http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/3a/fullj.709a2bfb72474999f122af491de94ee9/709a2bfb72474999f122af491de94ee9-getty-80372920gs008_philadelphia_.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/teams/20080123/80x60/det.gif -VS- http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/teams/20080123/80x60/orl.gif

Detroit
(59-23) (34-7 home/ 25-16 road)

Orlando
(52-30) (25-16 home/ 27-14 road)

Regular Season Series: Tied 2 - 2
Nov 2: Detroit 116, at Orlando 92
Jan 21: at Orlando 102, Detroit 100
Jan 25: at Detroit 101, Orlando 93
Feb 19: Orlando 103, at Detroit 85


Series Schedule
Series tied 0-0
1. Sat, May 3 – at Detroit, 7:30 pm EDT (TNT)
2. Mon, May 5 – at Det, 7:00 pm EDT (TNT)
3. Wed, May 7 – at Orl, 8:00 pm EDT (TNT)
4. Sat, May 10 – at Orl
*5. Tue, May 13 – at Det (TNT)
*6. Thu, May 15 – at Orl (ESPN)
*7. Sun, May 18 – at Det


Probable Starters:
Detroit
http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3174.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=M_yirNn7gfJR9s1yeBvwVQ--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3330.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=g.Q7dH.H30K392royr_y8w--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3621.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=U42cI4MK4olqGuoIvT40Gg--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3952.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=0gXbSZMzxDPnP25mRnyXmw--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3006.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=VLr22dCQSCw_x6eJwGQ8IA--

Orlando
http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3837.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=U.yjcoLkqEEJml_HDG18EQ--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3568.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=ZNrRLl9wjhD.zY9y7Iimmw--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3415.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=lZu50LvU1YOe_Cb9KUziIQ--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3275.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=AEIP7aMYps0JQlIrFR4dog--http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/nba/players_l/20080319/3818.jpg?x=65&y=85&xc=1&yc=1&wc=164&hc=215&q=100&sig=oZNd3_.D3j_e5b1B6qZSRg--

Team Leaders:
Detroit
Scoring: Richard Hamilton 17.3
Rebounds: Antonio McDyess 8.5
Assists: Chauncey Billups 6.8
FG%: Richard Hamilton 48.5
FT%: Chauncey Billups 91.8
3PT%: Richard Hamilton 44.0
Blocks: Rasheed Wallace 1.7
Steals: Chauncey Billups 1.3

Orlando
Scoring: Dwight Howard 20.7
Rebounds: Dwight Howard 14.2
Assists: Hedo Turkoglu 5.0
FG%: Dwight Howard 59.9
FT%: Keyon Dooling 84.5
3PT%: Jameer Nelson 41.6
Blocks: Dwight Howard 2.2
Steals: Rashard Lewis 1.2

The Pistons right now are in a perfect groove to come out and kick ass. I wish we were playing Boston, and not Orlando.

I predict Rashard Lewis will not have the series Chuck expects.
Because the Road Warrior is starting games.
Keeping Lewis strictly a jumpshooter.

And worse case scenario.... put Amir out there. Move Tay to the 4 and put A^2 on Turk (things Flip Saunders wouldn't dare do for 500 Alex)

If we lose this series, it WILL be because Orlando is exploiting weaknesses that could easily be corrected with our depth.

PS, I hope we Hack a Howard again this year. Our Guard mactchups are still total humid bayou rape.

I predict that Orlando wins every game where they shoot 50% from the three.

Our Guard mactchups are still total humid bayou rape.
Yeah! And our forward matchups are purple monkey dishwasher!

Wait, what?

01:57 AM might explain that

No poll, I see, but I'm sticking with my original prediction. Pistons in 4.

Laugh if you must.

Pistons in 6. 6 is factoring in the Pistons taking 'don't give a shit' pills before 2 games.

It wouldn't shock me if we swept these guys. I think matchup wise we are a nightmare for ORL, but given the Pistons playoff history, I wouldn't be surprised if we drop a game or two at the very worst.

Orlando could have one of those games where everything falls, and theres really nothing we can do about it.


All in all, this series should go smoother than the Philly one.

Jameer Nelson on Chauncey? Keith Bogans/Mo Evans on Rip?? Brian Cook off the bench? Please. Pistons in five.

Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic in 6 games.

Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic in 6 games.
They could finish them off in 4, but they're just not professional enough to get it done.

My bracket is already fucked.

I'm semi-hard waiting for the semi-finals.

And, the game is on TNT.

:kennythejet:

We will go Haierrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I wonder if FSN filed a six week extension for April in the D.

Pistons in 5.

Lets GET IT ON!

I was worried about Rip being a lil cold after that last performance. Missed the first one then a bunny. We'll need to get him off at some point.

MM and Howard mixing it up. Looks like OMag are making sure we know they aren't going to be physically intimidated.

