BALL IN …
Much has been made of the home court advantage in these playoffs, with road victories coming at a premium in both conferences, albeit more so in the West. But after a brazen heist in Boston in Game 2 to steal the home court away, the Detroit Pistons were not so wresting in Game 3, losing to the Celtics 94-80, allowing Boston to reclaim home court. Then, in typical topsy-turvy fashion, the Pistons rebounded in Game 4 to even the best-of-seven series at two apiece in a game that was much closer than the score indicates.
Antonio McDyess was the star of the show, leading the Pistons with 21 points and 16 rebounds on 8 of 14 shooting. It was easily the 33-year-old McDyess’ best playoff performance in more than a decade. “You only have so many opportunities, and they’re limited, especially for me,” McDyess said. “I’m at the end of my career, and I just feel like leaving everything out on the floor.”
In helping Detroit’s cause, McDyess routinely beat the Celtics to loose balls, defending them with strength and quickness while making most of his shots.
As for the Celtics, they’ll need a far better effort from their big three if they are to right the ship heading into Wednesday’s Game 5 in Boston. The combination of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen shot poorly all night as did most of the Celtics, but the NBA’s top-seeded team stayed in the game thanks in large part to shooting a disparate number of free throws. Boston made 32-of-39 free throws, while Detroit made 20-of-26.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined to miss their first seven shots, finishing 11-for-38 from the field.
Allen said it was a disappointing performance from the trio.
“We pride ourselves on making our teammates better and allowing them to make us better,” Allen said.
Garnett and Pierce both scored 16 points and Allen had 11.
Rajon Rondo is still struggling with his decision-making, causing Doc Rivers to go to the seldom used Sam Cassell who provided little help, going 0-3 from the field in 17 minutes of play with no assists. The rust showed in Cassell’s usually clutch jumper as he missed badly on two of his three attempts.
As for Rondo, the Pistons attacked him at both ends of the court, preventing him from getting off to a strong start. However, his troubles are nothing that a little home cooking shouldn’t cure? Sure Rondo is still young and relatively inexperienced, but he has shown far better ballhandling and decision-making in the past than he has of late. And his offense hasn’t been much better on the road either, going 2 for 8 last night while dishing out only 4 assists.
The Celtics were able to stay in the game by making 17 of 20 free throws in the first half while Detroit was 5-for-9. Boston had more points from the line (32) than from the field early in the fourth quarter when it pulled within 67-62.
“We didn’t play well, but we hung in there by getting to the foul line,” Rivers said. “Then, we just couldn’t make plays.”
Richard Hamilton had 20 points, Rasheed Wallace scored 14 and Billups added 10 for Detroit, while reserve Jason Maxiell filled in well when Wallace got in foul trouble, scoring 14 points and playing tough defense on Garnett, notably on a come-from-behind block on a dunk attempt.
But Billups sealed the victory for the Pistons with his 3-pointer with just under 3 minutes left, making many forget his offensive struggles due to a sore right hamstring.
Detroit improved to 5-0 in games following losses in the playoffs, while the Celtics fell to 1-7 on the road and 0-6 when trailing after three quarters.
Game 5 is Wednesday night in Boston, then the Pistons will host Game 6 on Friday night. If necessary, the Celtics will be back at home Sunday night.
Manu’s Game Found, Spurs Climb Back In Series
While the home court advantage has taken a bit of a backseat in the Eastern conference finals, it still holds firm in the West.
For whatever reason, it seems that any home court advantage comes down to shooting percentage. In game two of the WCF, the San Antonio Spurs shot just 35% from the field and from behind the arc, while the Los Angeles Lakers shot 55% from the field and 28% from three point range, but don’t let that three-point percentage fool you. The Lakers still made nine more field goals while taking sixteen less attempts. But in game three, one of San Antonio’s necessary weapons, three-point shooting, returned. So did their defense of Lamar Odom and Sasha Vujacic, two more keys for the defending champs.
