NBA Playoff Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Usually, the #1 seed versus an #8 seed is a no-brainer. Generally, it encompasses a team that has dominated their conference and one that has snuck in at the last minute and avoided ping-pong ball hell in the lottery in order to face the conference giant. Well....this year, it's no different in the Eastern Conference.

The Detroit Pistons, led by Richard Hamilton's 19.8 ppg and Rasheed Wallace's 7.8 rpg to go along with Chauncey Billups 7.2 apg, are a very balanced team that really can have anyone step up at a given time to give the edge to Motown's finest. While they may not be the Pistons of the Larry Brown era, they still have the tools, the experience, and the ability to get the job done when they need to.

Orlando is a little different in that they really rely on a few key players, namely Dwight Howard, who leads the magic in scoring (17.7) and rebounds (12.3). Jameer Nelson, the girthy guard from St. Joseph's, leads the team in assists (4.3) and free throw percentage (82.8). The Magic have been so up and down one would think that they would have no chance against the Pistons.

Well--they don't. With Howard being the go-to guy in Orlando going up against 'Sheed and the crew, look for the Pistons to sag down and force the Magic to beat them from the outside, which they won't be able to do because Hedo Turkoglu will be harrassed around the perimeter by Hamilton. The Pistons won the season series 4-0 and I don't believe they'll drop one by the Magic. Perhaps Orlando will play them close at home, but the Pistons are just too strong and too consistent.

Consensus: Business as usual for Detroit...I predict a ho-hum sweep.

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· Hornets making it look easy
· Jazz trying to knock out pesky Rockets
· Mavericks start cleaning house at the top

[ READER COMMENTS ]

NBA Playoff Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.