Pooh
05-21-2004, 07:58 PM
The Scoop: This is the match up many have dreamed of since the playoffs began. The two best teams in the East collide to see who will represent the conference in the NBA Finals. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle is back for his second consecutive trip to the conference finals, only this time he's coaching against his former team. Larry Brown is making his third trip to the conference finals, ironically his first appearance was as coach of the Indiana Pacers back in 1994.
The Pacers won the season series 3-1, their lone defeat occured back on April 4th as the Pistons, with Rasheed Wallace in the lineup, handed the Pacers their worst lost of the season, 79-61. The Pacers will be looking to extract some revenge during this series.
Key Matchup: There are several. The big match up pairs up Jermaine O'Neal against Rasheed Wallace. Wallace has been the difference in the Pistons since coming over via a trade with the Hawks earlier this year. Although not at full strength, (a bad foot) Wallace can still give O'Neal fits. O'Neal struggled in the first two rounds of the playoffs but has stepped up as of late. If O'Neal is his usual dominant self, Wallace will face an uphill battle throughout the series.
The other key match up be who will have to go up against the Defensive Player of the Year in Ron Artest. Artest at times will lock up with either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince. During the playoffs, Artest has not only been a huge defensive threat, but leads the Pacers in scoring. The best that Hamilton and Prince can hope for is that Artest will have an "off" night, which from the looks of things will probably not happen.
Prediction: The Pacers had the best record in the NBA, they earned home court advantage, and it will be that advantage that willl carry them to their first trip to the Finals since 2000.
Pacers in Six.
The Pacers won the season series 3-1, their lone defeat occured back on April 4th as the Pistons, with Rasheed Wallace in the lineup, handed the Pacers their worst lost of the season, 79-61. The Pacers will be looking to extract some revenge during this series.
Key Matchup: There are several. The big match up pairs up Jermaine O'Neal against Rasheed Wallace. Wallace has been the difference in the Pistons since coming over via a trade with the Hawks earlier this year. Although not at full strength, (a bad foot) Wallace can still give O'Neal fits. O'Neal struggled in the first two rounds of the playoffs but has stepped up as of late. If O'Neal is his usual dominant self, Wallace will face an uphill battle throughout the series.
The other key match up be who will have to go up against the Defensive Player of the Year in Ron Artest. Artest at times will lock up with either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince. During the playoffs, Artest has not only been a huge defensive threat, but leads the Pacers in scoring. The best that Hamilton and Prince can hope for is that Artest will have an "off" night, which from the looks of things will probably not happen.
Prediction: The Pacers had the best record in the NBA, they earned home court advantage, and it will be that advantage that willl carry them to their first trip to the Finals since 2000.
Pacers in Six.