Tuesday, June 15, 2004
washingtonpost.com
NBA Preview
Los Angeles Lakers @ Detroit Pistons Preview
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons can win
their first championship in more than a decade on Tuesday when
they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the NBA Finals
at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Pistons have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the series after
winning Games Three and Four, bringing them to the brink of
their first title since 1990 - the second of back-to-back
championships.
Detroit moved within one win of the Eastern Conference's first
title since 1998 with an 88-80 victory in Game Four on Sunday.
Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Chauncey
Billups scored 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting for the Pistons,
who dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 32 points.
Shaquille O'Neal collected 36 points and 20 rebounds and Kobe
Bryant scored 20 points.
MEANINGFUL MATCHUP:
G Kobe Bryant vs. G Richard Hamilton. Bryant has struggled to
make shots in Detroit, scoring only 31 points on 12-of-38
shooting in Games Three and Four. Hamilton has been more
consistent as the Pistons have seized control of the series,
making 16-of-33 shots on his home floor.
WHO'S HOT:
Lakers: The Lakers' struggles in the series cannot be attributed
to Shaquille O'Neal, who has been a dominant force against the
Pistons. He has collected 113 points on 40-of-71 shooting and 46
rebounds.
Pistons: After an inconsistent performance in the Eastern
Conference finals, Chauncey Billups has been the biggest key to
success for the Pistons in the championship round. He has
averaged 22.8 points in the first four games of the series,
making 26-of-52 shots.
WHO'S NOT:
Lakers: G Gary Payton has been practically non-existent in the
series, scoring only 19 points on 8-of-25 shooting. He has not
helped spread the ball around either, handing out just 18
assists.
Pistons: F Tayshaun Prince has not found the range on offense,
averaging 8.3 points per game. However, Prince's defense on
Bryant makes this acceptable. Los Angeles might give Prince
more room in Game Five and the slender forward may have to step
up his offense.
STREAKS: Los Angeles has lost its last four postseason road
games.
SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: The teams split their two
regular-season meetings. The Lakers defeated the Pistons in
seven games in the 1988 NBA Finals before Detroit swept Los
Angeles the next season for the Pistons' first of two straight
championships.
INJURIES:
Lakers: F Karl Malone is questionable with a sprained right MCL.
Pistons: None.
NBA Preview
Los Angeles Lakers @ Detroit Pistons Preview
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons can win
their first championship in more than a decade on Tuesday when
they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the NBA Finals
at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Pistons have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the series after
winning Games Three and Four, bringing them to the brink of
their first title since 1990 - the second of back-to-back
championships.
Detroit moved within one win of the Eastern Conference's first
title since 1998 with an 88-80 victory in Game Four on Sunday.
Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Chauncey
Billups scored 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting for the Pistons,
who dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 32 points.
Shaquille O'Neal collected 36 points and 20 rebounds and Kobe
Bryant scored 20 points.
MEANINGFUL MATCHUP:
G Kobe Bryant vs. G Richard Hamilton. Bryant has struggled to
make shots in Detroit, scoring only 31 points on 12-of-38
shooting in Games Three and Four. Hamilton has been more
consistent as the Pistons have seized control of the series,
making 16-of-33 shots on his home floor.
WHO'S HOT:
Lakers: The Lakers' struggles in the series cannot be attributed
to Shaquille O'Neal, who has been a dominant force against the
Pistons. He has collected 113 points on 40-of-71 shooting and 46
rebounds.
Pistons: After an inconsistent performance in the Eastern
Conference finals, Chauncey Billups has been the biggest key to
success for the Pistons in the championship round. He has
averaged 22.8 points in the first four games of the series,
making 26-of-52 shots.
WHO'S NOT:
Lakers: G Gary Payton has been practically non-existent in the
series, scoring only 19 points on 8-of-25 shooting. He has not
helped spread the ball around either, handing out just 18
assists.
Pistons: F Tayshaun Prince has not found the range on offense,
averaging 8.3 points per game. However, Prince's defense on
Bryant makes this acceptable. Los Angeles might give Prince
more room in Game Five and the slender forward may have to step
up his offense.
STREAKS: Los Angeles has lost its last four postseason road
games.
SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: The teams split their two
regular-season meetings. The Lakers defeated the Pistons in
seven games in the 1988 NBA Finals before Detroit swept Los
Angeles the next season for the Pistons' first of two straight
championships.
INJURIES:
Lakers: F Karl Malone is questionable with a sprained right MCL.
Pistons: None.
