Pistons one win from NBA Finals after pivotal road win
By Tim Thielke
You thought the Pistons missed the playoffs? Not at PistonPowered. We’re honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2004 NBA championship team by examining each postseason game on the corresponding 2014 date. We’ll look back at Detroit’s performances, detail our memories of that time and provide insight from the players and coaches who were Goin’ to Work every single night. So, stick with us this “offseason.” I have a hunch these Pistons will be playing into June.
| Chauncey Billups, PG 32 MIN | 2-7 FG | 3-3 FT | 4 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 7 PTSBillups kept Jamaal Tinsley in check; but, given Tinsley’s injury, you’d expect him to take more advantage offensively. | ||
| Richard Hamilton, SG 43 MIN | 12-22 FG | 8-8 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 33 PTSHamilton was a beast. Apart from Rasheed, he outscored all other Pistons combined. |
32 MIN | 3-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 3 BLK | 0 TO | 9 PTS
Prince still wasn’t a big asset on offense, but he wasn’t a liability either. And his typical defensive excellence continued.
Rasheed Wallace38 MIN | 8-17 FG | 4-4 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 3 BLK | 3 TO | 22 PTS
This is the all-around big time contribution Dumars had hoped for when he traded for Rasheed.
Ben Wallace41 MIN | 0-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 12 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 5 BLK | 0 TO | 1 PTS
Another fantastic game on one side and pathetic on the other for Ben.
Corliss Williamson16 MIN | 1-7 FG | 3-4 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 5 PTS
Williamson’s defense was solid. His offense, not so much.
Lindsey Hunter16 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS
Apparently, Hunter has won back the first guard off the bench spot?
Mehmet Okur5 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS
Okur had no impact on the outcome of this game.
Mike James5 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS
Darvin Ham4 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS
Not much to grade Ham on, but I’m impressed that he managed to grab a rebound per minute.
Elden Campbell8 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS
Campbell was pretty useless.
, Head Coach The Pistons went back to Indiana and blew the Pacers out. You gotta like Detroit’s chances of making the Finals right now.
-Tim Thielke
From the Frontlines
The Pistons players were always confident in themselves, and after Detroit won an elimination Game 6 in New Jersey, fans realized this team was never out of a series.
But that doesn’t make a Game 5 on the road during a 2-2 series desirable.
Unfortunately, the Pistons put themselves in that unenviable position by finishing behind the Pacers in the standings.
“Joe Dumars was really upset because we didn’t have homecourt all the way through,” Hanners said. “He was mad at Larry about it or disappointed or whatever you want to.”
Thankfully, the Pistons won this one to re-take homecourt advantage in the series.