5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5

In the latest in our continuing series, we look at five things to keep an eye on tonight in the Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 between the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics.

1. Roll Of The McDyess: Antonio McDyess of all freaking people has proved pivotal in this series. The Celtics are supposed to dominate inside with Kevin Garnett and the Perkins/Powe/Davis trifecta, but it's been the Pistons who have been controlling the down low. McDyess is averaging close to 15 points and 11 rebounds, and has come up with huge shots when the Pistons have needed it. The Celtics have to have bigger contributions defensively from their young players to get McDyess back to average.

2. Dual-Sided Mismatch: Sam Cassell is too old to effectively contribute against the Pistons. Chauncey Billups is too injured to effectively contribute against the Celtics. Rajon Rondo is too young to take the reins for too long. Rodney Stuckey is too young to take the reins for too long. This matchup has been fascinating due to the subtle differences between the two point guard combos (as opposed to combo guards). Rondo has terrific defensive acumen but his youth causes him to overplay sometimes, picking up useless fouls and leaving the baseline vulnerable. Stuckey tends to force things offensively and doesn't always allow the system to flow through him like it does through Billups. Whoever takes control of this game tonight, and it's usually Rondo at home, will probably provide the cornerstone for a victory for his team.

3. Eastern Conference Battle Of Ineptitude Continues: Doc Rivers does a really great job of motivating his guys, keeping them focused, and putting their heads in the right place. Unfortunately, he couldn't X and O his way out of a cardboard box. Conversely, Flip Saunders can design a perfectly elite offensive scheme, compliment it with a series of sharp defensive adjustments, and make the most out of the weaponry available. Unfortunately, he couldn't motivate the anal retentive to clean. It'll be interesting to see what happens tonight. Rivers tends to do the only thing that's gotten him this far in pivotal game 5s in Boston this postseason, and just let his starters play as long as possible. If he gets itchy with that lineup trigger, though, Saunders will capitalize with a bench that is evidently deeper than Boston's. Conversely, Boston should be ready to play, armed with that trademarked ferocity you see on so many commercials and pregame videos. The Pistons? Who knows? They and only they decide when they're going to execute like they are capable of.

4. The Need For Sheed: If the Pistons want to send abject terror into the hearts of the green faithful, Rasheed Wallace has to have a monster game. If he can get his baseline turnaround going, it's almost unstoppable, and changes the dynamic of the defense, causing them to shift and leaving the Pistons perimeter shooters open. When he mopes and mucks his way through another disappointing performance, the Pistons are largely without firepower. Tonight might be a good night for Sheed to flip the switch, or whatever he does in that brain of his.

5. Pressure, Coming Down On You: The Pistons know what this is about. Rip Hamilton lives for games like this. The Celtics, meanwhile, still seem to be feeling their way for the gear they need to be at to dominate in the postseason. With Rondo so inexperienced, and the oft-quoted concerns about Garnett's clutch abilities, the poise factor is at a 9 tonight. The Celtics haven't been here with this unit, but they are at home. The Pistons know all about these games, but at some point they're just not as pivotal as they used to be. Momentum will decide one this close.