For game 4 how will the pistons change their game??

[Triboy16]

Because i feel unless kg struggles in the inside or there are some kind of unusual team defensive lapses we should in theory beat the pistons the rest of the way

I like two things we did last game that helped us win . 1) Defense - we played a more man to man type of game. We didn't get fooled with the pick and roll, pump fakes and shut down the middle if anyone was trying to penetrate. Our weakside defense was also very good. The pistons problem is that they don't have an inside presence. Shooting and driving is what the celts mainly have to focus on

2) On offense we didn't mess around and passed it to KG at the post often. For kg in the post unless he is being double teamed he should easily be able to score against sheed and or mcdyess. If double teamed however he did a great job passing to players cutting and/or for an easy jump shot

So with 1) and 2) because of no key post guy this is really hurting the pistons play and unless they will keep nailing contested jumpers(or have stuckey dwayne wade it every single time) i have no idea what they could do to have a better chance to beat us.

Great job by our coaching staff mainly tom thibadeau, the assistant coaches , not really doc though

[Who]

Make their wide open shots instead of bricking them.

That'll be their biggest adjustment. That'll be what Flip harps on about. Making shots.

[spelz]

The Pistons are going to look to attack the rim tonight.  In game 3, Boston did a great job denying penetration into the lane.  Detroit settled for too many jumpshots and were cold as ice from outside.  I think they will come out with the intent to drive to the basket.  Hopefully we can stay in front and avoid foul trouble.

[orrzor]

Well I just expect them to play flat out better, not necessarily change their game plan. They might double KG. Billups will likely bounce back as he did in game 2 and I expect a very tight game. Low scoring, lots of energetic defense.

[dksidey]

If I were the Pistons coaching staff, I would throw that zone they put on at the end of Game 3 at us any time Rondo is out of the game. They were giving us fits with the trapping zone and forced a lot of unnecessary turnovers by putting on the pressure. I'm not sure that we have any one other than Rondo who can split the trap singlehandedly and get to the hoop. Hopefully our coaching staff saw the weakness and worked on some plays to defeat the zone defense. A flash cutter to the foul line (e.g., KG) and cutters on either side should result in wide open jumpers or layups, but it would require good execution and some type of organized play.

Also, not sure sure if it was just the 4th quarter let down, but many of the Celtics, with Rondo being a prime offender, started looping passes. These were definitely the type of passes that, if picked, would lead to easy fastbreak points. If I were the Pistons, I would be on the lookout for those to get some easy buckets.

[Vermont Green]

If I were the Pistons, I would try to establish Rasheed Wallace down low early and often, especially when we bring in PJ but against KG too.  If they go to that early, they may be able to take advantage of KG's intensity and get him in foul trouble.  If we sag in to double, they have the shooters to make us pay so we will stay at home on the perimeter and it will be mano y mano.  There is really not all that much more they can do.  Their game is pretty established.  They can't really change things too much in two days.

I think the Celtics showed that they are the ones who can dictate their game.  They are going to continue to defend based on their scheme.  On offense, the big thing they did better in game 3 was ball movement.  Trying to force a high post screen-roll on every posession plays to Detroit's strength.  This is all very obvious but they need to move the ball and they need to keep people moving without the ball.  The more they did this, the more open shots they got.  Scoring was balanced which is a good sign.  If Detroit gets behind, they may try a zone defense.  Not necessary the extended trapping zone but more of a sagging zone to see how we respond.

Also, even though Pierce had what 11 points, I thought it was one of his best games.  He played great individual D (Prince was 2-11 and only 4 rebs) and was like a middle linebacker, making sure everyone else was where they needed to be.  He passed when he needed to pass and shot when he had a shot.  This was an extreme case of the box score for Pierce not telling the whole story.  If Detroit tries to adjust by helping less on Pierce (because of all the points by everyone else), Pierce will adjust and score 30+.  They are probably better off staying tight on Pierce and challenging Rondo, Perk, etc to see if they can hit their shots again.

[FLCeltsFan]

I have no doubt that the Pistons will come out more aggressive on both ends of the court.  The Celtics need to be ready and match their intensity right from the start.  We can't expect them to shoot as poorly as they did in game 3.  A lot of those missed shots were wide open. 

[Thruthelookingglass]

I agree that the 2-2-1 Zone will be employed by the Pistons intermittently, but if I were them I'd go one that one further and apply a 3/4 court press and try to rattle Rondo or at least make him expend some more time bringing the ball up after a made basket.  Throw in a trap or two here and there to at least keep Celts from figuring out a rhythm.

I don't see how the Pistons can come out with less energy than in game 3.  I think it was the "unfortunate timing" of the poor calls against KG and Ray that helped them into their comeback groove in the first quarter of game 3.  Without that it would have been a rout.  That said, the scent of success brought them around to a degree.

Continue to focus on Pierce.  If Ray/Rondo aren't hitting, KG can't do it all by himself.

Take it to the Celtics--foul trouble has had too great an impact on this series and indeed the playoffs.

Best thing is that we can handle all of this.  Our team can be invincible when it wants to be.