Miami at Detroit - ECF's: Game #1

**Deleterious** · 05-23-2006, 08:04 AM

@

Miami @ Detroit
0-0

Game Info: 8:00 pm EDT Tue May 23, 2006

TV: ESPN

Miami Game Thread

Regular Season Series: Det 3 Mia 1

12/29/05 - Det 106 Mia 101 | Recap | Box Score | Shot Chart | Game Thread
2/12/06 - Miami 100 Det 98 | Recap | Box Score | Shot Chart | Game Thread
3/22/06 - Det 82 Mia 73 | Recap | Box Score | Shot Chart | Game Thread
4/6/06 - Det 95 Mia 82 | Recap | Box Score | Shot Chart | Game Thread

PLAYOFF SERIES: Eastern Conference finals; Game 1.

Game 1: at DET - Tue, May 23 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ESPN
Game 2: at DET Thu, May 25 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ESPN
Game 3: at MIA Sat, May 27 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ESPN
Game 4: at MIA Mon, May 29 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ABC
*Game 5: at DET Wed, May 31 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ESPN
*Game 6: at MIA Fri, Jun 2 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ESPN
*Game 7: at DET Sun, Jun 4 - 8:00 pm EDT TV: ABC
* - If necessary

Preview

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Heat - 2nd seed; beat Chicago Bulls 4-2, first round; beat New Jersey Nets 4-1, conference semifinals. Pistons - 1st seed; beat Milwaukee Bucks 4-1, first round; beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3, conference semifinals.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Heat - F Walker, F Haslem, C O'Neal, G Jason Williams, G Wade. Pistons - F Prince, F Rasheed Wallace, C Ben Wallace, G Billups, G Hamilton.

PLAYOFF TEAM LEADERS: Heat - Wade, 26.0 ppg and 6.9 apg; O'Neal, 9.2 rpg. Pistons - Hamilton, 20.3 ppg; Ben Wallace, 11.0 rpg; Billups, 6.2 apg.

Even though their journeys to get here didn't go as many expected, the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons are squaring off again in the Eastern Conference finals.

Just as was the case last year, Shaquille O'Neal and the Heat enter well-rested as they try to prevent the Detroit Pistons from returning to the NBA Finals.

"That's what everybody expected," Miami forward Udonis Haslem said. "I guess that's what everybody wanted to see. It's time for the games everybody wants to talk about to happen."

Considering the Pistons finished with the league's best record and the Heat were No. 2 in the East, it was widely predicted these teams would meet in this round for a second straight season.

However, while most observers expected Miami to be in for a long series against New Jersey, the Heat blew through the Nets in five games in the semifinals. Detroit, meanwhile, was surprisingly pushed to seven games by an inexperienced Cleveland team, having to stave off elimination on the road in Game 6 before prevailing 79-61 in Game 7 at The Palace on Sunday.

That left the Pistons with only one day off between games -- this will be their sixth game in 11 days -- while the Heat are coming off six days of rest. Entering last year's East finals, Miami had eight days off following a second-round sweep of Washington, and Detroit needed six games to oust Indiana.

It was the Pistons, however, who won the series to reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year, taking Game 7 in Miami. This time, Game 7 would be in Detroit.

"We don't get the rest, but it's also a situation with Miami where they haven't played in a while, so you never know how that can turn out," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said. "It feels good to have three or four days off, but when you have a little bit longer, I think you get out of rhythm a little bit."

The time off should benefit the 34-year-old O'Neal, who has played well against the Pistons in recent years despite his teams not having the same success. The superstar center has been ousted from the playoffs by Detroit each of the last two years -- the Pistons ended his eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals -- and Miami lost three of four games against Detroit this season.

Those four meetings saw O'Neal average 28.0 points -- his most against any team during the regular season -- and he's averaged 23.9 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 58 percent in his last 19 games against the Pistons. O'Neal's teams, however, have gone 6-13 in that span.

"We knew that we had to go through this team to possibly make it to the next level. Once again, we accept the challenge," O'Neal said. "We know what we have to do as a team, just have to go out there and play hard and limit our mistakes. ... If we do that, we'll be fine."

In their only win over Detroit this season, 100-98 on Feb. 12 in Miami on Dwyane Wade's 16-footer with 2.3 seconds left, the Heat committed five turnovers while the Pistons had 15. Detroit won the turnover battle in the other three meetings, forcing a total of 27 in the last two matchups to win by a combined 22 points.

Playing suffocating defense continues to be the key for Detroit even though it's considered to have an improved offense under first-year coach Flip Saunders.

The Pistons failed to score 85 points in any of the final five games of the second round, losing the middle three games, but held the Cavaliers below 31 percent shooting in Game 7.

"In a pressure situation, you do what you do best, and for us, that's defending," Saunders said.

