Game 5 Review

Where the hell has that been for the last couple of weeks?

It wasn't perfect, but it was a lot closer to the Pistons team that we saw cruise through the regular season than it was to the pro version of Michigan hoops that we've been treated to since game 3 of the Cleveland series (Wait, we just threw away another entry pass?)

This sets up a Game 6 in name only tonight. It's Game 7 for the Pistons, because if they lose, they're done. It's Game 7 for the Heat, because they simply can't afford to have to come back to Detroit all-square. I feel pretty good about Detroit's chances, just so long as a team slightly resembling the regular season Pistons shows up tonight. They are, afterall, 8-0 in Game 6's since 2003, and 6-0 on the road in Game 6's in that span.

They did an adequate job on Wade in Game 5 (by the way, it says a lot for that kid that he was something like 10 of 17 from the floor and I'm happy about it). They did a much better job getting the ball inside--for a little while. And the open shots were there. Sheed and Hamilton need to knock down their open looks tonight. Sheed's been off this whole series, and Hamilton has been brutal in the second half of several games. Last game we had 3 of our 5 starters playing well on the offensive end--and despite what one of the Detroit papers said, Billups did play well on the offensive end...when you have a 10-1 assist to turnover ratio, I can live with some missed shots. They're going to need at least that tonight, but I'd prefer if Hamilton was among those shooting well tonight.

If the Pistons should come back and win this series, the highlight of Ben's block on Shaq (and he won the subsequent jump ball, too!!) will go down as the biggest defensive play since Tayshaun's block on Reggie Miller.

For at least a night, the old Pistons were back. Now it's up to them to make sure it's not too little, too late.

And for God's sake, please don't let Dick Bavetta or Dan Crawford be doing the game tonight....