(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Pistons led wire to wire in the 4th game of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals winnning 75-94 to tie the series at two games a piece. [Box Score]
Why bittersweet you ask? (caution, rant ahead) It was a great win for our guys but it really smarts to realize we could just as easily be up 3-1 in this series. There’s nothing the Pistons did last night that couldn’t have been done on Saturday. The fans that attended game 3 got ripped. I have to go on record with respectfully disagreeing with a far more popular Pistons blog that decreed those who booed the home team that night were not true fans. A couple playoff tickets, gas prices north of $4, parking, and concessions can easily have you in the $400 neighborhood. For a team to not even show up is a slap in the face. It was not a mid-January game against Memphis, it was an Eastern Conference Finals game against a storied rival AT HOME. Those things alone should have brought out the best in our guys, but it didn’t. Just because this team has given us so much over the years doesn’t take away a paying fans right to voice their frustration. It’s not like fans were booing the team’s total body of work. The boos were for the total lack of effort that night. [/rant]
Like I predicted in the game 3 recap the Pistons came out blazing to the tune of a 10-0 start (8 of them by McDyess). What changed? Well the defense was intense, and the Pistons actually looked to take the ball to the cup instead of settling for the jumpers. The Pistons also got much better ball movement which is so key to this team oriented offense.
The game remained close through out despite the final score. Foul troubles really kept the Celtics from being blown out. The Celtics converted on 82% of their 39 free throws. The Pistons ended up attempting 13 less freethrows.
Antonio McDyess came and played like a man on a mission notching game highs in scoring (21) and rebounding (16). Dice has been the most consistent Pistons in this third round averaging a double-double (14.5pts, 10.8 rbs). I guess he’s tired of waiting for his teammates to win him a ring and has decided to go out and get it himself.
“You only have so many opportunities, and they’re limited, especially for me,” he said. “I’m at the end of my career, and I just feel like leaving everything out on the floor.” - NBA.com
Chauncey (10pts, 7asts) was more assertive like everyone said he needed to be. With Mr. Big Shot running the show the Pistons moved the ball so much better. They ended up racking up 27 assists. Again, you can see he’s not 100%, but he doesn’t really have to be in order to be effective.
Jason Maxiell (14pts, 3 rbs) took the bench player of the game honors for game 4. Max got himself some extended minutes due to Rasheed Wallace foul troubles. Jason Maxiell’s night was highlighted by a run down block that owned a Kevin Garnett dunk attempt.
So, now it’s on to the all important and mucho pivotal game five in Boston where the Pistons are going to have to somehow convince themselves they’re down 3-2.
NOTES: Rip Hamilton played in his 114th postseason game, breaking Bill Laimbeer’s team record…Stuart Scott is a fucking dork…Allen, Garnett, & Pierce were held to 11/38…
