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06-21-2005, 11:20 AM
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO -- You've no doubt come to your own conclusions, but go ahead and ask me who's going to win Game 6 of the Finals. I have an answer you probably wouldn't expect: Deee-troit basketball.
It doesn't matter that the Pistons had to leave prized P.A. announcer John Mason home and fly to a place where they haven't won in eight years -- a span of 10 games. It doesn't matter that the manner in which they lost Game 5 would leave most teams demoralized.
What does matter is that these are the defending champions and they're so used to triumph amid adversity that you almost think they wish it upon themselves, just to revel in the challenge. Hmm ... maybe that's why Rasheed Wallace chose to leave Robert Horry open when no one else would.
San Antonio's Sunday night victory at The Palace of Auburn Hills was monumental considering how it was accomplished, taking into account the venue and circumstances. Winning a tie-breaking Game 5 in such hostile territory was special, but had it not been for Horry's heroics, the Spurs would have headed home facing a pair of must wins.
Instead, they have a little leeway, like a golfer up a couple strokes at a major. A bogey wouldn't kill them. That's one reason you can take San Antonio's advantage at the SBC Center in Game 6 and toss it right out the window.
We're well aware that the Spurs lost only three games there during the regular season, boasting the NBA's top home record. Discard that.
The differing mindsets are the overriding factor. The Pistons are angry and frustrated, and that's usually when they respond best. They let a game slip away, but the season won't be next. At least not immediately.
"We're going into a hostile environment and it's win or go home," Chauncey Billups said. "It's 3-2. If we can't have energy down 3-2, facing elimination, we shouldn't be there."
The Spurs heaved a gigantic sigh of relief Sunday night after escaping with such a critical win. Tim Duncan, who shot 4-for-11 from the line, avoided the nightmare of being forever responsible for helping a title potentially slip away. Though there's no doubt he'll come out focused, that margin for error serves as a great equalizer.
"One would think that it is a pretty emotional experience for players at this particular point," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is preaching the importance of snuffing out the Pistons while San Antonio has the chance. "To stay poised is very important, and to understand how we got here and how we have to play. It isn't like we kicked anybody around in Detroit. I think they got the better of us in Detroit."
Remember, this has been a series in which intensity and aggressiveness have dictated the action. Whenever a team has needed to win, be it to hold home court like San Antonio in Games 1 and 2, or to rally like Detroit did in Games 3 and 4, it has prevailed emphatically. Game 5 was the true swing game, and that's why it unfolded like it did.
I'm not knocking San Antonio's air of invincibility at home. The Spurs have fabulous fans, a flock of whom greeted the team at the airport upon their arrival from Detroit. Facts are facts: The Spurs have won 46 of 51 home games, counting playoffs. Do, however, consider they are fallible.
San Antonio faltered against Denver in its postseason opener, and again in the result that should give all Pistons fans hope: Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. The Spurs came out flat in a game in which they should have put the Suns away.
"They had a good game. I am not going to be so stupid and not say that," Manu Ginobili said after that 111-106 loss on May 30. "But at the same time, same thing I always say, we let them get it going. ... We just were not as focused as we should. They played better and we played worse."
The Pistons have won on the road in every series except these Finals, which includes critical games against Philadelphia when the Sixers were threatening to tie things up, in Indiana to avoid going down 3-1 and then to win the series, and in Games 1 and 7 in Miami.
"You have to look at it as a great opportunity. They are a great team and you have to respect what they did," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "Robert made a huge shot. We had our chances and didn't get it done but this team has always fought back. "
It happened to us last year; we had some bumps along the way. I remember Game 5 against New Jersey, losing in triple overtime. I think I probably felt the same way as I do now. I think that was one of the greatest games I have been involved with. But we managed to bounce back and we have to try to do it again.
"A good friend of mine called me this morning and reminded me about the Red Sox. They had to go into Yankee Stadium and win two and they weren't the defending champs, so I am confident our guys will show up and play our best game."
The Pistons thrive in critical situations. Tuesday night will be no different.
---
i think the pistons depend too much on that mentality of their backs-against-the-wall and shouldn't reasonably expect ben wallace to score double digits on the road (he's done it 3 times in the last 11 pistons road games). duncan's shown that his game is back and that was in detroit, he should murder folks at home as should ginobilli. prince, mcdyss and hunter have all faded on the road, as well. and game 7 in miami was still a toss up despite wade's injury. the difference between phoenix and detroit is that phoenix was far and away a better road team (best in the league) and denver was the best team in the season's second half, while detroit's been dicey all year on the road. here's hoping it's over tonight.
