Garnett and Pierce are the 2 best players in this series

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

Garnett and Pierce are the 2 best players in this series. The team with the best player usually wins right? Unless like LeBron he has no help but the C's have plenty of help.

However, those might be the only advantages the Celtics have unless Ray Allen decides to show up (he may not be the main focus of the defense as he was vs. the Cavs whom he destroyed in the regular season) this series he can negate Hamilton, and Rondo improved enough doesn’t get schooled by Billups again, those Pistons back-court advantage could shrink.

Match-ups

Perkins vs. McDyess – Pistons
Garnett vs. Wallace – Celtics
Pierce vs. Prince  – Celtics
Allen vs. Hamilton – Pistons
Rondo vs. Billups – Pistons

Bench

Boston: PJ Brown, Eddie House, James Posey, Sam Cassell, Tony Allen. Powe, Baby
Detroit: Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Arron Afflalo, Jarvis Hayes, Lindsey Hunter and Theo Ratliff

Hopefully Doc doesn’t stop playing Eddie House until the Pistons start full-court pressing and he can’t bring the ball up the court again. He and Posey are the backbone of the C’s bench. Ainge did a great job getting both players for the mid-level. PJB, a nice late minimum pickup, rounds out the big man spot. The Pistons shouldn’t be bailed out by Tony Allen on Chauncey in the final seconds as they did in their only season series win against the C's. I don’t know much about the Detroit bench players but I remember them completely outplaying out bench in the first game of the season series. I hear Ratliff is healthy and still blocking shots. – Even

Coaching: Rivers already took a KG-led team as far as Saunders ever did and at least he didn’t lose a series to the Cleveland LeBron’s. Both coaches are lucky to have Multiple Veteran All-Star lead teams in the latter part of their primes who’s main focus is winning – Even

These teams seem pretty evenly matched. Celtics tried harder during the season, they should be rewarded in a close series. I’m already planning on leaving Sunday, June 1st open for the Celtics Game 7 win against the Pistons. Then it’s ONNNNNNN! BEAT LA!! BEAT LA!!

[PerkinsERA43]

yeah-- I heard on WEEI today someone talking about how the Wallace/Garnett matchup was a push. Not even close. Wallace lets KG get deep on the box (unlike wallace/varejao aka sideshow bob). That decision by Wallace allows KG to take some shots that are actually within 18 feet of the basket. I expect KG to outplay wallace 5 of 7 games. That being said... I think this seres could be an uphill battle unless Ray Allen is able to play well enough to match Hamilton.

By the way, can you believe washington traded away Hamilton in his 3rd year for Jerry Stackhouse in his 8th year?

[Bahku]

'Sheed can shoot lights-out, but is a streak shooter, and is either very hot or very cold ... I think the odds there are in our favor. If we run and attack consistently against Detroit, and don't get lulled into a half-court game, we'll do fine against them. The Pistons can't run and sustain it, or defend against the up-tempo ... that favors us clearly.

[guava_wrench]

I agree on top 2.

Next 3 are Pistons though with Ray still off.

[RebusRankin]

I think Ray will play better against Hamilton than people think.

[Moranis]

By the way, can you believe washington traded away Hamilton in his 3rd year for Jerry Stackhouse in his 8th year?

It was actually worse if you look at the full trade.

Stackhouse, Brian Cardinal, Ratko Varda

for

Hamilton, Bobby Simmons, Hubert Davis

[CelticsWhat35]

The Herald actually had the Pierce-Prince matchup as being even.  Now it's up to Pierce to show how ridiculous that assessment was.

[Mogreen17]

The things i'd do to have paul drop 40 in game one. I need it for his confidence

[MMacOH]

Tayshaun is a hard matchup for Pierce as far as when Pierce is on offense.  The guy has the wingspan of a 7' tall player.  You can't shoot over him, you have to take him to the hole. 

Sheed is a difficult matchup for the C's because he is going to pull KG away from the hoop since you have to respect his range.  That will really opne up the middle for Rip.

This looks like it is going to be a tough series for the Celtics.  Boston could afford some lapses against the Cavs (the Cavs weren't that good of a team just had a great player), they can't afford the same lapses against the Pistons. 

[bleedingreen]

The things i'd do to have paul drop 40 in game one. I need it for his confidence

The things I'd do to have Ray drop 40 in game one. I need it for his and my confidence.

[CelticsWhat35]

Tayshaun is a hard matchup for Pierce as far as when Pierce is on offense.  The guy has the wingspan of a 7' tall player.  You can't shoot over him, you have to take him to the hole. 

Sheed is a difficult matchup for the C's because he is going to pull KG away from the hoop since you have to respect his range.  That will really opne up the middle for Rip.

This looks like it is going to be a tough series for the Celtics.  Boston could afford some lapses against the Cavs (the Cavs weren't that good of a team just had a great player), they can't afford the same lapses against the Pistons. 

These are good points.  If Pierce is going to try to rely on his jump shooting, he'll have a tough time because Prince will have a hand in his face all night.  That's why Pierce needs to be agressive and use his considerable strength advantage to get to the hoop.  Something he coudln't do against LeBron.  And with the way Wallace can force his defender away from the basket, we really don't want KG covering him that much.  He'd be best served on McDyess or Ratliff when they're in so he can do more roaming.  The problem is that Perk can't cover Rasheed outside.  So it's either going to be less minutes for Perk, or more guarding the perimeter for KG.  And if that's the case, Perk needs to be an enforcer down low and control the boards.

[2Xplosive]

I can really see Posey getting a good amount of minutes in this series due to his above average defense and his length. I thought sheed was playing center?

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

I can really see Posey getting a good amount of minutes in this series due to his above average defense and his length. I thought sheed was playing center?

It looks like Sheed is listed as the Center but he was the primary Big guarding Garnett in Game 1 and in prior games.

[Chief]

I can really see Posey getting a good amount of minutes in this series due to his above average defense and his length.

I love the Pierce/Posey lineup. Neither Rip nor Stuckey can guard Pierce at the 2 guard spot.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I can really see Posey getting a good amount of minutes in this series due to his above average defense and his length.

I love the Pierce/Posey lineup. Neither Rip nor Stuckey can guard Pierce at the 2 guard spot.

Too bad Posey hasn't been playing good offense as of late, and Rip killed him the other night. Also, I'm pretty sure that Prince stays with Pierce anyways, no?