2005 NBA Finals Game 3 analysis
In game 3 of the 2005 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons decided to make a series of it. From the opening steal, jam, and three point play by Ben Wallace the Pistons meant business. The Pistons played hard, smart, and together as a team. A lot was on the line last night. The Pistons needed a win and the Spurs wanted the chance at a sweep. The will of the Pistons prevailed 96-79.
The Pistons swept the three games at home last year to win the championship over the Lakers, and they needed a shot in the arm in this year's series against the Spurs. Meanwhile the Spurs are still trying to forget the 2004 NBA Playoffs when they were up 2-0 over the LA Lakers, and lost the next four games to get bounced out of the playoffs. Last night was a night of firsts and worsts. The first win in the series for the Pistons, the first NBA Finals with the first three games decided by 15 or more points, the Spurs worst defensive effort in surrendering 90 points to an opponent for the first time in their 3 trips to the Finals, and Tim Duncan's worst shooting night in the Finals (5-15 from the field).
The Pistons as a team forced 18 turnovers, had 12 steals, 10 blocks, 22 assists, 17 offensive rebounds. Ben Wallace was a major contributor to a lot of those stats with 15 points, 11 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 steals, 5 blocks, and an assist. Once Big Ben got started the rest of the Pistons followed in with 24 from Rip Hamilton, 20 points and 7 assists from Billups, 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists from Tayshaun Prince, and 8 points 7 rebounds from Rasheed Wallace. The great defense of reserve Lindsay Hunter as well as the 12 points off the bench for Antonio McDyess displayed a complete team effort from the Pistons.
The Spurs were kind of lost in the second half. The Spurs scored 10 more points in the second half than they did in the first quarter. The game was so off for them that Duncan got a technical foul. When's the last time you saw that in a box score? Bruce Bowen scored 13 on his 34th birthday last night along with 14 points and 10 rebounds from Tim Duncan, 21 points from Tony Parker, and 7 points and 6 turnovers from Manu Ginobili. The Spurs will regroup and address a few things, and I bet we'll see a better effort from them in game 4.
Overall the series is now back to series status. I expect the Pistons to continue to win at home to take this series to six games. Detroit over San Antonio (4-2).
San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential
Spurs lead 2-1
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 SA 97, DET 76 - Final
3. Tue, Jun 14 DET 96, SA 79 - Final
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5. Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary
Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace
The Pistons swept the three games at home last year to win the championship over the Lakers, and they needed a shot in the arm in this year's series against the Spurs. Meanwhile the Spurs are still trying to forget the 2004 NBA Playoffs when they were up 2-0 over the LA Lakers, and lost the next four games to get bounced out of the playoffs. Last night was a night of firsts and worsts. The first win in the series for the Pistons, the first NBA Finals with the first three games decided by 15 or more points, the Spurs worst defensive effort in surrendering 90 points to an opponent for the first time in their 3 trips to the Finals, and Tim Duncan's worst shooting night in the Finals (5-15 from the field).
The Pistons as a team forced 18 turnovers, had 12 steals, 10 blocks, 22 assists, 17 offensive rebounds. Ben Wallace was a major contributor to a lot of those stats with 15 points, 11 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 steals, 5 blocks, and an assist. Once Big Ben got started the rest of the Pistons followed in with 24 from Rip Hamilton, 20 points and 7 assists from Billups, 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists from Tayshaun Prince, and 8 points 7 rebounds from Rasheed Wallace. The great defense of reserve Lindsay Hunter as well as the 12 points off the bench for Antonio McDyess displayed a complete team effort from the Pistons.
The Spurs were kind of lost in the second half. The Spurs scored 10 more points in the second half than they did in the first quarter. The game was so off for them that Duncan got a technical foul. When's the last time you saw that in a box score? Bruce Bowen scored 13 on his 34th birthday last night along with 14 points and 10 rebounds from Tim Duncan, 21 points from Tony Parker, and 7 points and 6 turnovers from Manu Ginobili. The Spurs will regroup and address a few things, and I bet we'll see a better effort from them in game 4.
Overall the series is now back to series status. I expect the Pistons to continue to win at home to take this series to six games. Detroit over San Antonio (4-2).
San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential
Spurs lead 2-1
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 SA 97, DET 76 - Final
3. Tue, Jun 14 DET 96, SA 79 - Final
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5. Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary
Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace
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