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Must-win for Detroit in Game 4

by David Pincus
2006-05-29

After struggling against the 50-win Cavaliers, the Pistons were sure to have problems when they faced the 52-win Heat. Detroit has been the most successful NBA team the past three years. However their franchise record 64 wins will go for naught if they go down 3-1 to Miami.

Detroit prides themselves on their defense, and statistically have been were one of the best in the League this season. However they're defense has been pitiful so far. Not only did they fail to stop LeBron James in the last round, but they've allowed Dwyane Wade to showcase a 69% field-goal percentage so far.

Even worse, they haven't stopped the other of the big duo: Shaq. O'Neal is facing a rebirth of his old dominance with 20.7 PPG, even against 4-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace. Both Wade and Shaq can't have great games; the Chicago series was proof enough. But so far it appears like Detroit can't stop either of them.

The two bigmen for Detroit have looked lethargic through three games. Rasheed Wallace hasn't walked the walk in games they've lost. In Game 2 he shot 6-12 with 16 points in a win. The other two games he shot a combined 7-21 with 18 points with a pair of losses. Ben Wallace's poor free throw shooting has affected the rest of his game. He needs to step up as well, or Shaq will continue to dominate.

Overall as a team Detroit has struggled. On Saturday the Heat shot a ridiculous 58%, while holding the Pistons to 42% for a 15-point lead. Their starting five, which was so robust to almost be voted entirely into the All-Star Game, has logged a ton of minutes. Only Lindsey Hunter and Antonio McDyess have been able to make it off the bench. And while both have played well, Flip Saunders has been reluctant to play either down the stretch.

Saunders is going to have to realize that if Detroit plays as a five-man team they'll lose. They have former all-stars on their bench who can at least give Billups and Hamilton a rest. Last year, Eldon Campbell played the first 7 points of the 4th quarter of Game 7 to give the Wallaces some time to rest.

Even still, Detroit doesn't seem sure of themselves. For two years they were the slowest, defensive team in the League and rarely reached triple-digits. They even played a game against the Jazz that was 62-20 when it ended. But this year they rely on the scoring to win, and their defense, while still strong, hasn't been as profound as it used to be. It's been taken to a new level in the playoffs, where they've won just two of six road games with a combined 12 points for their margin of victory.

Now they have a choice: to play offensively or defensively. Miami is going to put points on the board regardless of how well Detroit plays. The question is how much? If Detroit can hold Miami to around 90 points they should be able to win. But this whole season has revolved around their offense. Are they going to focus on their defense like they used to, or will the Wallaces focus on their offensive woes?

Either way it's a must-win tonight. Detroit cannot afford to trail three games to two going into a Game 6 like they did to the Cavaliers. If Detroit truly is the great team we perceive them to be, then they should win tonight. Then again, we have no idea which Pistons team is going to show up.