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The Pistons just seemed like they couldn’t sustain any rhythm in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals, losing the game 79-88. [Box Score]

The Celtics played good defense and like they did during the three regular season meetings were able to disrupt what the Pistons wanted to do on offense. But it wasn’t all Celtics D that did the Pistons in last night. Two numbers that jump out at you and let you know that the Pistons just couldn’t get in sync were the uncharacteristically low assist total of 15 and the un-Piston-like 13 turnovers (7 of which came in the 3rd quarter alone).

Those two numbers also are pretty telling that our floor leader, Chauncey Billups, has been effected by the time off recovering from the strained hamstring. Chauncey wasn’t able to take advantage of his match up with Rajon Rondo. Billups numbers tell the tale, only 9 points, 2 assist, 2 turnovers. He didn’t have his same explosiveness or swagger. But, let’s not go so far as to say Chauncey when fully back into the swing of things is going to dribble Rondo like a basketball. Chauncey is with out a doubt the better of the two guards, but I’ve reluctantly come to realize that the Celtics point guard (who bares a strong resemblance to Earthworm Jim of Sega Genesis fame) is a formidable foe.



Although the Pistons as a team didn’t look all that great there were some pretty good individual efforts.

Tayshaun Prince continues to be the Pistons most consistent performer. Tayshaun led the Pistons with 16 points on 7/16 shooting.

Antonio McDyess kept the Pistons in the game early hitting his patented 15-17 jumpers. Dice finished with a 14 point and 11 rebound double-double.

Rodney Stuckey played well and the ESPN talking heads were all over Stuck for his contributions both during the game and his play as a rookie cracking the ‘Stonz rotation. It’s a good thing he’s ready to contribute as a first year player especially last night with Chauncey trying to get back to where he was before he did the splits in game 3 of the semis.

Their were some Celtics that played well as too but I’ll leave that to the 164 Celtic blogs to elaborate on.

Here’s a totally unrelated (and totally hilarious) YT that should put a smile on your face after a less than stellar performance by our guys last night. It’s some Russian political press conference where rascality ensues. (I’m sure it’s the only known case where levity and Russian politics have ever intercepted one another).