Rip with a nice deuce and MM with a block on Howard.

damnit sheed! 3 more techs and he gets suspended for a game!

if we go deep in the playoffs, this is going to kill us. i have a hard time seeing him go another couple of playoff series without getting at least 3 techs. it's going to cost us, bigtime.

Hedo is cancelling out Tay.

damnit sheed! 3 more techs and he gets suspended for a game!

if we go deep in the playoffs, this is going to kill us. i have a hard time seeing him go another couple of playoff series without getting at least 3 techs. it's going to cost us, bigtime.

Yeah that sucks. Is it like in the regular season where every other tech gets a suspension or is it just every seventh?

lemme tell ya, that was a good foul by MM on Howard. Howard kind of elbowed MM in the nutz to get some room, MM fouled him hard back. Howard missed both FTs.

I think we were up 3 at the time. We're now up 15.

man they are brutal at the line...how the fuck did they win 50 games

Jarvis should just clear out his locker now, it will give him a few extra minutes of leisure time in June.

also, lol at Mike Fratello saying Rashard Lewis was worth his 119 million dollar contract

If I'm going to pay an injury prone guy more than 100 mill, he better be getting me 30/10/5, Shard isn't even close.

Otis Smith put that team in cap hell. Good luck re-signing Turk after next year...

gotta love Maxiel

Mad Max still gettin down.

I think he's under Howards skin too.

Scrappy mother fucker, Jason is.

Children of the corn turning to Your Babies taste like corn?

Herman getin some time.

Stuckey
Rip
Herman
Max
Theo
on the floor. Looks like a Sunday lineup by Leyland.

^ and that lineup is backing the OMag down.

We're up 20 and I dont' feel like we shook these guys.

The OMag won't quit.

Stuckey's gettin it done too. Love this guys game.

Theo in a series that fits him now. Also credit to Flip for being Ballsy enough to leap frog Jarvis and Hunter for Walter. One thing Hermann does that Hayes doesnt, is move without the basketball and make his decisions faster.

Also a credit to Flip for trusting his bench a lil' more. I think his coaching was fairly solid so far.

Stuckey's gettin it done too. Love this guys game.
Dooling does give him fits because he's fast too. But off a screen he can't keep up.

Hayes gets in and takes a really dumb 3.

Smart 3(catch and shoot), but his attitude is probably fucking his focus. Kinda goes hand in hand.

we're playing like crap. we should be up at least by 24 points by now. oh wait, we are! lol

this is the type of pistons' ball i expect to see. if we can play like this for another 5 weeks, we'll be polishing another trophy soon.

but we've got a LONG road ahead to even have a chance at that. but i'm HOPING that we 'get it' now and we will see much more of this team and not the one we saw early in the philly series.

bench is what really extended this lead tonight- j-max, stuckey, even RATLIFF FCOL have been huge. great game by everyone all around....

i believe his 7th gets a 1 game suspension. then every 2nd one after that is another game......i THINK.


Yeah that sucks. Is it like in the regular season where every other tech gets a suspension or is it just every seventh?

Good start. Gotta win game 2. Losing home games is not an option against the magic(who will play alot better at home).

Also I stress alot of credit to Flip for going with the different bigger rotation to counter the awkward placement of matchups on orlando's side(several guys playing several positions).

Also I expect mo evans to lose his starting job by game 3.


Lastly SVG lost his poker face throwing Redick in there. A guy he didnt play most of the year. Scratching for a way to match our depth. One of the advantages of playing a deep bench.

Flip Saunders send a rather graphic message in that game.

Fantastic strategy to open things up, and even better rotations.

Great win. Now do it again on Sunday. Orlando can't hang.

The best part about this game, Dwight Howard was neutralized before he got hurt.

Second best part? He got hurt. I hope his hand rots off.
(Just kidding, sort of)

make that monday. series resumes monday night.


Great win. Now do it again on Sunday. Orlando can't hang.

The best part about this game, Dwight Howard was neutralized before he got hurt.

Second best part? He got hurt. I hope his hand rots off.
(Just kidding, sort of)

By whom? Just wonderin who you thought did that.

I thought Mad Max played him great tonight, but there were times when I saw that old Detroit team defense too. We held them to 72 tonight. That ain't bad.

What did the OMag score vs Toronto? I can't remember.

One last thing. The Pistons played like they know they are in series from the start.

I'm hoping for no 'don't give a shit' games in this series. So far, so good.

Bruise thumb for Howard. will play for sure.

Pistons in 5. In case I didn't say it before game 1.

By whom? Just wonderin who you thought did that.

I thought Mad Max played him great tonight, but there were times when I saw that old Detroit team defense too. We held them to 72 tonight. That ain't bad.

Everyone. Team effort, I never felt like I should be afraid of Dwight Howard at any point in the game. And damn was Detroit focused, I'd like to once again thank the Atlanta Hawks for slapping the invincibility out of Bostons.

