Pistons vs. Spurs on Christmas

[spurschick]

"They've got all the drama and hype -- we have the great basketball game," Detroit reserve Maurice Evans said. "Detroit and San Antonio might not be glamour cities like Los Angeles and Miami, but both teams play pure basketball the way its meant to be played."

word

[boutons]

"It made us hungrier."

Exactly. Pistons are on a mission, Spurs are on a ???

"Our whole focus is trying to get home-court advantage throughout the playoffs"

That's what I figured. Thanks for the confirmation. Pistons are undoubtedly convinced that THEY would be Champions now, Game7 winner, if they hadn't screwed around in Nov/Dec 04 and lost Finals HCA to the Spurs. Now it's the Spurs who are screwing around in Nov/Dec 05, ceding Finals HCA to the Pistons.

Pistons 3L
Spurs 6L

The game will go to whichever team wants it more, whichever team is really ready. The Spurs haven't shown much desire this season. Barely escaping against a horrible Raptors @SBC last night with an ugly 2-possession win, they certainly didn't look ready for top-level compe ive basketball, have no momentum going into @Auburn Hills.

I am always ready for a great basketball game, but I won't be surprised if the Spurs get blown out. Disappointed but not surprised. Not having nearly-Finals-MVP Manu against Pistons is clearly a problem, but only part of the Spurs' problem.

It will interesting to see if Micheal's nuts and numbers go south vs Pistons, like they have in all his career playoff stats. With Manu out, Michael has a huge challenge/opportunity to show what he's made of (and not only with points). Brent's contribution would be welcome, too.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Oi Kori, is duncan goin to get braids for this game? he needs it to scare those wallaces

[jochhejaam]

How do you even dare to say I'm not a Pistons Fan?

what's your problem????

You're the same guy that said the 21-3 Pistons are no better than a .500 team, maybe that's why.

[missyy0867]

Christmas day preview

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports

SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT DETROIT PISTONS

The Spurs won the championship a season ago, and their gift from the NBA is a trip to Detroit for Christmas. Thanks a lot, schedule makers.

San Antonio will have to overcome more than just being away for the holidays, of course. Manu Ginobili has missed a couple of weeks with a sprained foot, and the Spurs miss his energy. Losses to Atlanta and Milwaukee make you wonder if the Spurs aren't going through the motions a bit.

Detroit, on the other hand, started off fast and haven't slowed down. They won nine of their first 10 games and are playing with an offensive swagger that they've never had before.

Guards
Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton vs. Tony Parker and Michael Finley
The Piston guards have been dominant and are at their best with the game on the line. The Spurs' Parker is having his finest season ever, and Finley has filled in nicely for Ginobili. Advantage: Pistons.

Forwards
Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen vs. Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince
Duncan has been slowed by inflammation in his plantar fascia, but is still having another stellar year. Bowen is the best perimeter defender in the game. Wallace and Prince are long, active and athletic, and each is capable of a huge scoring night. Advantage: Even.

Center
Ben Wallace vs. Rasho Nesterovic
Big Ben is doing what he does: blocking shots, rebounding and anchoring the Pistons' defense. Nesterovic has been solid for the Spurs. Advantage: Pistons.

Bench
If Ginobili is healthy, the advantage would go to the Spurs. But Antonio McDyess gives Detroit another long-armed, active player to throw at Duncan. San Antonio will need Nick Van Exel, Brent Barry and Robert Horry to make shots. Advantage: Even.

Coaching
Flip Saunders has given the Pistons offensive freedom, but the team has maintained its strong defensive play. Gregg Popovich is being patient with his team, knowing that June is a long way off. Advantage: Even.

Prediction: Pistons. The Pistons are playing better than the Spurs right now, and they're at home for Christmas. Their speed and activity at every position will be too much.

[TwoHandJam]

I think our chances of winning in Detroit the way we have been playing right now are pretty low. Add to that the fact that we won't have Manu and the odds go down even more.

Detroit will also want retribution for game 7 last year. It'll depend what Spurs team shows up but I don't like our chances right now. I'll be happy if we compete and at least give ourselves a chance to win.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Christmas day preview

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports

SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT DETROIT PISTONS

The Spurs won the championship a season ago, and their gift from the NBA is a trip to Detroit for Christmas. Thanks a lot, schedule makers.

