ECF Thread: Heat vs Pistons [Heat win series, 4-2]

[Ruff Ryder]

Here we go again, a rematch of last years Eastern Conference Finals. This will be one of the better series that we'll see.

I'm going with Miami in this one. I think it will be an extended series and Detroit's fatigue will catch up with them in the end.

Tip-Off of game one is May 23, 8 PM EST.

[xfobu1ousx]

I think it will be exciting but not as much as cavs vs detroit matchup. lol hopefully miami can come up on top because detroit's plays are too damn slow to watch..

[Its_asdf]

I don't want Miami to win. Although they've got some really good players, I don't really like the way they play. They've always struggled against the elite teams during the regular season and that shows you something.

[Axel]

I don't want Miami to win. Although they've got some really good players, I don't really like the way they play. They've always struggled against the elite teams during the regular season and that shows you something.

That's what everyone said when they played the Nets, and they handled them easily.

The most difficult part of the Heat's schedule was early in the year when Shaq was out. The record against elite teams is skewed in that regard.

[BIG GREEN]

I say Miami in 7. The cavs accomplished 3 goals in their series with detroit....they gained respect from the basketball world, they gained confidence in their team and they showed that the pistons aren't invincible. This year the chemistry and talent on miami will be too much for a charity reserve all-star team like the piss-tons. It will be a hard fought battle for miami..but they will edge them out.

[dan_suth]

lol @ charity reserve all-star team

Pistons in 6 or less. Go ahead, tell me I'm biased, blah blah... but I truly believe the Pistons can handle Miami. I picked them over Cleveland in 6-7, so obviously I'm not too biased. Anyway, Detroit played very well against Miami in all 4 games during the regular season - the only game Miami won was because of Wade's heroics, something like a 17 point 4th quarter to overcome a double digit lead. And that was only a 2 point victory for the Heat. I'm expecting Wade and Shaq to each average 25 in this series, but the rest of the role players (especially Walker) on Miami won't be as effective as they have been against New Jersey and Chicago. Wade's heroics will win Miami at least one game by himself, and I half-expect Detroit to get completely blown out by losing their focus in one game... so I guess I'll say Detroit in 6. I won't be surprised to see Miami go down in 5 though.. depends on how the first 2 games in Auburn Hills go.

If Miami does end up winning this series, they won't win in 7... Detroit is FAR too good of a basketball team in game 7's and pressure situations with their backs against the wall. Plus, game 7 is at home for the Pistons... there's no way they lose game 7 if it gets that far.

[3P]

Heat in 7 games

[jerry]

wow pistons in 6 or less just like dan says...pistons all the way!!!!
(i made a bet with my friend saying that either spurs or pistons will win finals and he said either heat or suns will win, so i want pistons and spurs to win!)

but first pistons have to beat cavs...although since we are already talking about miami vs. pistons i guess we all kno who will be in the eastern conference finals...but man rasheed can talk some big words...

[Donatello]

The only reason I'm glad the Pistons beat the Cavaliers is that the Pistons can hopefully stop Shaq/Wade from getting to the finals. I just don't like Wade.

[Sauru]

i guess there is really 2 ways to look at the pistons and cavs series. either 1. you think they got exposed and are not the threat everyone thought they were or 2. the cavs woke a sleeping giant. i am leaning more towards 1 myself. now i dont think they were ever a fluke team or anything but i also dont think they are the be all end all best team ever like some people seem to think. i am gonna have to take miami in this series but it wont go any less than 6, infact i am banking on 7.

[maes]

I think fatigue is really going to effect this next series.

Miami is the last team you want all rested up because they're filled with former All-Star caliber veterans who are capable of taking over if they have the energy & motivation.

I'm guessing a long series but why even bother trying to make a prediction...this playoffs has surprised me at every turn.

[Indy]

Pistons in 6.

[Fitzy]

im gonna say pistons in 7

[MVP]

I would like the Pistons to win. They got some big men on the roster that they can throw at Shaq: B. Wallace, Kelvin Kato, and Dale Davis, McDyess.

I think it will take 7 games though.

[dinocarlo]

Anyway, Detroit played very well against Miami in all 4 games during the regular season

Those four games were very close. Everything was (almost) decided by single digits. Well, the 4th game was decided by 13 but it was technically close in the 1st 3 qtrs.

Anyway, each team's bench will play a crucial role. When the Pistons lost to the Cavs in games 3-5, the Cavs bench dominated the Pistons'.

[dada]

I dont believe fatigue will affect the Pistons, that would more apply to the Suns who play that run and gun style. I'm more worried about Miami having all that time off and the possibility of guys like Payton and Walker throwing up bricks because theyre out of their flow. We all knew the Nets had nothing inside to stop either Shaq or Wade so I dont give them too much credit for beating them. Miami has all the pressure on them really, they have an aging Shaq who wants a ring, a team that was supposedly assembled for a Championship, and a coach who short-changed Stan Van Gundy and hasnt done anything special thats worthy of merit with that team.

I'll go Pistons in 6. Not an easy series.

[Unrestrict3D]

Miami in six games. Look for Dwyane Wade to have a huge series.