So begins the talk in hopes of getting a mental edge maybe? Probably saying too much on Theo's part.


Bad blood exists between Magic, Pistons after Game 1

Associated Press

Updated: May 4, 2008, 5:56 PM ET

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit-Orlando series is not as intriguing as the other three matchups in the NBA playoffs.

The Pistons and Magic are trying to change that.

A day after Detroit beat Orlando 91-72 in Game 1 of their second-round series, players on both teams took verbal swipes at each other.

Magic forward Rashard Lewis took down Theo Ratliff with a physical foul midway through the fourth quarter, and Jason Maxiell quickly got in Lewis' face with a menacing look and choice words.

Ratliff said Maxiell didn't need the assistance.

"There's no sense in guys coming to my rescue," Ratliff said Sunday. "I mean, that was Rashard Lewis. He's a 3 man."

What Ratliff said was relayed to Lewis and the small forward fired back.

"You can have a lot of energy in five minutes a game," Lewis said. "What's he played? 15 games? Tell him to come out and guard me."

Detroit signed the 6-foot-10 Ratliff in March after the center reached a buyout agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he played in 16 games for the team that drafted him in 1995.

Ratliff was one of four players the Pistons successfully sent at Dwight Howard, slowing him down after his performances in the first round drew comparisons to famed NBA players.

In the first quarter against Detroit, Howard had six points, five rebounds and three blocks. The rest of the game, he scored just six points, grabbed three rebounds and didn't swat a shot.

Howard's 12 points were the fewest he scored during this postseason and his eight rebounds marked a career low in 10 playoff games.

His lackluster game led to Orlando scoring a season-worst 72 points, 13 fewer than its previous low.

He averaged 22.6 points, 18.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks against Toronto -- helping Orlando advance in the playoffs for the first time since 1996 -- to rival what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone produced in those categories during the playoffs in the 1970s.

Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in three games against the Raptors, becoming the first player to pull off the feat in the postseason since Wilt Chamberlain did in 1972.

Pistons coach Flip Saunders started with Jason Maxiell guarding Howard before sending Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Ratliff at him.

"Dwight is an imposing player, but we've played against some of the Hall of Famers so it's not really something we worry about," Ratliff said.

Maxiell explained matter-of-factly how Detroit made the 6-11, 265-pound Howard look ordinary.

"He's has a very strong upper body," Maxiell said. "But if you get down low and take his legs out, he's not that powerful."

Howard bristled at the suggestion that his lower body is weak.

"That's not true," Howard said. "Trust me."

Howard also needs help from the perimeter. The Magic set an NBA record by making at least five 3-pointers in every game, led the league by making nearly 10 3s a game and attempted 25 shots from beyond the arc to trail only Golden State.

Orlando was 2-of-15 on 3-pointers in the series opener against Detroit.

"They're a finesse team," Ratliff said. "They're a 3-point shooting team."

Like Howard, Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson took exception with Ratliff's assessment.

"Who? Who?" Nelson asked mockingly when Ratliff's comments were repeated by reporters. "I'm getting sick and tired of people calling us soft."

Nelson might also grow tired of hearing some say he and his teammates can't guard Chauncey Billups or Richard Hamilton.

Billups scored a game-high 19 points Saturday night, even though he rested during the lopsided fourth quarter, and Hamilton had 17 points to outscore Orlando's starting backcourt by 25.

Almost at will, Billups blew past Nelson off the dribble and Hamilton curled around screens to get open for mid-range jumpers against Maurice Evans.

"Chauncey drove the ball and he's a very strong guy so if he gets an angle and drops that shoulder, good luck getting in front of him," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Rip around screens is the best in the league. Since Reggie Miller retired, he's the best catch-and-shoot player coming off screens in the NBA."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3381184

SVG maybe trying to get the refs attention with the shoulder comment. Maybe not.
But Theo is talking too much.

I don't think dropping the shoulder after getting an angle is even close to a foul, that's just getting the guy on your back when you are trying to move forward... so I don't think SVG was trying to gain an advantage with the refs. Theo needs to quiet down though. His comment about Lewis being a 3, fine, that's between the two of them and he was fouled pretty hard. Everything after that was not needed though.

On another note... I've seen the replay of Howard 'hurting his hand' at least 10 times now and I have yet to see any contact made with his hand. Making excuses for his piss performance?

So begins the talk in hopes of getting a mental edge maybe? Probably saying too much on Theo's part.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3381184

SVG maybe trying to get the refs attention with the shoulder comment. Maybe not.
But Theo is talking too much.

In watching this series and series' in previous years against SVG coached teams, he CONSTANTLY makes these little remarks to try to influence refs. Almost in a backhanded compliment kind of way. Like a "These guys are really good..... at cheating" vibe going on. I've already seen him talk about how much "Pushing, grabbing, and forearm riding" the Pistons "get away with" on about 5 separate occasions. No question he's trying to leave hints for refs.

