There are plenty of witty introductions that would be good places to start the recap of tonight's 79-76 win by the Detroit Pistons over the Cleveland Cavaliers to grab a 2-0 series lead. And no, there's no typo. This was another 79-76 win, although its closing moments played out in similar fashion. But I know full well that I can't start with anything but the last possession for Cleveland.
Cleveland inbounded with essentially a 24-second shot clock's worth of time left in the game, down by two. This time though, LeBron James took the shot despite being closely guarded by Detroit's Richard Hamilton. There was contact, and had the exchange been with 10 minutes left in the third quarter of a February regular season game, a whistle would have likely sounded. With that little time left in a playoff game, most officials try to let the players do the playing. And while Cleveland fans have to be upset that James didn't get the call that superstars are supposed to get there, the zebras had allowed the physicality all game, particularly in the second half. Perhaps it wasn't living by the letter of the law as concerns what is and is not a foul, but it was consistent with what had been called so far in the game. That's better than what NBA fans usually get from officials, so I'm putting that little squabble to bed right now.
If Cleveland wants to blame someone for their loss, they should blame the team that let a 12-point lead evaporate throughout the third quarter. They should blame the team that scored only 4 points for the first 9 minutes of that same third quarter. They should blame Drew Gooden (a single rebound all game), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1-of-6 from the floor), and especially Larry Hughes (2-of-9 from the floor and a willingness to settle for jumpers) for their poor performances. Fans and analysts alike were fairly likeminded at the series' beginning about how James would probably get his, and that Detroit was going to try and force other players to beat them. Detroit has, and the other players have not responded as appropriate in the same game. The only other Cleveland starter to play respectably tonight was Sasha Pavlovic, who shot the ball well (7-of10 for 14) and at least gave LeBron more room to work offensively.
It was mostly in the third quarter where Cleveland looked like a team caught in the headlights. The Pistons played textbook Detroit basketball, accumulating only two turnovers the entire period while chipping away at Cleveland’s 50-38 halftime lead. Billups made seemingly every shot he took, and Rasheed Wallace showed signs of playing like a man possessed.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Two victories on their home court are a possibility, and if that happens, this series could still go an entertaining six or seven games.
Which is what happened last year.
2 - Jared Wright
Yep. When I first started looking at this matchup, I said to myself, "Wow, this could really play out exactly like it did last year." And I think it might still. It's not like Cleveland's gotten killed by Detroit. Just outplayed by them late in both games.
3 - RJ
Pistons in 5. It's a done deal. Lebron is King of nothing but billboards and fantasies of the future.
4 - Jared Wright
As long as Detroit's focus doesn't waver, I think that's probably a good pick at this point. Still, if Larry Hughes can put it in the hoop, I think it does wonders for Cleveland. Defensively they've done very well; they just haven't created enough offense to capitalize on it.
I think it's a bit premature to consider LeBron a long term failure. He is only 22 after all. Jordan was like 26 or 27 when he finally broke through, and Byrd was like 25. Give him some more time and a decent sidekick, James really can be that good. I really think Cleveland should take a shot at getting one of the good young PG's in this upcoming draft. If Connlly Jr. or Law IV is there to run the offense and let LeBron really be a forward, I think Cleveland becomes pretty tough. i don't know if they could logistically get into the top ten of the draft, which is probably where they'd need to be to get one of those two. But really, James is a one man show right now in Cleveland. he has taken the team further every year despite that. I just think people are expecting so much of him that it's a lose/lose from his vantage point.
Oh well. I'm using all my material that could be another article. ;)
5 - RJ
"Pistons in 5. It's a done deal. Lebron is King of nothing but billboards and fantasies of the future."
Yes, I'm an idiot.
But still...
Spurs in 4. :-/
6 - Jared Wright
Based on the way game one's going, you just might be right. I think Cleveland will take one of the games at the Q though.