[Scotty]

mmm should be a good series although i was realy hoping it would be the cavs facing the Heat. anyway Detroit in 6 maybe 7 if Miami push

[Andrew]

I'll go with Miami in 7, though that's probably more wishful thinking than anything else. I do think there's a good chance of it happening though but the Heat have to jump on the Pistons early and try to capitalise on the rest vs fatigue advantage rather than falling victim to rust vs momentum.

[YoG!]

Detroit will win it in 6.

[dinocarlo]

I'm going to be detailed about this one.

POINT GUARD: Billups vs. Williams

Williams is a great player but Chauncey is a former Finals MVP and an MVP candidate in the regular season. If the Heat still can't defend the perimeter, he should take over.

advantage-Pistons

SHOOTING GUARD: Wade vs. Rip

Wade can dominate the game with his assists, penetrations, and even jumpshots. He's not much of a threat, though, if he doesn't have the ball. Rip is a great scorer. He has great off-ball movement too. Still, Wade is a superstar and he's gonna have the ball 99% of the time.

advantage-Heat

SMALL FORWARD: Walker vs. Prince

Antoine will have a hard time on both ends of the court against Tayshaun. Prince will look to defend not just Walker but also Wade.

advantage-Pistons

POWER FORWARD: Haslem vs. R. Wallace

Will Sheed show off his mouth or his game? Haslem's defense is critical here. Also, Sheed should focus on posting up instead of outside shooting. I'll stick with Sheed for now.

advantage-Pistons

CENTER: Shaq vs. B. Wallace

Shaq's presence can change the game for the Heat. The Heat would love to see Big Ben taking those shots. Wallace is still going to be a threat defensively, though.

advantage-Heat

BENCH

The benches are my X-Factors here. I think the Pistons should avoid depending too much on their starting five. Same goes for the Heat. Other than Hunter and McDyess, the others won't probably give the Heat much problems.

advantage-Heat

COACHING

Pat Riley has been to pressure situation many, many times. Flip Saunders is another great coach with lots of playoff experience in Minnesota. I'll give this to Riley for now because the Heat's chemistry looked terrific in their last seven games (6-1 record). The Pistons on the other hand, aren't looking like the 64-18 club they were in the season.

advantage-Heat

INTANGIBLES

The Heat have been resting for a week. The Pistons suddenly looked lost since getting outplayed by Cleveland in the 4th quarter of Game 2. But there's still pressure on the Heat because when that team was supposed to be built for a championship.

advantage-even

OFFENSE

Overall, both teams have terrific offense. Wade and Shaq are there for the Heat. The Pistons improved offensively this season.

advantage-even

DEFENSE

Overall, Pistons have the edge defensively. Look at Game 7. The tempo favored the Cavs, right? What more can I say?

advantage-Pistons

OVERALL RATING

The Pistons are the favorites here. They will look to use their speed and quickness advantage to make the tempo in their favor on both ends of the court. This series should be close. But I'm a Heat fan so I'm still hoping for a Heat win. A lot of surprises have happened in the playoffs so expect more in the conf. finals. Pistons have the advantage, but only slightly.

advantage-Pistons

KEYS TO THE SERIES

I. Both teams

• Rebounding
• Lessen TO's while forcing the other team to commit TO's
• Race to 90 points
• Bench production/support for star players

II. Pistons

1. Lessen Wade's chance of touching the ball
2. Put Shaq to foul trouble
3. Faster tempo

III. Heat (basically the opposite of the Pistons')

1. Wade should control the game with his penetrations, jumpshots, and assists
2. Shaq should stay out of foul trouble
3. PERIMETER DEFENSE!!!

[Moop_Moop]

If the Pistons can stop Shaq, I don't think Wade will be much of a problem. I say Pistons in 6.

[Ruff Ryder]

SHOOTING GUARD: Wade vs. Rip

Wade is a superstar. He's not much of a threat, though, if he doesn't have the ball. Rip is a great scorer. He has great off-ball movement too.

advantage-even
[/list]

I wouldn't call that even. Sure, Wade isn't much of a threat when he doesn't have the ball, but think realistically. Wade almost always has the ball. He'll get it, no doubt about it. He's also a better scorer than Rip, and if he's not hitting the J he'll go to the basket and throw his body around and get to the line.

I think Sheed's attitude deter,omes where this series goes. Sheed vs. Haslem.

[maes]

dinocarlo:
- If Wade is a superstar, how is the advantage even?

- I agree w/ the eval of Billups...but at the same time during the Cavs series he managed to score 20 point only once...in game 2. Other than that it's been 12-15 per game...guarded by Snow & Murray? And it won't be just Williams...it will be Williams & Payton on him. Payton is old & clinically insane, he's shown he can play like his old self if pissed off.

As scary as this sounds to Miami fans, it looks like Walker is the x-factor. In the NJN series, outside of Game 2, Miami won every game where Walker played unusually well. In that series Walker has the most # of cashed 3 pointers, almost double what the next guys have.

[Sauru]

walker has always been a sort of x-factor. i remember watching him and you could tell right away, he was either going to kill you and make you win. saw it far too many times in boston. the guy just has no off button, but when he is on, your team is gonna win