The Spurs also lost the first two games at New Orleans in the previous round, but won in seven. And as was the case there, many were writing off the Spurs as being too old, too slow, and too predictable. Those all may prove to be true, but we’ll have to see it to believe it. I’m quite sure neither the Hornets nor the Lakers are buying into it. Somehow, the Spurs managed to send Kobe Bryant to the free throw line only once in both games two and three, after Bryant had made a living there in prior playoff games. Kobe still had a great shooting night in game three, but many of his baskets were inconsequential. In addition to getting Kobe to the line more, look for the Lakers to get into their offense earlier in possessions in the upcoming games. Too often in the second half of the last game they got caught up in the easy way out, throwing it to Bryant and hoping for the best. That may work late in a tight game, or against a poor team, but very seldom here. At the same time, the Lakers’ ‘x’ factor in this and all series, Lamar Odom, must improve his offensive consistency. As I’ve stated many times, he is the key to the Lakers’ success. He was as much of a difference as any Laker in the previous series. Though L.A. leads 2-1, Odom’s been down, up, and down in the first three games. He needs to be a factor, which he will be if the Lakers do indeed start their offensive motion earlier in the shot clock.
In contrast to game two, the Spurs held Sasha Vujacic in check in game three. Vujacic is another huge factor in this series. In the first two games in Los Angeles, he found his rhythm and his stroke, and the Spurs were significantly damaged because of it. But he scored just four points on 1-5 shooting and two free throws Sunday night. He is young and cocky. Can he rebound from a poor performance? Maybe he and Odom can get going together.
In game three, the Spurs had just three players in double figures scoring (as did the Lakers, it should be noted), with the biggest being Manu Ginobili who scored 30 points. Whether or not his ankle was still bothering him proved to be a non-factor, as he hit five 3s in the first half and forced the defense to play him, opening up the lane for Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. I’ve long maintained that the way to beat the Spurs – which, granted, is easier said than done – is to ‘allow’ Duncan to get his but don’t allow San Antonio any open shooters. The Spurs’ three-point shooting has always been a must for their success, and they are at their best offensively when opponents are forced to scramble and subsequently pay for putting too much emphasis on controlling Duncan.
In the fourth quarter of game three, Kobe Bryant once again tried to take matters into his own hands and shoot the Lakers back into the game. He was successful for a brief period, but the deficit was simply too large this time; which goes back to my point about L.A. getting into their offense earlier in each possession. Expect them to push the ball upcourt more than they have in the first three games, giving them more of the twenty-four to work with. If not, they could well be playing into the hands of the Spurs; a deliberate, half-court game that allows San Antonio to square up and neutralize Odom, Pau Gasol, and to some extent, Bryant.
Look for more Ime Udoka and less Robert Horry from the Spurs, and more Jordan Farmar less Derek Fisher from the Lakers. I know Horry and Fisher have been part of championship teams, but the time is now. There is no tomorrow.
NBA
Former French Open champion Yannick Noah doesn’t think his son Joakim’s arrest for possession of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol is a big deal.
Joakim Noah, a forward for the Chicago Bulls, was arrested Sunday in Gainesville, Fla., after an officer spotted him on a sidewalk holding a plastic cup. During a search at the station, officers found marijuana in his pocket.
“I don’t understand all that fuss for just drinking a beer on the street,” Yannick Noah said Tuesday at the French Open.
The elder Noah won the title at Roland Garros in 1983. He created a sensation a few years before when he told a magazine writer he smoked marijuana.
Joakim Noah was released after signing a notice to appear before a judge — standard procedure for such offenses. He could face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for the marijuana charge.
“I talk to him every day on the phone,” said Yannick Noah, who was at Roland Garros on Tuesday for the dedication of a walkway named after him. “He’ll soon come over to France to see me.”
Joakim Noah led Florida to consecutive NCAA titles before being picked ninth by the Bulls in the NBA draft last year.