Two days after holding LeBron James to one second-half field goal, Detroit hopes to shut down another third-year superstar.

Wade has scored at least 20 points in every game this postseason, and has reached 30 in four games. He averaged 28 points against the Pistons during the regular season.

A strained rib muscle kept him out of Game 6 in last year's conference finals and he was limited to 20 points in Game 7 as Detroit rallied from a 3-2 series deficit.

"His skills are similar to LeBron, but he's going to be the second option. LeBron didn't have Shaq on the block, taking up space in the paint," Detroit's Ben Wallace said. "It's going to be a little bit tougher. We're going to ask guys to come out with a lot of energy and play hard. We're just going to do what we do."

The Pistons may need more production in this series from Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace. Billups was limited to 14.9 points per game on 37.7 percent shooting in the second round, and Hamilton averaged just 15.7 points in the last three games. Wallace was held below 14 points in four of the final five games.

While Detroit can be led offensively by so many players, including Prince, who emerged to average 18 points in the Cleveland series, Miami's scoring output usually depends on O'Neal and Wade. The Heat, though, may have found a consistent third option in Antoine Walker, who averaged 19.7 points in the final three games against New Jersey.

"We're rested. We're healthy. I think we're happy," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "And I hope we're humble, or more humble. We have to go up there and we have our work cut out for us with Detroit in Detroit. They're a great team."

Team Notes

Detroit: The Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth straight year. Detroit won three of four meetings from Miami during the regular season. ... The Pistons had little trouble in Game Seven despite making just 18-of-32 free throws. ... Veteran G Lindsey Hunter provided a spark with seven points and four rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.

Miami: The Heat had six players in double figures Tuesday. One was C Alonzo Mourning, who scored 11 points to break into double digits for the first time in this postseason. ... Miami made just 15-of-29 free throws. Its starting frontcourt of C Shaquille O'Neal (1-of-7) and Fs Udonis Haslem (0-of-2) and Antoine Walker (1-of-2) were a combined 2-of-11. In the postseason, O'Neal has made just 34-of-86 free throws. ... G Dwyane Wade had 12 missed shots and seven turnovers, accounting for a potential 19 empty possessions by himself. He accounted for 20 in a Game Four loss to Chicago in the first round.

Fox Preview

Code:

Team Leaders
	           Heat 	Pistons
PPG             D Wade  27.2    Hamilton      20.1
Assists 	D Wade 	6.7 	C Billups 	8.6
Rebounds 	S O'Neal 9.2 	B Wallace 	11.3
Steals 	        D Wade 	1.9 	B Wallace 	1.8
Blocks 	        A Mourning 2.7 	B Wallace 	2.2
Minutes 	D Wade 	38.6 	C Billups 	36.1

Code:

Head to Head
Heat 	Key Team Stats 	Pistons
99.9 	Points scored 	96.8
96.0 	Points allowed 	90.2
.478 	FG% own 	.455
.440 	FG% opposition 	.452
.345 	3PT% own 	.384
.361 	3PT% opposition 	.325
858 	Offensive Rebounds 	975
2675 	Defensive Rebounds 	2347
3533 	Total Rebounds 	3322
1.5 	Assist/Turnover Ratio 	2.2
22.8 	Fouls Per Game 	18.5

**DaBishop** · 05-23-2006, 11:19 AM

This series will be decided by if Shaq can actually show up in the 2nd half and if C-Note can rise back up to the level he played during the regular season.

**Betrayer** · 05-23-2006, 12:28 PM

Going to tonight game and I can't wait!!! It's really hard to get any work done today because I want to jump out of my seat.

GO PISTONS!!!

**slim pickens** · 05-23-2006, 01:19 PM

Detroit will jump out to a big lead, but will end up winning by 7 points!

**Euphdude** · 05-23-2006, 01:25 PM

The Pistons are now "mentally prepared" thanks to the Cavs' wake-up call, and can now use more of their bench against the Heat (specifically Dale Davis vs. Shaq). It will be a tough and grueling series, but the Pistons have more of an "edge" and will win in 6-7 games.

Concerning tonight's game, the Pistons will has less "rust" than the Heat due to the Heat's week-long layoff and will defeat them by 10 points.

**Ingefanclub** · 05-23-2006, 01:29 PM

If the Pistons can beat Miami I think Dallas has to be favored in the Finals. Detroit is not playing their best ball right now. I hope I am wrong but I think Riley will outcoach Flip.

**Shinma** · 05-23-2006, 02:36 PM

NBA Finals right here folks. Whoever makes it out of this war will destroy the west. Neither team in the west has a hope of matching up against the east. Im just hope the Pistons make it out of this series alive.

**Betrayer** · 05-23-2006, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Shinma

NBA Finals right here folks. Whoever makes it out of this war will destroy the west. Neither team in the west has a hope of matching up against the east. Im just hope the Pistons make it out of this series alive.

