs are a hell of a team, and they'd be doing the same and worse to Miami, so all the credit to them. Be nice to see it go at least 5.

San Antonio is the better team. They had the better record during the regular season and have played better and won more in the playoffs against tougher opponents. Detroit is a good team, but their lack of consistency is what I think has plagued them the most. Even during last years playoffs it was evident. They struggled to win in 7 against a NJ team led by an injured Jason Kidd, but played brilliantly against a very good L.A. team in the NBA finals. Their struggles against NJ last year meant nothing since they went on to win the title, but this year they have struggled throughout the entire playoffs.

I heard Larry Brown complaining about the free throw disparity in his post game interview, but Detroit (who was the aggressor last year) outshot L.A. at the line during every single game during last year's Finals. LB can't have his cake and eat it too, he needs to quit bitching.

San Antonio is executing better and working harder. Detroit gets three straight games at home though; it’s their turn to what they're supposed to.

looks like the series is wrapped up with only 2 teams in history ever coming back from 2-0 down to win the series.

Exactly. And it's strange because 1) Detroit had the best record in the NBA after January, 2) Detroit won a league best 11 (!) straight games going into the playoffs. ELEVEN STRAIGHT. After the Philly series, they stopped playing with any consistency. My theory is that Larry Brown most likely leaving after the season has killed their confidence. Brown was the guy responsible for turning Ben Wallace into a decent scorer the last half of the season, where he regularly, regularly scored in double figures, scoring 29 on one occasion.

Now, he hardly ever shoots. He had 30 double-double games in the regular season, and was 2nd overall in the NBA blocked shots. In the playoffs this year, Lindsey Hunter (guard), off the bench, has more blocks than Ben!! That is fucked up. Since Philly, the intensity that made him defensive player of the year is completely gone. Vanished. It's been mentioned in the press that one of his good friends from back home died, and one of his brothers had surgery recently, so who knows. I tend to think that Larry Brown's leaving is the main reason for much of the inconsistency all the Pistons have had. The whole organization, the fans, the players, all love Brown.

DAMN my boys had me scared going into tonight. I said to myself before the game if we don't win this one big, series over. Even if we squeek out a win, it means San An could keep up with us playing our best. Thank god we can at the very least make this a series!

I predict Nimbletoe is crying his eyes out after this one.
Horry is awesome. I loved him when he was in Houston, he was great for LA, and now he's up to his old tricks again. Easily one of the greatest role players of all time. Hard to believe he's gonna have as many rings as Jordan Tuesday night.