PGA
If you didn’t catch the Crowne Plaza Invitational golf tournament in Fort Worth over the weekend, you missed some classic commercials with Phil Mickelson and “friends.” Phil’s amazing iron play out of trouble wasn’t bad either. On Sunday, Phil overcame a reappearance of Way Left Lefty to make birdie for a 1-stroke win at Colonial.
MORE NBA
Also, if you haven’t caught any of the last two playoff games-game three in the West and game four in the East-on ESPN radio, Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown are simply outstanding together. Check them out if you get a chance, even if it means turning down the TV volume. It’s worth it.
And with that …
GAME!
THE CARROT
______________
PREDATORS
(VVS-1, All-World Game)
Rabbit
K. Bryant (Philadelphia) - It’s your world. Lead it!
Fox
Wolf
T. Duncan (St. Croix) - Wolves don’t whine …
HUNTERS
(SI-2, Suspect Arsenal)
T. Parker (Bruges) - Predator ranks await you
P. Gasol (Barcelona) - Must nullify Duncan’s numbers
K. Garnett (Mauldin) - When at the rim take the shot
R. Hamilton (Coatesville) - Without you Detroit’s done
T. Prince (Compton) - As reliable as they come
BLOODHOUNDS
(Flawed, AKC Certified, Questionable Pedigree)
L. Odom (Jamaica, NY) - Inconsistency is your middle name
P. Pierce (Oakland) - You’re better than this
R. Wallace (Philadelphia) - Has lost former edge?
M. Ginobili (Bahia Blanca) - Working your way back
(Well-trained, Knows More Than a Few Good Tricks)
C. Billups (Denver) - Playing through it admirably
DOG POUND
(Needs to be More Integral)
R. Allen (Merced) - Can’t handle ECF’s pressure?
R. Rondo (Louisville) - Needs decision-making classes
GRAVEYARD
(R.I.P.)
(Non-ranked. Final rankings dependent upon end of post season)
D. Nowitzki (Wurzburg) - Leadership is as leadership does
A. Stoudemire (Lake Wales) - Must develop complete game
S. Nash (Johannesburg) - Best days behind you?
T. McGrady (Bartow) - It’s no longer on you …
A. Jamison (Shreveport) - Uncanny, yet still unaccomplished
A. Miller (Los Angeles) - Talent is still unrecognized
A. Iverson (Hampton) - Leopard couldn’t change his spots
C. Anthony (New York) - Time to grow up. Like yesterday.
J. Kidd (San Francisco) - What/where now?
S. O’Neal (Newark) - Perhaps it’s time to walk?
A. Iguodala (Springfield) - Develop a jump shot or bust
M. Camby (Hartford) - It’s been a good career
J. Howard (Winston-Salem) - The constant gardener …
D. Williams (Parkersburg) - Predator of the first degree
D. Howard (Atlanta) - With a little more seasoning …
M. Okur (Yalova) - Inside or outside, which is it?
C. Boozer (Juneau) - So much expectation, so little execution
L. James (Akron) - Demand help or walk in opt-out year
H. Turkoglu (Istanbul) - Great season, average post season
D. West (Teaneck) - Future is bright indeed
T. Chandler (Hanford) - Use summer to round out game
P. Stojakovic (Belgrade) - Use summer to find your jump shot
C. Paul (Winston-Salem) - Patience, your time is coming
* Player in red is reigning champ
* Players in gold won regular season individual category rankings.
Photos:
Celtics: D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Ginobili: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Noah: John Starks/Chicago Daily Herald
Credits:
AP: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280526008
Predator: Released June 12, 1987 by 20th Century Fox
Rambo: Released October 22, 1982 by Orion Pictures Corp.
http://www.dophotoshop.com/angry-wol
http://www.actden.com/GRAP_DEN/clipart/images/rabbit.jpg
Fox: G and C Corsi (California Academy of Sciences)
Profiles/Teases are done for the season.
LOTL Postseason Edition posts Monday & Friday mornings.
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All Rights Reserved.
Just to clarify, Joakim was drinking cognac. And none of it was a big deal. Ask Josh Howard.
Left by Lefty on May 27th, 2008