The Pistons are against the cliff, now. They're at home, but they no longer have the luxury of any more "off games." The switch has to be "on' from here on out. And with the Celtics smelling the Finals, pushing this back to Boston will be difficult. But if anybody has the experience to kick this brutal series back to seven, it's the Pistons. In another of our continuing series, here's our look at 5 things to keep an eye out for tonight in Pistons-Celtics, Game 6.
1. Pierced Lung: Paul Pierce provides the oxygen for this Celtics squad. When his stroke is in rhythm, it's all over but the shouting. In order for Boston to end this thing, Pierce has to get more into a scoring role and concentrate less on other areas. The Celtics can live with Tayshaun Prince going a little nova if they can counter with Pierce, a la Game 7 from the Cavaliers series. What can't happen for the Celts, and what the Pistons need is ...
2. You Don't Know Rip: Rip Hamilton and his offensive versatility is on display late in May. Again. And the Pistons' season hinges on his ability to carry them. Again. And he still won't get enough of the credit. Unfortunately, Rip's got an elbow issue and won't be close to 100%. With the elbow injury, Hamilton's post game is going to be limited with how much he uses his elbows to create space. The Pistons' season hangs on Hamilton and his elbow tonight.
3. Legacy: Kevin Garnett has a lot riding on this series. While being lauded as one of the best players to ever play the game, there are also whispers about his clutch ability down the stretch. He's slowly been coming up bigger and bigger in key situations, and exploded in Game 5 with 33 points. But with a close game likely tonight, Garnett has to a step beyond. He needs to attack the basket aggressively in the fourth, and rely on moves other than baseline fadeaways to provide scoring.
4. In Deep Sheed: So, Rasheed Wallace? Not so good with that whole, "controlling your emotions" business. The real problem with Sheed's post-Game 5 outburst was the fact that it can only hurt, not help. It's not like the officials are all of a sudden going to give him a break due to his outburst. It's only going to call more attention to the issue. They are in the Palace, though, so that might help. Then again, that's what the Spurs thought.
5. Who Needs A Bench?: The Boston bench contributed three points in Game 5. Yeah. Three. But it seems that Doc Rivers has finally figured out that he's not obligated to do anything but let the Big 3 do their thing. And with 33 combined points from those dudes, who cares about the 21 combined off the bench for the Pistons? Most alarming for the Pistons was that their army of power forwards combined for only 12 points. That's not going to get it down against a forward-loaded Celtics team, at home or no. It's put up or shut up time for Antonio McDyess, Maxiell, Ratliff, and Amir Johnson.
