Dallas (54-16) at Detroit (55-14)

[SequSpur]

Is this game going to be on TV? If not, who wants to meet me at the new Buffalo place on 151?

[mavsfan1000]

GO _ALLAS!!!!



for this one game

Be careful. You might become a fan.

[leemajors]

Is this game going to be on TV? If not, who wants to meet me at the new Buffalo place on 151?

it's on nba tv if you have that.

[mavsfan1000]

Say it with me now,

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETROIT BAAAAAAAAAASSSSKETBAAAAAALL!!

BTW, i was just f<ing> with you guys bout that sweep thing. The Pistons will make it so we win the championship at home, and not at your dump.

So mavs fans act worse than piston fans?

[Man In Black]

If you put it like that, at times, certain fans from either set can be assholes.

All you have to do to see it, is read.

[freedom&justice]

So mavs fans act worse than piston fans?

There will always be a couple bad seeds in every bunch. I personally loathe heat fans more

[SoundTheToll]

Say it with me now,

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETROIT BAAAAAAAAAASSSSKETBAAAAAALL!!

BTW, i was just f<ing> with you guys bout that sweep thing. The Pistons will make it so we win the championship at home, and not at your dump.

I hate "Deeeetroit Baaaskeeetbaalll" now. It used to be so much better in the Carlisle days when the Pistons were both good (not great) but didn't have all the 15-yr old bandwagon fans.

Is it just me, or is the Spurs fanbase not as young as other fan bases? It seems like that, from afar. Kinda like the Red Wings fan base. (Ducks and covers for speaking of hockey).

[Darrin]

Maddenism-"the team with the most made baskets at the end of the game will win...

...that is, unless the other team has more points."

Now the phrase is truly Madden-esque.

[Darrin]

I hate "Deeeetroit Baaaskeeetbaalll" now. It used to be so much better in the Carlisle days when the Pistons were both good (not great) but didn't have all the 15-yr old bandwagon fans.

Is it just me, or is the Spurs fanbase not as young as other fan bases? It seems like that, from afar. Kinda like the Red Wings fan base. (Ducks and covers for speaking of hockey).

Coming down the stretch in 2003-04 and knowing the Pistons were serious le contenders while the rest of the league was enamored with the Lakers, Spurs, Pacers, Kings, even the Knicks for part of the season - that was the most fun I have had as a Pistons fan.

For a full season, I have to go back to the 2001-02 squad. That 14-6 (.700) start followed by a 3-13 (.187) record before finishing 33-13 (.717). Ben Wallace's coming-out party nationally when he had 16 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots in a 109-101 win over the equally-suprising Boston Celtics some 36 hours after getting off a 4-1 road trip (wins over Milwaukee, (permanently securing the 2nd seed) Denver, Utah (first win in Salt Lake since 1989), loss by 4 to Defending Champion Lakers). NBC had moved up the start time from 7:00 PM to 12:30 PM much to the chagrin of the Pistons' players. Winning the divisional le, beating the Bucks 123-89 (the largest margin of victory ever in head-to-head matchups) on the last day of the season for the 50th win, knocking the Bucks out of the playoffs when Sam Cassell had said they were not only the better team, but guaranteed a win?

Watching Ben Wallace get his first Defensive Player of the Year Award and then took over the 3rd period of an ugly game one with the Raptors (9 points, 6 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks) to blow the game wide-open. He finished the game with 19 points and 21 boards in his first postseason game ever.

Damaging my vocal chords in game 5 of that same series. Slapping high-fives with people I didn't know Watching Corliss Williamson bank in a shot off an out-of-bounds baseline play with 1 second on the shot-clock. Watching Stackhouse drive down the lane, and throw up an ugly pull-up for the Pistons permanent lead, and the first series win since 1991.

Those were the days.

[mikejones99]

Jesus christ, now stackhouse is the enemy and the big German is on fire.

