The Detroit Pistons will take on the Orlando Magic in the first-round of the playoffs, in a series that is already being billed as a physical slugfest that might get ugly. While that sounds great to the old heads like me, it also has a chance to be boring depending on how it is called.
We have a great opportunity for a throwback series, but the refs may end up being the X-Factor, and they will have to find the Goldilocks Zone with their whistle, or we could be in for a snoozer.
Pistons vs. Magic is good news for people who like free throws
A lot of NBA fans were hoping the Hornets would get through, as Detroit vs. Charlotte seemed to offer the best chance for an exciting series. I never thought that, and can’t stand watching the Hornets, so am happy to see Orlando even though they are a tougher matchup.
If the Pistons had played Charlotte, we would have likely gotten four games like the one we got last night.
While Orlando vs. Detroit has a much better chance of being physical and competitive, it also has a chance to feature a lot of free throws, as these two teams foul and get fouled as much as nearly any in the league.
Orlando is 1st in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game, and Detroit is 3rd, so these teams are used to getting to the line.
But they also like to send teams there as the Pistons are 1st in fouls per game and the Magic are 5th, so these are physical teams that not only live at the line but are sending their opponents there at a high rate.
One advantage Orlando does have is that they are 8th in the league in free throw percentage, while Detroit is just 27th, so the Pistons have to knock them down when they do get to the line because the Magic are going to make theirs.
Unfortunately, this combination of factors could make for a LOT of free throw shooting depending on how the game is called.
Finding the Goldilocks Zone
The refs will need to find the “just right” zone between calling these games too tightly and allowing them to devolve into too much physicality.
The way these two teams foul, we could see players out with foul trouble early in every game if the refs aren’t letting them play.
But if they let them play too much, we could see games being played in the 90’s and it increases the chances of fights and injuries.
I don’t envy the refs in this one, as they will have a tough job finding the middle ground and will be the determining factor in how entertaining this series is.
Add us as a preferred source on Google