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Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Magic, Game Five

Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons, May 13, 2008 7:00 PM EDT


Eastern Conference Semifinals
Orlando Magic main logo
@
Detroit Pistons main logo
Pistons Lead Series, 3-1
The Palace of Auburn Hills
7:00 PM
TNT
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG Chauncey Billups
Maurice Evans SG Richard Hamilton
Hedo Turkoglu SF Tayshaun Prince
Rashard Lewis PF Jason Maxiell
Dwight Howard C Rasheed Wallace
Series Central

Let's get this bit of news out of the way first: Chris McCoskey reports (thanks, DBB) that Chauncey Billups will play tonight if he feels ready; that is, the Pistons have no plans to hold him out as a precautionary measure. I'd expect that Rodney Stuckey would start once more for Detroit if Billups doesn't feel well enough to play.

The Magic need to win three straight games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and become the eighth team in NBA history to comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Obviously, that's a tall order, especially against a Pistons team that's surging after its spectacular come-from-behind victory in Orlando on Saturday.

The Pistons had one three-game losing streak this season: from January 18th to January 21st, they dropped consecutive games to the Sacramento Kings, to the Chicago Bulls, and to the Magic. In each of those losses, the Pistons shot an effective field goal percentage well below their average. But the real reason the Pistons lost those games was their poor defense, specifically their tendency to foul. The Bulls and Magic shot 36 and 37 free throws, respectively, in those games, in which the Pistons were the visitors. Hmmm.

And in those losses the Kings and the Bulls, the Pistons allowed their opponent's bench to erupt. Kevin Martin, Mike Bibby, and Ron Artest combined for 58 of Sacramento's 100 points; similarly, Ben Gordon contributed 33 off Chicago's pine. Since the Magic's reserves provide little in the way of offense, the Magic's better bet is to drive aggressively to the basket and hope to get fouled, then convert on the subsequent free-throws. Defensive free-throw rate was the Pistons' biggest weakness in the regular season, and it showed in their only three-game skid of the year.

Two caveats: three games in the middle of January does not a great sample size make; and the Kings' big bench scorers in that game typically start. But I thought it was worth examining nonetheless.

Tipoff's at 7 on TNT. Our season could officially end at or around 9:30. Think about that one for a second.

Go Magic. Prove Jameer right.

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Magic Win, Magic Win

Just practicing for tonights post game thread.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on May 13, 2008 7:57 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

hope

The Magic went 27-14 on the road this year. This is a winnable game. The season is not over. Go Magic.

by magic fanatic on May 13, 2008 11:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

A Magic win is possible...

Jameer’s guarantee notwithstanding. Last season, in the East Semifinals, the Pistons had a 3-1 series lead against the Bulls going into Game 5 at Detroit, but the Bulls went into Detroit and pulled off the upset to keep the series going, eventually losing in six games.

The pressure is kind of off the Magic now as most people expect the Pistons to end the series tonight; as a result, the Pistons may not be nearly as intense with a two-game cushion and the Magic should go into the game with a what-have-we-got-to-lose attitude.

The Pistons are favored by 6 1/2 points according to pinnaclesports.com.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Turnovers...

Three silly turnovers so far from the Magic… gotta take better care of the ball!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Howard...

Bad start for Dwight… 1 for 3 from the field, 0 for 2 from the line.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh my God

It’s like NOBODY on this team has ever thrown an entry pass. Ever.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rashard...

0 for 4 from the field with 3 turnovers!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

He came up big in our lone win in this series. He needs to get it going. He could start by

  • not blowing layups
  • not throwing outlet passes five feet behind the intended receiver
    • not throwing outlet passes to players with no handle anyway

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We’re shooting 50% from the field, but 7 turnovers good for 12 Pistons’ points… simply unacceptable.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I CAN HAZ AGGRESSION?!1

Even with Howard and Evans camped in the lane as Prince posts up Bogans, the Pistons get the offensive rebound.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe it’s a good sign we’re only down 6, considering how bad we’ve looked.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Keyon needs to stop biting on pump-fakes

That’s what killed him on Saturday with Hamilton and that just hurt him on Hunter.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic are doing well shooting threes… hopefully that’ll keep up.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That might have been Rashard’s worst quarter in a Magic uniform!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

first quarter stats...

Magic shooting 57%, Detroit 39%... Magic are outrebounding Pistons 11-9… Pistons a 6/3 AST/TO ratio compared to the Magic’s 3/8 ratio.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dwight's free throw shooting...

still leaves a lot to be desired… just 2 for 6 in the first quarter. Pistons 2 for 2 on FTs.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Par for the course

Turk gets a relatively easy layup, misses it, Dwight gets the rebound, fumbles it away.

