Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Magic, Game Three
by Evan Dunlap on May 7, 2008 5:30 AM EDT
in 2007/2008 Previews
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PrintDetroit Pistons at Orlando Magic, May 7, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
| Eastern Conference Semifinals | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| Pistons Lead Series, 2-0 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 8:00 PM | ||
| TNT | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| C. Billups | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| R. Hamilton | SG | Maurice Evans |
| Tayshaun Prince | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Jason Maxiell | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| R. Wallace | C | Dwight Howard |
| Series Central | ||
The only thing the Pistons have done so far in this series -- apart from win, yes -- is defend their home floor. If the Magic can do the same thing tonight and Saturday night, the series heads back to Detroit for Game Five with the teams even. Let's not worry about the fact that, in losing the first two games of the series on the road, the Magic face long odds to advance. Right now, all they can worry about, and all we can worry about, is winning tonight. Forget about the blowout in Game One. Forget about the clock malfunction in Game Two. Forget about the team plane needing to make a precautionary landing in Cincinnati after Game Two.
Just. Win. Tonight.
How? Hitting threes and free-throws would be a start. In their two wins against the Pistons this year, the Magic shot 21-of-37 (56.8%) from three-point range and 46-of-60 (76.7%) from the foul line. In their four losses, they're 29-of-86 (33.7%) from three-point range and 75-of-115 (65.2%!) from the foul line. Combined, that's a 16-point differential per game, and their losses have come by an average of 14 points.
A loss tonight and we're done. A win tonight and this series will go the distance. The Magic haven't given any indication that they intend to give up. And that's all we can ask for: their best effort.
And now, for your consumption, some Four Factors-y goodness for both teams. The splits show puzzling results. The Magic fare better against the Pistons when they rebound poorly? Um, what?
| Orlando Magic Four Factors, 2007-2008 NBA Season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | O Rtg | eFG% | TO Rate | OReb Rt | FT Rt | |
| Wins vs. DET | 90 | 113.9 | .572 | 15.6 | 17.5 | 33.1 |
| Losses vs. DET | 87 | 100.6 | .468 | 15.2 | 24.4 | 25.5 |
| Diff. | +3 | +13.3 | +.104 | +0.4 | -6.9 | +7.6 |
| Detroit Pistons Four Factors, 2007-2008 NBA Season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | O Rtg | eFG% | TO Rate | OReb Rt | FT Rt | |
| Wins vs. ORL | 87 | 117.2 | .527 | 12.4 | 29.5 | 24.5 |
| Losses vs. ORL | 90 | 102.8 | .439 | 13.3 | 29.9 | 25.8 |
| Diff. | -3 | +14.4 | +.088 | -0.9 | -0.4 | +1.3 |
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Yeah, that is weird about the rebounds
One of the things I was encouraged about in Game 2 was that the Magic outrebounded Detroit 40-35, including 15-8 offensively. I’m not going to wish that the Magic rebound less so that they have a better chance of winning; hopefully their turnovers will be cut down, and their three point shooting will be more consistent.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 3:51 PM EDT reply actions
Game 3
Great game for you guys to take, Detroit doesn’t do well when it comes to game threes. This is the one where you can get it done. With that said, Sheed’s going to love the masks, if anything it fuels the fire.
Good Luck (not really)
Like I said before Ben, you’re a class act.
Great D so far...
Only 2 points for the Pistons in almost 4 minutes of play.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions
This is awesome!
We couldn’t have asked for a better start… gotta keep it up… don’t let ‘em back in it!
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions
Chauncey’s return is questionable according to Pam Oliver.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions
Pistons FG%...
The Pistons are only 2 of 15 from the field so far… Magic 9 of 15.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions
Where is everybody?
I don’t think we’re gonna get 259 comments on this thread like the Game 2 thread.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions
Arroyo...
Yeah, surprised that Dooling isn’t the first point guard off the bench. Anyway, the lead is back up to 13 now.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions
Gortat giving Dwight a rest...
SVG went back to Gortat this game instead of Foyle to replace Dwight, and Gortat had a nice slam dunk.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions
Great first half by Rashard...
Nice to see him back in form, but Turk continues to struggle. The Pistons cut into the lead a little bit, but I still like the Magic’s chances in the second half.
Magic shot 55%, 4 of 12 from three point range, outrebounded the Pistons 19-17, and committed only 4 turnovers in the first half. Also, 5 blocks by Howard.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions
Good half
Lewis is ballin, and Nelson is playing well also. Dwight is dominating. Hedo is…MIA. That 3/4, but with Billups out maybe it is only fair.
Come on Hedo, say it ain’t so about the Hero complex!!!
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
At least Hedo doesn’t have any turnovers… Howard and Arroyo each have two turnovers… that’s all! If the Magic can continue taking good care of the ball in the second half, the Magic should come out the victor.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
Press the rook
They’ve got a rookie running the point. I say we trap him occasionally and see if he’ll cough the ball up. Come on SVG!
Magic lead down to 7...
they have to keep their poise here.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions
In the third quarter...
The Magic were outscored 27-19. Magic shot just 6 of 16 (37.5%) while Pistons shot 9 of 20 (45%) and 9 of 10 from the line.
Yeah, I agree on the foul… not very smart by Dooling.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply actions
Lewis...
is on his way to a season high in points.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions
Last Playoff win vs Detroit
April 27 2003
I remember Armstrong making a shot similar to Evans in that game.
Turk...
This is the best quarter he’s had by far in this series… 8 points on 3 of 4 shooting in the fourth.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe we’ll have a J.J. sighting now.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
I need a celebration cocktail tonight!!!!
by TheGiantSquid on May 7, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Drink up
You have every reason to…great win. I saw that they gave away those noisemakers that were given away in Game 1 against Toronto…they sell those for five bucks now in the arena.
I like the clackity-clacks a lot more than the inflatable bam bam sticks b/c they’re smaller, easier to handle, and make a helluva lot of noise when banged simultaneously XD
Five bucks? rolls eyes The Arena was so packed tonight it took me five minutes to cross the floor to get to the bathroom! But it was so great seeing so many people there, supporting the team. I think the Magic really fed off the energy the crowd was producing. At least, that’s what I’m going to tell myself ;)
by TheGiantSquid on May 7, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
An awesome fourth quarter!
The Magic outscored the Pistons 38-17 on 15 of 24 FG shooting, including 5 of 7 on threes.
by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
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