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

Phil Jackson Returns to the L.A. Lakers

It appears that Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers atfer a one season hiatus. Jackson and the Lakers agreed on a three year deal that makes Jackson the highest paid coach in the NBA. Jackson was reportedly seeking $8-$12 million a year on his contract. Reportedly Jackson and the Lakers came to an agreement last week. With Phil Jackson's NBA record tying 9 titles, it is money well spent. During the coaching announcement, Jackson said that his returning to the Lakers was about "forgiveness, and a chance at redemption".

What remains to be seen is how well Kobe Bryant and Jackson get along, as well as how well the triangle offense will run given the Lakers talent. This offseason and the draft are going to be the only way the Lakers will get any better. With their current roster they will not make the playoffs. Stay tuned.......

2005 NBA Finals Game 2 analysis

Game 2 of the 2005 NBA Finals was pretty much the same as game 1. The San Antonio Spurs got out to a quick lead over the Detroit Pistons and won 97-76. The Pistons didn't guard the 3 point line on defense, missed a lot of short shots on offense, and just didn't play good defense all night. The Spurs had four starters (Ginobili 27, Duncan 18, Bowen 15, Parker 12), and their main reserve (Robert Horry 12) score in double figures.

After Tayshaun Prince's 2 quick fouls in the first quarter, the Pistons played less than their best on defense. Without Prince, the Pistons were sagging into the lane too late on defense, and not getting out to the three point line to defend shots. The Pistons stopped passing the ball, they settled for quick shots on offense.

The Spurs were 11-24 (45.8%) on 3pt shots, and 18-38 (47.4%) from the rest of the field for the game. If the Spurs didn't have a wide open three, then they had a wide open layup. After the third quarter, the game was hard to watch. The Spurs lead 79-63, had 21 assists on 27 field goals, and were 9-19 from three. The Spurs had it on cruise control from there.

Rip and Sheed need to contribute more points on offense, like 30-40 points a game between them instead of 25. The Pistons will make changes and you will definitely see a different Detroit Pistons team at home in game 3.

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 2-0
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 SA 97, DET 76 - Final
3. Tue, Jun 14 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
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

2005 NBA Finals Game 1 analysis

Looking over the stats from game one of the 2005 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons have a few adjustments to make to win game 2. First, the Pistons need to get Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton involved on offense. Second, the Pistons need to play better defense, like they did in the first half of game one, against Manu Ginobili. Ginobili only had 4 points in the first half. Finally, the Pistons need to be a better defensive rebounding team to eliminate second chance points.

The Pistons were in the lead to start the second half 37-35. In the third quarter the Pistons were a dismal 6-21 from the field and managed only 14 points. The Spurs were 8-18 from the field for 20 points in the quarter and lead 55-51 to start the fourth quarter. The third quarter showed how much the Pistons just stopped playing their team style of basketball. The Pistons stopped passing the ball, they settled for quick shots on offense and they didn't get back on defense in transition.

Rasheed Wallace didn't get started on offense he was 3-6 from the field for 6 points. He did have 6 blocks in the game on defense along with 8 rebounds. Rip Hamilton was an uncharacteristic 7-21 from the field for 14 points. Rip Hamilton scored under 20 points for only the second time the Pistons 18 playoff games this year. Hamilton and Wallace need to be more like themselves on offense and contribute 30-40 points a game between them instead of 20.

The fourth quarter got away from the Pistons. The Pistons were 7-16 from the field and scored 18 points for the quarter. Meanwhile the Spurs extended their lead. The Spurs were 12-20 from the field for 29 points. The Pistons had contained Ginobili to 11 points through the third. Unfortunately for the Pistons that changed. Ginobili was 6-for-6 from the field and scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Whomever the Pistons have guard Ginobili on defense, they need to be in Ginobili's face at all times, and he needs to get help from good rotations on defense if he gets beat off the dribble by Ginobili.

The last adjustment the Pistons need to make is being a better defensive rebounding team. The Pistons did have 24 defensive rebounds, but they let the Spurs have 15 offensive rebounds. That many offensive rebounds lead to losses. The Spurs out rebounded the Pistons 49-35. The Pistons will make these changes and you will definitely see a different Detroit Pistons team in game 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 1-0
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
3. Tue, Jun 14 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
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