Dallas would absolutely destroy Miami. Miami would be really really lucky to make it to game 6.

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 06:39 PM

I think the rust factor would be a fact if game one were in Miami but since it's in Detroit, I don't think that will come to fruition. Remember that the Heat were a minute from beating the Pistons last year and that was with an injured Shaq and D-Wade. That will be the difference this year. Detroit's starters are logging too many minutes and that's going to come back to haunt them. How's Rasheeds ankle? If he's still not a hundred percent than that will also factor in.

**Omaha Piston** · 05-23-2006, 06:50 PM

Tonight is a huge game. We need to stay the course with home court advantage. It saved our bacon last series.

**Buddha** · 05-23-2006, 07:28 PM

We had no answer for Lebron, I hope the same isn't true of Wade (although I fear it might be).

My hope is that Fatoine Walker and Jason Williams take lots of shots and play their usual stellar brand of defense.

And Dallas is playing the best of any team right now, Detroit included.

**Truth** · 05-23-2006, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by jmed

Remember that the Heat were a minute from beating the Pistons last year and that was with an injured Shaq and D-Wade. That will be the difference this year. Detroit's starters are logging too many minutes and that's going to come back to haunt them. How's Rasheeds ankle? If he's still not a hundred percent than that will also factor in.

I have always wondered, if the Heat believed that injuries were responsible for their defeat then why would they go out and make so many dramatic changes to their roster?

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Truth

I have always wondered, if the Heat believed that injuries were responsible for their defeat then why would they go out and make so many dramatic changes to their roster?

It's because of the injuries the ball had to go into the hands of the role players and they weren't good enough hence, the upheavel of last years roster. This years supporting cast is full of iron willed guys who won't crumble under the pressure.

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 08:14 PM

Gametime!!!!!

**Omaha Piston** · 05-23-2006, 08:15 PM

So does this game start at 7 or 7:30 (8 or 8:30 your guys' time)?

**shauntacular** · 05-23-2006, 08:15 PM

Eh... I'm glad you're confident in your team, but wake me up when they win anything, Burger 2: Electric Boogaloo (b2eb).

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 08:19 PM

Nine quick points. Pistons rusty

**Omaha Piston** · 05-23-2006, 08:20 PM

Ugh, this is not a good start at all.

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 08:26 PM

I'm not here to talk smack like the King....just to talk some basketball. I think most of you here are cool. Heat off to a good start!!

**Omaha Piston** · 05-23-2006, 08:33 PM

8-8 from the line.

**JonBenke** · 05-23-2006, 08:36 PM

Wow, am I the only one who is not worried ?

They are on fire, shooting the best they will shoot the entire seiries -- RIGHT NOW, and yet, we're still battling back, staying in the game.

**shauntacular** · 05-23-2006, 08:37 PM

I don't think the early score accurately tells the story of this one. I think the Pistons look really good, actually. The Heat are pumped and shooting well, but that won't hold forever. Detroit is executing and hitting their free throws. I still think this is their game to lose despite the score. It's early yet.

**wingedwheel** · 05-23-2006, 08:38 PM

DE-FENSE! (clap, clap, clap) DE-FENSE! (clap, clap, clap)

**barnettej** · 05-23-2006, 08:39 PM

Okay although im not worried right now... but they do not need the heat to gain confidence in shotting the 3pt

**JonBenke** · 05-23-2006, 08:39 PM

33 points on 15-18 shooting; we just need to grind this out -- their shots are falling -- they will not be shooting this well all series/game long.

**barnettej** · 05-23-2006, 08:42 PM

Great Defense! DETROIT! Steal on Wade, plus foul

**wingedwheel** · 05-23-2006, 08:42 PM

Wade with two fouls!

**shauntacular** · 05-23-2006, 08:43 PM

where's dave?

**wingedwheel** · 05-23-2006, 08:43 PM

heat 33
pistons 25

end q1

**JonBenke** · 05-23-2006, 08:43 PM

...after one, ONLY DOWN EIGHT, and again, this was with them giving us their BEST SHOT; offensively.

Key to this game is not the score; look at the fouls for each team, each player -- if their shots weren't falling, we'd be winning this game.

**wingedwheel** · 05-23-2006, 08:44 PM

Miami is shooting 75% from the field. That can not last.

**barnettej** · 05-23-2006, 08:45 PM

Looks like Detroit is picking up the pace on defense, hope it continues... Hunter has been playing defense well... but we still are not clicking on the offensive side

**jmed** · 05-23-2006, 08:47 PM

The heat are getting any shot they want and Wade is penetrating and getting to the basket. Shaq is having his way with Ben and the only thing keeping Detroit in the game is free throws. Refs calling the game close on the Heat. Detroit wasn't even driving to the basket and got in the penalty early. Oh well, the Heat's offense has been running like clockwork for like nine games straight.