Yup.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dwight’s doing a good job of getting to the line, but geez, he’s gotta make ‘em!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Fans sound bored

Not much to be excited about. Not a well played game by either team so far.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bogans...

We need his scoring off the bench…. two missed threes by him not good.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lots of empty seats when the game started… a late arriving crowd.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay, if you're going to double-team Rasheed....

At least rotate off him in time so you can box everyone out. Doesn’t matter if the team shoots a poor percentage if it gets all the second-chance opportunities it wants.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah Ben… Pistons have 7 offensive rebounds already… Pistons 0 for 4 on threes so far and shooting just 36% overall.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pistons have 11 more shot attempts than the Magic.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

GORTAT!

Let’s see if he can school Rasheed for the third straight game.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank goodness the Pistons are shooting just 34% from the field.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

BOGANS?!?!?

It took him 5 years in the league, but he finally figured out that he’s allowed to take the ball to the basket.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Big three point play by Bogans!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We actually have a six point lead despite all the turnovers and Pistons’ offensive rebounds… this could be our night!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, thing is, they’re going to get it going eventually (after seeing their second-half dominance on Saturday, I refuse to believe they’ll mail in a whole game) and we’re going to hit a wall eventually.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what I want to see

Herrmann throwing garbage at the basket - that might have been the worst shot any Piston has taken this series, and they employ Jarvis Hayes - and the Magic getting a three-pointer in transition. Jameer, no less.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic shooting

Rashard Lewis: 0-5, 0 points
Rest of team: 11-16, 31 points

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pistons now have 13 more shot attempts than the Magic, but are shooting just 32%.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it would help our cause even more if Lewis can get going.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dwight returns for Marcin

He’ll probably play the rest of the game, barring foul trouble.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay, that's crap

Hamilton falls down on his own, Lewis gets whistled for the foul. Pfft.

But if Bogans hadn’t rushed that three, it would not have come to that.

Thank goodness Evans is back.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Did anyone else see that?

Hamilton hit that three, and Marcin pulled the collar of his warmup shirt over his head and started massaging it.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That was the first Pistons’ three of the game…. they’re now 1 for 8 shooting threes.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Seven in a row by the Pistons to retake the lead… c’mon Rashard, make the free throws!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic haven’t scored since the 5:57 mark.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

lol

Hamilton stops, drops, and rolls after getting a love-tap from Dwight. Dude is almost as bad as Ginobili.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Evans wasn’t even looking for the pass from Howard, but nice three to stop the Detroit run.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hunter hits a three

Detroit’s woken up, it has momentum, and we can’t get anything done on offense.

It’s been a nice season, though.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ben, I think one of your posts tomorrow is going to be… Anatomy of a Second Quarter collapse!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Poor Ben :-/

I don’t even know if I can watch the game. I’ll probably just stick to the thread like I did during the game 2 loss. It’s less devastating.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's why I like Rasheed

Nice hack on Dwight. Doesn’t give up any easy buckets, but also doesn’t put anyone’s life at risk, either.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No excuse for Lewis losing that rebound!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm still not giving up on this game...

If we can cut down on the turnovers and be more aggressive on the boards and shoot free throws better, we have a chance… as bad as we’ve looked, we’re only down 6.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Chuck sure has a lot of confidence in the Magic, doesn’t he?

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I remember watching him on NBA insider or whatever it’s called criticizing the Magic crowd during a recap of game 3, saying they were too quiet and that they shouldn’t give up on the team when they’re only down a few points.

Takes his own advice, I see. Also, he’s kind of an idiot.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

My problem with him is that he’s sometimes just, uh, wrong. Like when he said the Magic needed another three-point shooter. Uh… we take 25 threes a game and we make 39% of them.

I appreciate his candor, if nothing else. Magic Johnson’s the one who has to go.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like his candor too, but other than that, he’s just…blah.

Haha, poor Magic Johnson. He’s pretty awful. Speaking of awful—awfully AWESOME, how can you not love Reggie Miller?? “He’s got the crowd out of its feet!” LOLOLOL.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Key stat of the second quarter...

Pistons were just 7 of 20 from the field, but 11 of 12 from the free throw line. Hamilton scored 15 second quarter points on 8 of 8 free throws as Detroit outscored the Magic 20-8 to end the quarter.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Quote of the year from a DBB commenter

We has a winar!!1

As frustrating as it can be to be a Pistons fan, it has got to be worse to be a Magic fan right now. Detroit missing a ton of open jumpers in the middle of the half, and the Magic can’t capitalize. It’s like they are holding open the door for Orlando and the Magic keep walking into the wall.

