NBA Playoffs Rundown

Detroit 94 Boston 75: The Detroit Pistons bounced back in a big way after their Game 3 loss at home to the Celtics. They really brought great energy in this game on both ends of the floor. It is really no surprise that this series is headed back to Boston tied up 2-2. Whoever wins Game 5 will definitely be in the drivers seat and I think that game is going to be real intense.

After Game 3, I had said that the Pistons hurt themselves by not going to Antonio McDyess more:

I thought that the Pistons hurt themselves by going away from Antonio McDyess in this game as well. He is one of their better options on the offensive end because the Celtics are giving him open jumpers and he continues to knock them down

Well, Game 4 was a different story because Antonio McDyess exploded for 21 points and 16 rebounds. Seems like the Pistons realized that McDyess is one of their better mismatches in the series. It will be interesting to see if the Celtics do anything differently to defend him in Game 5.

The Pistons offense overall was great in this game, as they shot 51.4% from the floor. Rip Hamilton had a strong game shooting 8 of 10 from the floor, scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists. Rasheed Wallace also played well shooting 6 of 9 from the floor, scoring 14 points, grabbing 5 boards and blocking 5 shots. Jason Maxiell was a big time difference maker off the bench in this game as well and he was a perfect 6 of 6 from the floor and finished with 14 points.

For the Celtics, their offense was pretty horrible the whole game. They take way too much time getting up the floor and getting into their offense and it's even worse when Sam Cassell is running the point. I honestly would not even play him at this point because he slows them down too much and tends to take bad shots. I would probably live and die with Rondo, even though he continues to pass up open looks.

None of the Boston starters played particularly well on offense but Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce led them with 16 points a piece. Garnett added 10 rebounds, while Pierce pulled down 8. Ray Allen continues to struggles, shooting only 2 of 8 from the floor and it looks like his Game 2 performance was just an aberration at this point.

I expect the Celtics to play much better at home in Game 5 but it is no guarantee that they will win. Both teams are going to bring an extra intensity because whoever wins that game is definitely going to be in the drivers seat. Things could get a little chippy in the game, so be on the lookout for that as well.