[Pistonfan1]

Say it with me now,

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETROIT BAAAAAAAAAASSSSKETBAAAAAALL!!

BTW, i was just f<ing> with you guys bout that sweep thing. The Pistons will make it so we win the championship at home, and not at your dump.

So you are saying that San Antonio is a run down city while Detriot is a beautiful looking town? . It is one thing to talk about the le but it is another when you call the wrong city (obviously Detriot is ugly and industrial) a run down dump.

[ReppinTheD]

So you are saying that San Antonio is a run down city while Detriot is a beautiful looking town? . It is one thing to talk about the le but it is another when you call the wrong city (obviously Detriot is ugly and industrial) a run down dump.

Well, Detroit certainly isn't the most beautiful city in the world, but you can't say that the whole city is a dump. I will say that the outer boundaries of the city are totally trashed with old buildings, drug dealers, and bums, but the inside of the city is actually very nice. I am a student at Wayne State University, and the campus is very safe, I have no complaints all. Detroit is a decent city.

[1Parker1]

I think this game is Detroit's to lose. They should be pissed they just lost to the Nets on their home floor, and they should be wanting revenge for the blowout from their first meeting, also as Mavs1000 continously points out to us, Mavs are hobbled and "injured"....tight game first 3 quarters, Detroit wins it with defense and 3 point shooting in the 4th.

[SoundTheToll]

Coming down the stretch in 2003-04 and knowing the Pistons were serious le contenders while the rest of the league was enamored with the Lakers, Spurs, Pacers, Kings, even the Knicks for part of the season - that was the most fun I have had as a Pistons fan.

For a full season, I have to go back to the 2001-02 squad. That 14-6 (.700) start followed by a 3-13 (.187) record before finishing 33-13 (.717). Ben Wallace's coming-out party nationally when he had 16 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots in a 109-101 win over the equally-suprising Boston Celtics some 36 hours after getting off a 4-1 road trip (wins over Milwaukee, (permanently securing the 2nd seed) Denver, Utah (first win in Salt Lake since 1989), loss by 4 to Defending Champion Lakers). NBC had moved up the start time from 7:00 PM to 12:30 PM much to the chagrin of the Pistons' players. Winning the divisional le, beating the Bucks 123-89 (the largest margin of victory ever in head-to-head matchups) on the last day of the season for the 50th win, knocking the Bucks out of the playoffs when Sam Cassell had said they were not only the better team, but guaranteed a win?

Watching Ben Wallace get his first Defensive Player of the Year Award and then took over the 3rd period of an ugly game one with the Raptors (9 points, 6 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks) to blow the game wide-open. He finished the game with 19 points and 21 boards in his first postseason game ever.

Damaging my vocal chords in game 5 of that same series. Slapping high-fives with people I didn't know Watching Corliss Williamson bank in a shot off an out-of-bounds baseline play with 1 second on the shot-clock. Watching Stackhouse drive down the lane, and throw up an ugly pull-up for the Pistons permanent lead, and the first series win since 1991.

Those were the days.

Yeah, I think I might have loved those 3-4 "Pre- le" years more than the constantly criticized, although much more dominat "Post- le" years.

In 02-03, I remember the Pistons blowing out the Celtics by 40 or something in their home court. Tayshaun Prince comes into the game late, as a rookie, and drains 3-balls along with Memo, Jon Barry, Uncle Cliffy, Mike "No Offense" Curry, Corliss Williamson, Chucky Atkins, Stack. God, Ben Wallace is the only man remaining from the first Rick Carlisle season.

However, my original statement was referring to Mason's "Detroit Basketball" line and how it has become popular, over-used, repe ive, stale, and copied by other PA announcers.

[Vingianx]

Even though i hate the Mavs, I want them to beat Detroit so the HCA race gets close again...

[DarkReign]

Back on topic...

I am totally nervous. There, I said it.

The Pistons have played like complete for 4-5 games now. Before this stretch, they said they had to work on getting their "playoff defense" going.

