That seemed too easy!

[EJPLAYA]

I don't know what it was, but I never got a feeling in that game last night that Detroit really was a threat and we were going to have to squeak out a win. I felt that way in the Cleveland series. Detroit just didn't seem to have the same talent level out there tonight other than McDyess. I know this won't last and this will be a tough series, but you would have thought the Pistons would have come out hard last night as they were rested and we were just off a huge game and tired. I hope this is a sign of good things to come. We could use a 5-6 game series if we move on.

[EnP24]

Ej,

I agree with you that that game last night seemed easier than any of our wins in the 2nd round. A big part of that is the absence of Lebron James and his ability to get to the rim at will. The Celts also match up better against the Pistons except at pg and last night Rondo outplayed both Billups and Stuckey making for an "easy" win.

This series will get harder and we've seen the "jeckel and hyde" tendencies of this team on the road and away but the individual matchups in this series work in the favor of the Celts.

[BigAlTheFuture]

I don't expect it to be this easy the rest of the series. Detroit could beat us in game 2 and all the pressure shifts back on us. Although, like you, I didn't feel as worry as I did with the Pistons last night than I were with the Cleveland series. I knew for sure last night that we were going to win as soon as the first quarter ended. In the Cleveland series I always would think that they would make a comeback and end up beating us. I feel much more relaxed watching the Celtics play Detroit.

[Who]

It was easy because Billups didn't play well. Detroit don't have a margin of error available to them, something big goes wrong, then they lose. That simple.

Detroit have no hope of winning a game in this series unless Billups completely dominates the point guard battle. They simply don't have enough firepower elsewhere to keep up with a good Boston effort. They need Billups up around 25 points to have a chance.

It'll be closer when Billups plays better.

Still, the C's have the better side and should win the series. There's a substantial difference between the teams in Boston's favour.

[fugazzi24]

My friends and I have a Theory the the Pistons played a rope a dope game last night and that they will come out harder on Thursday night.  They understand by lulling us to sleep in the first game and then playing hard in the second game one vistory in Boston changes the tide of the entire series.  Tomorrow night's game might be the deciding game of the series I expect a very intense close game and the Celtics needing to make a run late.

[EJPLAYA]

My friends and I have a Theory the the Pistons played a rope a dope game last night and that they will come out harder on Thursday night.  They understand by lulling us to sleep in the first game and then playing hard in the second game one vistory in Boston changes the tide of the entire series.  Tomorrow night's game might be the deciding game of the series I expect a very intense close game and the Celtics needing to make a run late.

I thought about that as well, but if they were going to pull one off which they need to, they would have the best shot at game 1. It just seemed odd. Maybe we just match up well enough against them that our Defense took them out of their game. I hope so! I do think it will be a closer series than game 1 indicated.

[Mr October]

It was easy because Billups didn't play well. Detroit don't have a margin of error available to them, something big goes wrong, then they lose. That simple.

Detroit have no hope of winning a game in this series unless Billups completely dominates the point guard battle. They simply don't have enough firepower elsewhere to keep up with a good Boston effort. They need Billups up around 25 points to have a chance.

It'll be closer when Billups plays better.

Still, the C's have the better side and should win the series. There's a substantial difference between the teams in Boston's favour.

Yup, hitting the nail on the head. Detroit needs Billups to DOMINATE. Before yesterday's game I posted that I wouldn't be surprised if the C's take this series 4-1. I honestly think it'll go 7. But I think Boston has the greater chance than Detroit to close the series quickly.

[RebusRankin]

I wonder if Billups is healthy enough to play better.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I also have to say that a big part of it was that Cleveland played unbelievable defense on the Celtics, to an extent I would have never imagined.  I don't see Detroit pushing us defensively as Cleveland did, though they're a good defensive team in their own right.

Even if this series goes to seven games, I don't see any of the games being as difficult as the ones against Cleveland... because of their defense and because of the pressure a player like LeBron has especially when he's running guys over to get to the rim.

[Mr October]

True. I was very impressed with Cleveland's defense. And None of the Pistons strike the fear in me like Lebron does.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Detroit isn't athletic either. Cleveland and Atlanta gave us a lot of troubles because of their athleticism. They also don't have a guy on their team that we have to worry about double teaming or a superstar that can take over a game like Lebron or Joe Johnson can.

[NoraG1]

C's lose people worry, C's win people worry. How about just enjoy the win.

[fan33]

Yep, Celtics inside leaning & colapsing "D" needed against the Cavs, opening their outside jumpshooters isn't called for with Detroit without a slashing Billups. They're reduced to a jumpshooting team which our tight "D" without fouling and bailing them out just will not produce enough points vs. our inside scoring threats and production,IMO...

Billups is tentitive because a 31 y.o. hammy injury, which looked quite severe doesn't heal as quick as Rondos less sever hammy strain.

I wouldn't doubt if Billups reinjures his if pushed by Rondo, eventually. And this is why Billups minutes will increase only gradually throughout the series. Still, they need a 20+ scorer at his position to win, especially if they can only muster a weaker defensive presence than the Cavs tested our team with. I just don't see them doing so in more than perhaps one game, in Detroit, if the do at all...

Yep, the Caves test has tuned up these Celtics well indeed

[liam]

The Piston's energy is low because they haven't played a good team in the post season. I think Cleveland's defense is better than the Piston's defense. I think the Cavs had better matchups with us. Boston in 5.

[billysan]

Detroit isn't athletic either. Cleveland and Atlanta gave us a lot of troubles because of their athleticism. They also don't have a guy on their team that we have to worry about double teaming or a superstar that can take over a game like Lebron or Joe Johnson can.

I gotta say that Rip Hamilton and Tayshawn Prince are much more athletic and definitely faster that our Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. That said, they are not as talented and Prince was unable to deny Pierce for at least one game.

If the Pistons get Rip Hamilton open and he hits jumpers like he is very capable of doing we are possibly in big trouble. He was not a major part of the offense last nite IMO but that will change.

You are right about the double teaming but matchups are still very important. Ray Allen having continued 'bad shooting' combined with a Pierce or Garnett 'off-nite" would be tough on us.

My hope is that we hang tough on D and continue to attack them offensively. Doc nailed it when he said we need to push the pace. I looked at old game video and we are definitely more effective when we dont walk the ball up the court.