San Antonio will have to overcome more than just being away for the holidays, of course. Manu Ginobili has missed a couple of weeks with a sprained foot, and the Spurs miss his energy. Losses to Atlanta and Milwaukee make you wonder if the Spurs aren't going through the motions a bit.

Detroit, on the other hand, started off fast and haven't slowed down. They won nine of their first 10 games and are playing with an offensive swagger that they've never had before.

Guards
Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton vs. Tony Parker and Michael Finley
The Piston guards have been dominant and are at their best with the game on the line. The Spurs' Parker is having his finest season ever, and Finley has filled in nicely for Ginobili. Advantage: Pistons.

Forwards
Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen vs. Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince
Duncan has been slowed by inflammation in his plantar fascia, but is still having another stellar year. Bowen is the best perimeter defender in the game. Wallace and Prince are long, active and athletic, and each is capable of a huge scoring night. Advantage: Even.

Center
Ben Wallace vs. Rasho Nesterovic
Big Ben is doing what he does: blocking shots, rebounding and anchoring the Pistons' defense. Nesterovic has been solid for the Spurs. Advantage: Pistons.

Bench
If Ginobili is healthy, the advantage would go to the Spurs. But Antonio McDyess gives Detroit another long-armed, active player to throw at Duncan. San Antonio will need Nick Van Exel, Brent Barry and Robert Horry to make shots. Advantage: Even.

Coaching
Flip Saunders has given the Pistons offensive freedom, but the team has maintained its strong defensive play. Gregg Popovich is being patient with his team, knowing that June is a long way off. Advantage: Even.

Prediction: Pistons. The Pistons are playing better than the Spurs right now, and they're at home for Christmas. Their speed and activity at every position will be too much.

I'm surprised that an article by Steve Kerr would seem a little biased towards the Pistons.

[mikejones99]

Jews don't know enough about basketball, but they can sure hit an open shot. Coaches even?

[pawe]

Kerr knows the spurs and he knows how pop goes so he's just incorporating it in his writings. i think he's just playing it safe coz he knows the spurs will go down this christmas.

[Marklar MM]

The only Jew in basketball is David Stern.

[mikejones99]

What do you think the score will be? GO SPURS

[Rummpd]

With Ginobili out I still see the Spurs winning a close one 100-97.

[mavsfan1000]

I predict the pistons win 100-94.

[FreshPrince22]

Kerr is just trying to jinx us. I'm not buying it.
________
LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL DISPENSARY

[bigbendbruisebrother]

The only Jew in basketball is David Stern.

Wait, you're saying that the spot on Rasheed Wallace's head is NOT a yarmulke? Oy vey!

[theMUHMEshow]

Pistons 98
Spurs 87

It will not be close at all. Only reason Spurs get the scoreboard close is because Pistons always play their scrubs in blowouts. They hardly ever win big. Plus Manu is not playing so that does not help the Spurs at all. The way I REMEMBER the finals Manu or Bowen should have been the MVP...and tomorrow Manu is not playing

[Rummpd]

Dear mavsfan1000:

Sorry we cannot accept predictions from fans of teams that get outscored by one player after 3 quarters and are kept out of the game due to mercy.

[themvp]

I think Spurs will win this one. They are strong.

[THE X-FACTOR]

You're the same guy that said the 21-3 Pistons are no better than a .500 team, maybe that's why.

There is a difference from sarcasm (which most everyone picked up on) and trolling, I guess you still don't know the difference. I am not trying to pick you out on this but if you look at my posts (outside of that ONE sarcasist post) and theirs you can easily tell the difference with some common sense. Anyhow the people who know my posts can tell.

[JamStone]

100-88 Detroit

[Pistons < Spurs]

102 - 92 Detroit

[mikejones99]

IF the Lions can win in San Antonio, I am sure the Spurs can win in Detroit.

[dbreiden83080]

Pistons 98
Spurs 87

The way I REMEMBER the finals Manu or Bowen should have been the MVP...and tomorrow Manu is not playing

You must have watched the finals blind, if that is what you think.

[mavsfan1000]

You must have watched the finals blind, if that is what you think.

That was last year. This year the pistons are better.

[mikejones99]

Pistons fans forge how deep San Antonio is. Finley and Van exel were added to an already deep team and Rasho is healthy this year.