Pistons vs Heat: Detroit News Staff Predictions

[Darrin]

Exactly so lets just start another discussion about something....Shaq is the X factor in this series...if he can play good the first 3 quarters and den leave the 4th to D-Wade and co.....the the Heat might have a chance

I don't believe that Shaq is the X-Factor. I believe that he's going to give the Heat what he can, but it's on Miami's shooters to nail their contested shots. Shaq has to get them off to a good start like he did in game one, but beyond that, it's up to the rest of Miami to give D-Wade room to operate.

[Bob Lanier]

If you say so.....but i want to know the game when Sweetney and Krstic outplayed him

Miami @ Chicago, April 27 (Game 3): S. O'Neal 24 MIN, 8 PTS (4-8 FG, 0-6 FT), 4 REB, 1 AST, 7 TO, 0 BLK, 5 FOUL. M. Sweetney 27 MIN, 10 PTS (4-5 FG, 2-6 FT), 7 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO, 1 BLK, 5 FOUL.

Chicago @ Miami, May 2 (Game 5): S. O'Neal 27 MIN, 16 PTS (7-9 FG, 2-12 FT), 10 REB, 2 AST, 3 TO, 3 BLK, 4 FOUL. M. Sweetney 16 PTS (5-9 FG, 6-6 FT), 9 REB, 0 AST, 3 TO, 2 BLK, 5 FOUL. (roughly even)

Miami @ New Jersey, May 14 (Game 4): S. O'Neal 35 MIN, 16 PTS (7-13 FG, 2-8 FT), 8 REB, 2 AST, 3 TO, 1 BLK, 3 FOUL. N. Krstic 44 MIN, 20 PTS (9-16 FG, 2-2 FT), 14 REB, 0 AST, 1 TO, 1 BLK, 3 FOUL.

[PaceMonster]

ok thank you for stating them....as you can see in the first game he was lost because of foul trouble and even though he played 3 less minutes that Sweetney he was still outplayed

THE SECOND GAME HE IS CLEARLY NOT OUTPLAYED....THEY HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF POINTS WITH SHAQ HAVING MORE BLOCKS, REBOUNDS,AND ASSISTS....SAME AMOUNT OF TURNOVERS....ALSO I WONDER Y U DIDNT PUT THE AMOUNT OF MINUTES THAT SWEETNEY PLAYED....U MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THAT ONE OUT

the third game yes he did get outplayed even though he played 9 less minutes....but lets get real here...he is a bet to outplay his opponent center on any given night vs anybody....and u dont even wanna get me started on people outplaying Ben Wallace

[spurs_in_7]

the heat in 6, in the worst case scenario.

[MadDog73]

the heat in 6, in the worst case scenario.

Wouldn't Heat in 5 be the worst case scenario for the Pistons?

[PaceMonster]

yea i think u should lay off that crack pipe and see reality...this will be shaq's worst game of the series...he only had 14 points!!!he averages 27 vs detroit this season!!!!!!!!u sure are on that good

i told yall game 1 would be his worst game of the series...and we still won...i guarantee shaq not having any under 20 point games anymore