The Pistons' tendency to start a game in low gear before heavy-footing the accelerator proved fatal in Orlando. While the visitors were idling, the Magic were burning rubber and speeding to a 20-3 lead early in the first quarter.
2008 NBA Finals
Thursday's Game 1
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On several occasions, Detroit managed to squeeze its deficit to a mere three points, but were never able to seal the deal.
Here are the specifics:
Detroit
Rasheed Wallace started out guarding Rashard Lewis, but was repeatedly out-quicked. Finding himself a step behind most of Lewis' moves, Wallace was in early foul trouble — and expended more energy barking at the refs than he did playing offense. Overall, Wallace was 4-for-15 with 4 rebounds and 11 points. Not the kind of high-octane performance the Pistons need to advance. Jason Maxiell was easily overpowered in the paint by Dwight Howard. As a result, Maxiell — 0-for-2, 2 rebounds, 0 points — was never a factor. Rip Hamilton — 10-for-20, 3 assists, 2 steals, 24 points — missed at least a half-dozen easy shots. Tayshaun Prince's isolations on the right wing — 8-for-14, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 22 points — were the most effective plays in Flip's voluminous book. Chauncey Billups got his feet tangled with Jameer Nelson and suffered a strained hammy only three minutes into the game. Without Mr. Big Shot, the Pistons offense lacked any sense of cohesion. Rodney Stuckey — 5-for-13, 19 points — demonstrated both his athleticism and his inexperience. Walter Herrmann — 1-for-3, 4 points — was the only defender who made Lewis sweat. Both Theo Ratliff and Antonio McDyess were scoreless and useless. With its offense arrhythmic, Detroit ran too many isos — 46 of its points resulted from 1-on-1 plays. The Pistons' meager total of 12 assists (on 31 buckets) proved just how individualistic their offensive thrusts were. When they were able to uncover open shots, the Pistons simply couldn't make enough of them — 40.3 percent. On defense, nobody could contain Lewis, Howard, Hedo Turkoglu or Jameer Nelson. On the Magic's drives and postups, the Pistons' celebrated defensive rotations were either late or absent. With the middle wide open, the Magic shot 53.8 percent. Blowouts happen when one team is more ready to play than the other. Apparently, the Pistons believed that their two wins in Detroit were sufficient to induce the Magic to go belly-up.Overall, it was a startling reprise of the over-confidence that has blighted so many games (and seasons) ever since the Pistons won the championship four years ago.
Orlando
These guys hit the floor running, and when they finally saw the Pistons gaining in the rearview mirror, somebody was able, ready and willing to step up and make a big play.
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| Rashard Lewis torched several Detroit defenders, including Jarvis Hayes. (John Raoux / Associated Press) |
Lewis simply had his best playoff game ever — 11-for-15, including 5-of-6 treys, with 5 assists, 2 steals, and 33 points. He scored every which way — on drives, pull-ups and long-range bombs. Nelson's right-to-left crossovers, jitterbug moves and pull-up springers were also unstoppable — 7-of-14, 4 assists, only 1 turnover, 18 points. Nelson also flexed his considerable muscles by pulling down 7 rebounds — not bad for a runt. Indeed, it was Nelson's early offensive prowess that helped the Magic put their stamp on the game. Yes, Stuckey was routinely bedeviled by Nelson and Billups would have made a difference, but that's the way the hamstring strains. Turkoglu also had a field day — 7-of-18, 6 assists, 18 points. Hedo was able to do what he wanted to against Prince's long, angular, but essentially powerless defense. Howard had several missteps in the low post, committing 3 turnovers and hoisting 2 air-balls among his 8-of-13 shooting. But he did grab 12 rebounds, tally 20 points, and his 6 blocks were incredibly important. The Pistons were never able to handle the Magic's money play, where Howard sets a high brush-screen, cuts to the hoop, turns, seals and receives an entry pass in the shadow of the basket. It generally resulted in either layups, dunks or free throws. If this 22-year-old ever learns how to shoot a decent short-range jumper, all of the other centers in the league will be advised to take out embarrassment insurance. Keyon Dooling made several important shots — 4-for-6, 10 points — to keep the Pistons at bay in his nine minutes of daylight.The Magic played aggressive, quick-handed defense, closing the middle and challenging every shot and every dribble. On offense, they were able to spread the floor, share the ball, milk Lewis' hot hand and attack the defense from a variety of angles.
Orlando's excellent game plan featured relentless assaults on the basket in the early going. Drive, drive, drive. Then, when the Pistons defense was forced to sag, judicious kick-outs got the ball in the hands of the Magic's deadly 3-point shooters — 45.8 percent from the great beyond.
The Magic certainly did it all, and were even able to shift their game into over-drive when the Pistons finally came alive.
What do the Pistons have to do to get back on track?
Put Wallace on Howard and double the youngster as soon as he puts the ball on the floor. Who do they leave open? Either Mo Evans or Keith Bogans. Get Wallace's head rewired. Put Prince on Lewis. Put Maxiell/McDyess on Turkoglu. Pray that Billups is the beneficiary of a miracle cure. Move the ball on offense, and move their feet on defense. Have Stuckey make Nelson play as much post-up defense as possible. Have whoever Howard's guarding set up away from the basket and get involved in handoffs to a circling guard or wing. This is one of the defensive predicaments that Howard still can't solve. Be ready to play from jump-city.And the Magic?
All they have to do is keep on keeping on and Game 4 will be theirs.
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