Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Magic, Game Five
by Evan Dunlap on May 13, 2008 5:30 AM EDT
in 2007/2008 Previews
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PrintOrlando Magic at Detroit Pistons, May 13, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
| Eastern Conference Semifinals | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 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
hope
The Magic went 27-14 on the road this year. This is a winnable game. The season is not over. Go Magic.
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
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
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
Rashard...
0 for 4 from the field with 3 turnovers!
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions
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
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
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.
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
Keyon needs to stop biting on pump-fakes
That’s what killed him on Saturday with Hamilton and that just hurt him on Hunter.
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
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
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
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
Par for the course
Turk gets a relatively easy layup, misses it, Dwight gets the rebound, fumbles it away.
Yup.
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
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
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
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.
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
Pistons have 11 more shot attempts than the Magic.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
Everything in this game favors the Pistons
The pace, the Magic’s high TO rate, the Magic’s poor FT shooting…
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Our assist/turnover ratio...
is really ugly at 3/10.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
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
Magic haven’t scored since the 5:57 mark.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions
lol
Hamilton stops, drops, and rolls after getting a love-tap from Dwight. Dude is almost as bad as Ginobili.
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
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.
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
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
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.
No excuse for Lewis losing that rebound!
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions
Is it irony...
if we’re the first to be eliminated from the 2nd round when we were the first to eliminate in the first?
Like a thousand spoons
when all ya need is a knife?
by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
haha, Pam Oliver
“The Magic have only committed something like 12000 turnovers. How is this game even this close?”
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Yeah that pretty much sums it up right there.
by TheGiantSquid on May 13, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
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
Oh my God
What the heck was that by Evans? A turnaround, fadeaway, one-handed bank shot over a 6’10” guy?1
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…
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
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
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
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.
Don't the Pistons ever shoot under 90% from the line for a game?
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
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
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
Nice effort by Turk on the offensive boards.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions
That's the way!!
Finally, some life shown by Rashard!
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions
Yay!!
We actually made two free throws!
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions
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
Pam Oliver to Flip Saunders: "Nobody said it would be easy..."
Actually, everyone said it’d be easy…
Only THREE turnovers by the Pistons so far...
15 for the Magic.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions
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
This is probably the most miserable I've ever been
re: a sports game. Gotta keep perspective.
It was fun, everyone. :(
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
Even I’m running out of optimism now.
by Mike from Illinois on May 13, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions
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
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
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