NBA Playoffs Rundown

Boston 106 Detroit 102: The Boston Celtics moved a step closer to making the NBA Finals after their win in an intense Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons. At one point in the third quarter, Boston led by as many as 17 points, a lead that Detroit was able to cut down to 1 with 8 seconds left before Boston was finally able to make the plays to secure the victory. The Celtics now have a 3-2 lead in the series and will try to close things out in Game at Detroit but this is looking like it is going to be a 7 game series.

The Boston Celtics got some huge performances offensively in this game. Kevin Garnett scored 33 points on 11 of 17 shooting and pulled down 7 rebounds. Garnett really has been great throughout the playoffs and has not been getting the credit he deserves because they Celtics have not won in the fashion that people would like to see.

Meanwhile, Ray Allen stepped up big time in this and ended his shooting slump at least for one night. Allen shot 9 of 15 from the floor, including 5 of 6 on three-pointers, and finished with 29 points, which was a playoff high for him. Allen also hit a clutch jumper and some clutch free throws down the stretch.

The Celtics absolutely destroyed the Pistons on the boards, 42-25, and that effort was lead by big Kendrick Perkins, who grabbed 16 rebounds. Offensively, Perkins channeled his inner-Robert Parish and came up big scoring 18 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Definitely a big time clutch performance by Perkins in this game. He set the tone by dominating the boards and the added offense was a big boost to the Celtics. When Perkins plays this well, the Celtics can be tough to beat.

Paul Pierce also had a solid all around game for the Celtics. He finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Between Garnett, Allen, Pierce , and Perkins, they combined to score 96 of the Celtics 106 points. Only two other Celtics scored in the whole game. Rajon Rondo struggled shooting only 3 of 14 from the floor and finished with 7 points and James Posey had the other 3 points. Doc Rivers really tightened up the rotation in this game and really only used two guys off the bench for extended minutes.

For Detroit offensively, Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton really had it going in this one. They both hit some huge shots down the stretch along with Rodney Stuckey, who continues to impress. Billups finished with 26 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds and it looks like he is starting to get back to full strength. Rip Hamilton finished with 25 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. The two guards combined to shoot 17 of 18 from the free throw line to lead a Pistons team that shot 29 of 38 overall from the line.

The Pistons also shot well from three-point land, hitting 11 of 21 three-pointers in the game overall. They were led by Rasheed Wallace, who stepped outside and made an impressive 6 of 9 from deep. Rasheed finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Unlike Game 4, Antonio McDyess was almost non-existent in this game and he finished with 4 points and 5 rebounds on only 1 of 2 shooting before fouling out. McDyess really killed the Celtics in Game 4 and he was the key to that victory but Game 5 was a different story and the Pistons weren't able to replace his production.

With Game 6 being in Detroit, I would imagine that the Pistons would win that game, unless the Celtics come up with a heroic performance. I expect to see the Pistons headed back to Boston for Game 7 that would be any one's for the taking. So far this series has not disappointed as all the games have been pretty competitive.