Pistons Prove Six Is Still Greater Than ThreeBOSTON -- Somewhere, perhaps back home in Akron, perhaps in the back of a limo with Jay-Z, LeBron James had to be thinking to himself: "I told you so."
Only four days earlier, James exited the 2008 playoffs with some parting words of wisdom for the Boston Celtics, warning them that the Detroit Pistons team they were about to face probably takes more pride in winning on the road than in defending their home court.
In Game 2, the Pistons showed why James may have a future side career in prophesy.
Getting solid if not spectacular all-around efforts from each member of their starting five along with rookie Rodney Stuckey, the Pistons overcame the Celtics on a night when Boston's big three played better together than they had in any of their previous 15 postseason games.
All five Detroit starters, led by Richard Hamilton's 25, reached double figures and contributed to a defensive effort that gave the Pistons a 103-97 victory Thursday night that evened the Eastern Conference semifinals at one game apiece.
"In Game 1, we let one slip away because we didn't play with the intensity we needed," Hamilton said. "Tonight, it was like: 'OK guys, all year long we say we care about each other, so now when we go out there, don't leave anybody hanging.' I thought we did a great job of not leaving anybody hanging, not just on offense but on defense."
Still, it was the offense that came through in the final minute when the Pistons needed to make plays to maintain their comfort zone that was in danger of being squeezed.
With Detroit ahead 96-92, the Pistons got the Celtics to bite on a switch, leaving Hamilton isolated against Kevin Garnett beyond the 3-point line near the home bench. Hamilton's eyes lit up, and his swift feet carried him right past Garnett as he drove toward the free-throw line and tossed up a 12-foot floater that swished through.
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Ryan was at the airport last night giving me updates from the airport bar :) GO STONES!
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