While the Washington Wizards were putting on their best in-your-grill, 80's Bad Boys-era Pistons against MJ impression against Lebron James last week, the modern era Pistons were lacking the intestinal fortitude and dominance they displayed during regular season early in their set with the 76ers. The 76ers stormed out of the gates in the series, winning the initial game in Motown and then taking a 2-1 series lead with a convincing 95-75 victory last Friday in Philly. Perhaps nobody expected the 76ers to take the series, but the energy the Pistons showed, basically none, was unexpected for this veteran team. The 76ers played a balls-to-the-wall, frentic-paced style in their victories and ran circles around the Pistons. That is, until the Pistons decided to play for real and finally disposed of the 76ers on their home court in six.
The Pistons were led by 24 from Rip Hamilton, as well as 20 and 7 assists from Chauncy Billiups in the winning effort, which was never in doubt from the beginning. The Pistons ran the score up early just as they did in game 5, and cruised from there. No Iggy exerting his will whenever and wherever, no Thaddeus Young electrifying and lifting his teammates, no Andre Miller matching and even outplaying Chauncy as he did in the first few games.This was a thorough whipping, one that was expected but came far later than it should have in the minds many. The young 76ers woke the Pistons up, played their pace and, with maybe a little bit of luck, won a couple games. The Pistons finally showed up to win the next 3 games in their style, upping the defensive pressure and forcing turnovers, but more so making the 76ers take contested shots that led to just 34% shooting in the final game.
The Pistons will need to maintain the recent intensity level as they now face the rested Magic, who will probably bring a lot of the same energy and attacking style the 76ers deployed. With as good an inside-outside game as any in the league, the Pistons have their work cut out for them. 20/20 man Dwight Howard is no Samuel Dalembert and can punish inside all day long, while Orlando also has a number of players who can hit from outside.