Well, I would say their defense is DEFINATELY back. At the complete expense of their offense. Once again, they cant ing score. At all. Ever.

If they can have a balanced game tonight on both sides of the ball, I would feel alot better. Winning ugly is nice, dont get me wrong. But I think its more important to start balancing this team from a defense/offense standpoint.

Right now, they are pure defensive. They need some offense. When your leading scorer is a bench player playing 20 mins a game, thats a problem.

I say again...

Where the is Rasheed Wallace?!

He is seriously starting to piss me off. Sheed for 3! Miss. Sheed for another 3! Miss. Sheed gets the ball in the block, passes out of it. Flares out. Sheed for 3! Miss.

Get your ing ass in the paint and dont come out. At least for one ing game. Can you play one ing game without taking 10 three point attempts? ing ridiculous.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

It seemed to me that Rasheed had that problem late last year. He'd play one good game where he'd get in the paint and get his game going and then start draining threes. Then he'd come back the next game and all he would look for were threes. I've liked Rasheed a lot more since he went to Detroit, and I've always thought he's got a ton of talent, but his brain seems to short circuit from time to time.

[GoSpurs21]

what happens if all three teams finish with the same record but
SA over Dallas with 3-1 head to head
Detroit over SA with 2-0 head to head
Dallas over Detroit with whatever is needed for this

[TDMVPDPOY]

Nothing beats havin a western team win against an east team, i root for the texan base teams when they play on the same nites or other nites. When they play against each other its usually spurs/rockets/mavs, thats my preference. As long these team keep on rackin up wins thats all it matters, cose they play the best ball in the west. Only the best comes from the west.

Are the allas havericks goin to field a full-lineup or josh is still out with minor injuries? This game is goin to be "BLOWOUT WIN" for the mavs, by 1point.

[LEONARD]

2 tough nights coming up for the Mavs...I figure they'll take one of the 2 in the B2B. Hopefully tonight, but it'll be tough...

Are the allas havericks goin to field a full-lineup or josh is still out with minor injuries? This game is goin to be "BLOWOUT WIN" for the mavs, by 1point.

Still no Howard, Harris, or Griffin...

So we'll get to see Marshall and Powell some more

[Darrin]

Well, Detroit certainly isn't the most beautiful city in the world, but you can't say that the whole city is a dump. I will say that the outer boundaries of the city are totally trashed with old buildings, drug dealers, and bums, but the inside of the city is actually very nice. I am a student at Wayne State University, and the campus is very safe, I have no complaints all. Detroit is a decent city.

Let's not forget the Palace of Auburn Hills is located 32 miles from downtown Detroit. Arguing over the city vs. the team are two completely different things.

[Darrin]

what happens if all three teams finish with the same record but
SA over Dallas with 3-1 head to head
Detroit over SA with 2-0 head to head
Dallas over Detroit with whatever is needed for this

Here are the three-team tie-breakers:
1. Best head-to-head winning percentage among all teams tied.
2. Highest winning percentage in conference games.
3. Highest winning percentage within division (if teams are in the same division).
4. Highest winning percentage against playoff teams in own conference.
5. Highest point differential between points scored and points allowed.

That would be to determine who was 1, 2, and 3 in the standings. However, the Finals Matchups, in your scenario with Dallas holding the tie-breaker over the Pistons:

NBA Finals Matchups:
Pistons @ Mavericks
Spurs @ Pistons.

San Antonio would be the top seed in the west, though.

[boutons_]

Sheed's got tons of talent, but his head/heart don't match. What a waste.

[Darrin]

Sheed's got tons of talent, but his head/heart don't match. What a waste.

I think he loves the game of basketball, but he hates the NBA. I've always had that feeling about him - a guy who was more than a little disappointed in what the big leagues were vs. what he thought they were.

[bdubya]

Sheed's got tons of talent, but his head/heart don't match. What a waste.

Sorry if this has been posted already...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...603280352/1127