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO -- You've no doubt come to your own conclusions, but go ahead and ask me who's going to win Game 6 of the Finals. I have an answer you probably wouldn't expect: Deee-troit basketball.
It doesn't matter that the Pistons had to leave prized P.A. announcer John Mason home and fly to a place where they haven't won in eight years -- a span of 10 games. It doesn't matter that the manner in which they lost Game 5 would leave most teams demoralized.
What does matter is that these are the defending champions and they're so used to triumph amid adversity that you almost think they wish it upon themselves, just to revel in the challenge. Hmm ... maybe that's why Rasheed Wallace chose to leave Robert Horry open when no one else would.
San Antonio's Sunday night victory at The Palace of Auburn Hills was monumental considering how it was accomplished, taking into account the venue and circumstances. Winning a tie-breaking Game 5 in such hostile territory was special, but had it not been for Horry's heroics, the Spurs would have headed home facing a pair of must wins.
Instead, they have a little leeway, like a golfer up a couple strokes at a major. A bogey wouldn't kill them. That's one reason you can take San Antonio's advantage at the SBC Center in Game 6 and toss it right out the window.
We're well aware that the Spurs lost only three games there during the regular season, boasting the NBA's top home record. Discard that.
The differing mindsets are the overriding factor. The Pistons are angry and frustrated, and that's usually when they respond best. They let a game slip away, but the season won't be next. At least not immediately.
"We're going into a hostile environment and it's win or go home," Chauncey Billups said. "It's 3-2. If we can't have energy down 3-2, facing elimination, we shouldn't be there."
The Spurs heaved a gigantic sigh of relief Sunday night after escaping with such a critical win. Tim Duncan, who shot 4-for-11 from the line, avoided the nightmare of being forever responsible for helping a title potentially slip away. Though there's no doubt he'll come out focused, that margin for error serves as a great equalizer.
"One would think that it is a pretty emotional experience for players at this particular point," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is preaching the importance of snuffing out the Pistons while San Antonio has the chance. "To stay poised is very important, and to understand how we got here and how we have to play. It isn't like we kicked anybody around in Detroit. I think they got the better of us in Detroit."
Remember, this has been a series in which intensity and aggressiveness have dictated the action. Whenever a team has needed to win, be it to hold home court like San Antonio in Games 1 and 2, or to rally like Detroit did in Games 3 and 4, it has prevailed emphatically. Game 5 was the true swing game, and that's why it unfolded like it did.
I'm not knocking San Antonio's air of invincibility at home. The Spurs have fabulous fans, a flock of whom greeted the team at the airport upon their arrival from Detroit. Facts are facts: The Spurs have won 46 of 51 home games, counting playoffs. Do, however, consider they are fallible.
San Antonio faltered against Denver in its postseason opener, and again in the result that should give all Pistons fans hope: Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. The Spurs came out flat in a game in which they should have put the Suns away.
"They had a good game. I am not going to be so stupid and not say that," Manu Ginobili said after that 111-106 loss on May 30. "But at the same time, same thing I always say, we let them get it going. ... We just were not as focused as we should. They played better and we played worse."
The Pistons have won on the road in every series except these Finals, which includes critical games against Philadelphia when the Sixers were threatening to tie things up, in Indiana to avoid going down 3-1 and then to win the series, and in Games 1 and 7 in Miami.
"You have to look at it as a great opportunity. They are a great team and you have to respect what they did," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "Robert made a huge shot. We had our chances and didn't get it done but this team has always fought back. "
It happened to us last year; we had some bumps along the way. I remember Game 5 against New Jersey, losing in triple overtime. I think I probably felt the same way as I do now. I think that was one of the greatest games I have been involved with. But we managed to bounce back and we have to try to do it again.
"A good friend of mine called me this morning and reminded me about the Red Sox. They had to go into Yankee Stadium and win two and they weren't the defending champs, so I am confident our guys will show up and play our best game."
The Pistons thrive in critical situations. Tuesday night will be no different.
---
i think the pistons depend too much on that mentality of their backs-against-the-wall and shouldn't reasonably expect ben wallace to score double digits on the road (he's done it 3 times in the last 11 pistons road games). duncan's shown that his game is back and that was in detroit, he should murder folks at home as should ginobilli. prince, mcdyss and hunter have all faded on the road, as well. and game 7 in miami was still a toss up despite wade's injury. the difference between phoenix and detroit is that phoenix was far and away a better road team (best in the league) and denver was the best team in the season's second half, while detroit's been dicey all year on the road. here's hoping it's over tonight.