NBA Playoffs: Can You Say Demoralized?
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 amBy Chris
So what happens when Boston’s Big Three score a combined 75 points, Ray Allen breaks out of a shooting slump and the lead guard — Rajon Rondo — almost puts a triple-double on the board? Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a dominant Celtics performance that would normally result in a win, right? But, what if all of the above actually happens and Boston loses. At home. In the Playoffs. To the Pistons?
Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a large helping of demoralizing pie for a team that had been perfect. At home. In the Playoffs.
Right?
Well, that’s exactly what happened last night as the Pistons overcame all of the above factors to steal Game 2 — while potentially crushing the spirit of the Celtics — and bring the home court advantage back to Motown. What amazing about last night’s Detroit victory is normally when Boston plays the way I’ve described, they are the best team on the floor. Last night, the Pistons were even better.
They got huge games from Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups (I guess the hammy IS fine) as the backcourt duo combined for 44 points and 11 assists. Unfortunately for Boston, Detroit’s production didn’t stop there. Tayshaun Prince had 14 points and 8 boards while Antonio McDyess posted 15 and 8. Rounding out the incredibly balanced attack for the Pistons were `Sheed and Rodney Stuckey who had both contributed 13 points apiece. Wallace also grabbed 10 boards, giving him a very effective double-double.
Oh yeah, Rodney Stuckey has been a godsend for the Pistons. His play while Chauncey was out helped the Pistons finish Orlando off and now he’s giving Boston fits.
Not only did the Pistons play well in all facets of the game, they also responded to every big shot Boston hit in the 4th quarter with a huge shot of their own. Whether it was Rip’s never-ending, “I’m going to run 30 miles during this game today because I don’t stop moving on offense” attack or the huge baseline jumper from Rasheed, whenever the Celtics would challenge, Detroit responded — like a Champion.
Unfortunately for Boston, they completed wasted Ray Allen’s slump-busting performance as the Mr. Shuttlesworth finally found that sweet stroke which had been eluding him since the Playoffs started. For Boston’s sake, they had better hope he doesn’t go back in to the shooting-slump shell.
