PistonsPage: In depth preview of Pistons vs. Celtics game

14 Vote

by Oneflydude

I usually don't do game previews or recaps for sports, but I felt this game was worth it. The two best teams in the Eastern Conference are getting ready to square off tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Celtics (20-2) and the Detroit Pistons (17-7) have two of the best defenses in the NBA and it will be interesting to see what is in store for tonight's game. Many people are favoring the Celtics over the Pistons because of Boston's 20-2 record. They hold the best record in the league and they're challenging the '95 Chicago Bulls record of 72 wins.

The "Big Three" will be challenged by perhaps, the best starting five in the league. Matchups will include Rasheed Wallace/Antonio McDyess against Kevin Garnett, Tayshaun Prince against Paul Pierce, and Rip Hamilton against Ray Allen. Flip Saunders will have to watch Allen though. Rip plays a lot of mediocre defense and Saunders might have to look towards his bench for help to try and hold down Allen. Rookie, Arron Afflalo might have to come in the game to put some defensive pressure on Allen. It may seem like a bad idea to put a rookie on a veteran, but Afflalo has shown his great defensive skills in his minutes. He knows how to hold opponents to fewer shots, force bad shots, break up plays and create turnovers. I would expect to see him in tonight's game, often. Allen is also coming off of a sore right ankle, so he could possibly be a little slow coming into the game. But holding down one star won't solve the Pistons' problem. If Sheed has his head on straight tonight, he should be able to play some good D against Garnett. McDyess is not the best defensive resort, so Sheed will have to step it up because he's not playing an ordinary power forward. This is one of the most versatile, elite forwards in the game and he can kill you in so many ways. Garnett is so dangerous on the court, whether he is in the paint, or outside the paint. He has the ability to knock down that short jumper, and he can kill in the post.

If Sheed can't help, the Pistons can put their new reserve to the test, Primoz Brezec. This could be his chance to show Flip Saunders what he has to offer. Brezec has the height to stay down in the paint and try to limit Boston from taking the ball to the rim. The key for the Pistons defense is to play zone defense. Detroit doesn't have the right personal to guard the Celtics one-on-one. If they could possibly put Rasheed Wallace and Jason Maxiell in the post while running the 3-2 zone, they will be very tough to get past. This will force some perimeter shots to be mad, and the Celtics do shoot a respectable 42.6% from behind the arch. The Celtics have so many other ways to beat you, so it is necessary to force them to shoot, despite their three point percentage and their field goal percentage (47.9%). Detroit will also have to limit the second chance points for Boston. The Celtics are second in the league win RPG, so that means the big men for the Pistons will have to box out and fight for those rebounds.

Now the Celtics do hae the best defense in the league, so Saunders will have to draw up a few plays to get past Boston. Jump shots can't be what the Pistons depend on, unless they're hitting all of them. One thing that the Pistons guards have trouble doing is driving the ball to the basket. That will be difficult for them to do if Boston is playing their usual zone with Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett down in the paint. The only way to break that zone down is by rotating the ball around and trying to force penetration (no brokeback mountain reference) on the defense to create open looks. Boston will have to be aware of Jason Maxiell when he comes off of the bench. He is an outstanding rebounder in the paint and he has learned what to do with the ball in his hands. He can draw the foul when trying to put the ball in the basket, and he isn't afraid toget into the air and slam one in.

Once again, here is what the Pistons will need to do tonight...

Defense

1) Clog up the paint; don't let them take the ball to the hole.

2) Try to limit playing man-to-man defense unless the right personal is in.

3) Play zone. Bring in your best two, big defenders in the paint to stop the easy lay ins.

4) Watch Ray Allen. Even though he's coming off of an injury, don't sleep on his perimeter shooting. 3-2 zone will help.

5) Let the becnh come in to help your starters on defense.

Offense

1) If there is an open look to take a shot, sink it. Running screen plays will help.

2) Drive the ball to the paint and don't be afraid to draw the foul. Don't let Garnett intimidate you.

3) If Boston is running zone D, pass the ball around to break that zone down

4) Don't be afraid to bring in the bench Flip!!! Afflalo has shown his skills and Maxiell is the best sixth man you've got!!!

5) Box out in the paint. Try and get the ball back off of a mised shot, and don't blow those second chances!

Tip-off is around 7:00 p.m.

You can catch this game on ESPN.

DEEEEEEEEETTRROOOOOIITT BAAAAASSKEEETTTBAAAALLLLL!!!

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