Detroit Takes Game One

The Detroit Pistons play great defense! They are not bad on offense either. Just ask the Miami Heat. Last night Detroit frustrated Miami on their way to a 90-81 victory over the number one seed in the East.

The Pistons played like a team with confidence and the Heat played like a team that was frustrated. Even with Shaq back in the line up the Heat still struggled against a swarming Detroit defense. O’Neal scored 20 points on 9 of 14 shooting and his sidekick Wade struggled from the field scoring just 16 points on 7 of 25 shooting.

The Pistons also seemed to score at will against the Heat. All five of the Pistons starters scored in double figures lead by Rasheed Wallace’s 20 points. At times the Heat looked totally lost and even helpless. This was most noted after Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince made a short bank shot over Miami’s Dwyane Wade. Wade looked over to his team’s bench and looked as if he had no idea of what to do.

The Pistons took more that home court advantage last night. They took all the confidence from the Heat. Coming off of first and second round sweeps the Heat had not been challenged during the post season. Detroit made a team that once looked invincible to appear dazed and confused. The Heat have a long way to go and Van Gundy will have to show his coaching merit in order to win game two, which has become a must win for Miami. If they go to Detroit down 0-2 then they may not come back.


WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS UPDATE

Game two is tonight at 8:00 CST on ESPN. The Spurs lead the series after out running the Suns 121-114 on Sunday night. The Spurs proved that they can run the floor as just as well as the Suns, led by Tony Parker’s 29 points. I was surprised by the high score of the game because you would think a game that high would favor Phoenix.

Suns guard Joe Johnson will not play in game two tonight.