That last sentence made me chortle… and then I died a little bit inside.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah that pretty much sums it up right there.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

For the half...

Magic are shooting 53.5%, compared to just 37.3% for the Pistons. However, the Pistons are 13 of 14 from the FT line, compared to a pitiful 7 of 16 for the Magic. Magic are outrebounding the Pistons 21-18, but Pistons have 10 offensive rebounds to just 5 for the Magic. I saved the ugliest stat for last… Pistons have a 10/3 assist/turnover ratio, while the Magic have an embarrassing 6/12 ratio.

Pistons have taken 15 more shots from the field than the Magic.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's what happens when you get out and run!

Turkoglu is so good in transition. We haven’t seen drives this strong since T-Mac was here…

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We're only down 2!

This game is there for the taking!! C’mon Magic!!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Your optimism

...is always refreshing. And very foreign to me. Where do you get it? Can I buy some for myself?

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"..."

That’s my official comment on that WNBA commercial.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Missed it

Was it one where a girl is saying really negative things about women’s basketball and then the commercial comments that she wouldn’t say those things, why would you?

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes!

Jameer! No more jumpers! DRIVE! DRIIIIVE!!

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dwight's (im)maturity...

really shows during the playoffs against a more seasoned team. He’s getting so flustered, missing shots, turning the ball over. It’s sad.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gotta go

Babysitting neice and nephew :( Have fun in the thread, everyone.

Come on, Magic DDD:

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's the way to drive and attack!

Have fun Squid… hope we can talk about a Magic win later.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic are shooting 7 for 11 from the field so far in the third… their good shooting is keeping them in the game.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice effort by Turk on the offensive boards.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What was that by Lewis and Bogans?

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's the way!!

Finally, some life shown by Rashard!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yay!!

We actually made two free throws!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic outscored the Pistons 27-18 in the third…. all we need is a solid fourth quarter, and we’ll see a Game 6 in Orlando Thursday night!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic 0 for 3 from the field so far in the fourth, but we’re still hanging on.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I've hijacked sister's laptop

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG COME ON MAGIC OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This is probably the most miserable I've ever been

re: a sports game. Gotta keep perspective.

It was fun, everyone. :(

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Prince's three

That’ll just about do it.

Magc down by 6 with fewer than 6 minutes to play. The Pistons are in the bonus, and the Magic can’t get any open looks.

It’s been a nice season.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it would help if...

we could score every now and then.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It's not over yet...

I think the Magic still have one more run left in them.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The 76ers were able to take advantage in game 1 when everyone thought it was over. The fact that we can’t is most depressing.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We just can’t make any shots!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

McDyess muscles it in.

No continuation, though. Wow. A lot of guys would have given it to him.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Can't watch anymore

Gonna put the kiddies to bed. Then have some tequila. And rum. And rum-flavored ice cream. And more tequila. With vodka.

by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This is it...

the last run I was talking about for the Magic.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Magic are just 2 of 10 from the field in the fourth, but at least they’ve made all 4 FTs.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow you can see our lack of poise. Bogans nearly lost the ball with really no pressure at all.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It went out of bounds, too. The officials missed it. Didn’t matter, though.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Refs missed a call there, but the Magic couldn’t take advantage.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the Magic couldn’t take advantage.

The story of the series right there.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We’ve still got a chance. We just need execution. No crazy 3’s. No need for a 3.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

BIG decision there by Mauer

Points in Orlando’s direction… then changes his mind (might have been the right call, I don’t care) and gives it to the Pistons. The Magic will have no choice but to foul.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What do we do now?

go for the three or the quick two?

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

19 seconds is a ton of time. A wild 3 point attempt would be a waste. Go to the hole and look for the quick 2.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If it’s an open three, GO FOR IT!!

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If they collapse we can kick it out for a much better 3 point shot, if they don’t collapse we should get a layup. If we go for a 2, though, we need it in less than 7 seconds.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Damn. Damn damn damn.

Right idea, but Tayshaun’s too long.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah...

great play by Prince.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Prince blocks the jam

That’s two games he’s won for the Pistons in this series.

by Ben Q Rock on May 13, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Even I’m running out of optimism now.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

In all fairness, it looked like the pass was bad from here. Historically it’s never a good idea to inbound that close to the out of bounds line.

by Snoopy2006 on May 13, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Again, just like in Game 4, there will be so many things we could look at as to why the Magic didn’t win this game.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Would you believe...

only THREE turnovers the entire game for the Pistons, and a whopping 21 for the Magic. We all agreed the Magic needed to take better care of the ball and shoot their free throws better to have a chance at winning this game; they did neither, but still only lost by 5 points.

by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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