On another note... I've seen the replay of Howard 'hurting his hand' at least 10 times now and I have yet to see any contact made with his hand. Making excuses for his piss performance?

I didn't see it the first 5-6 times either. It looks like he banged it on Rashard's elbow though because right after Rashard grabs his elbow in pain and looks back at Dwight. I'm sure there was some serious dramatization though.

A few notes:

What Theo said wasn't that bad. He was explaining why he held back Jason Maxiell from getting into trouble, and then went on to characterize the kind of game he sees Orlando playing. Maxiell's comments are the inflammatory ones - basically saying that their star player wasn't that strong.

And if the Hedgehog doesn't like the physical nature of NBA playoff games, he should be reminded that there aren't any bumping or forearms in fishing. And he'll be fishing soon enough.

SWAMI IS TALKING JUNK

Kind of off topic here, but worth mentioning for whatever reason...

My little brother works at PF Changs in Troy at The Somerset Collection, and he told me that when they were about to close on Saturday night, some "tall ugly dude" came in at the last minute with some groupies and ordered a ton of calamari...

He said one of the cooks told him it was Peja Stojakovic, but obviously it wasn't since Peja was currently playing a game in New Orleans...

It was Hedo Turkoglu and a few gold diggers. Damn bastard is ugly as sin yet still gets more ass than a toilet seat...

He's rich and on tv, and you are overrating pussy if you look down upon how much more ass he gets than the average person. Women have always been better at looking past fugliness than us anyways.

No kidding. I can't get past it. I would never be able to fuck Star Jones, even for all of that money...

I get tired of people calling us soft and saying things that we can't do. It's been going on all year.
He's so close to enlightenment.


"You can have a lot of energy when you play five minutes a game," he said. "What has he (Theo Rattliff) played all season, 15 games? Tell him to come out and guard me at the 3-point line and we'll see what happens."
These guys are seriously psyching themselves out. They can and probably will regroup and get their minds right for game three in orlando but tonight could get ugly, embarassingly ugly for orlando.


In watching this series and series' in previous years against SVG coached teams, he CONSTANTLY makes these little remarks to try to influence refs.

It's a good strategy and it works. I remember Phil Jackson using it to great effect over the years. If you harp on it enough you will get those calls after 3 or 4 games.


Women have always been better at looking past fugliness to focus on money, fame and power than us anyways.
Fixed.

He's rich and on tv, and you are overrating pussy if you look down upon how much more ass he gets than the average person. Women have always been better at looking past fugliness than us anyways.

This is completely true.

Have you ever had a chick bust out the "looks aren't that important to me" line on you? That line is hilarious on so many levels.

Somehow this morphed into the "Hot Chicks With Douchebags" thread.

Money power and fame are true. But there's also what I call the soap opera attention aspect that shouldn't be overlooked. Sometimes a man can be broke, ugly, and w/o a job. But he still has an ability to say the right things to women and trigger them in spite of what he doesnt have.. Now conversely, that doesnt happen nearly as often with men dealing with Broke, unattractive, jobless women.

Either way the main point is that Rashard Lewis is a 3, Theo Ratliff plays 5 minutes a game, and Hedo Turkoglu gets all the hoes. Which isn't as big an accomplishment unless you pride yourself on having all the hoes. Then your feelings may be hurt when he pulls them away from you. Eddie Murphy fucks transvestites on the side and could snatch Hedo's hoes. So Hoe snatching may not be a good measuring stick.

Certainly a good spectator sport though, hoe snatching.

Either way the main point is that Rashard Lewis is a 3, Theo Ratliff plays 5 minutes a game, and Hedo Turkoglu gets all the hoes.

I lol'd

Oh and for the record being married no matter how ugly you are is the ultimate turn on for hoes.

http://www.orlandomagicfan.com/images/hturkoglu20050703.jpg
http://www.aksam.com.tr/arsiv/aksam/2005/06/13/images/s23.jpg
http://img.takvim.com.tr/2005/06/13/im/001962C3DE7649448A639328b.jpg
Man he looks like he's immediate got plans for a post marriage bachelor party at the local brothel ready.

Did he get married on an escalator at the mall?

No kidding. I can't get past it. I would never be able to fuck Star Jones, even for all of that money...
Must be true love for DwYAne to do it.

"This down escalator represents my sexual interest in you over time."
"I do."

^ HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

What a contrast in mood compared to the run-up to game 2 of round 1.

Ladies, would you like to wake up to this in the morning?
http://images.habervitrini.com/haber_resim/hidayet_mick.jpg

^
to be fair, that was pre-nosejob

^
to be fair, that was post-uglystick
Fixed.

Somewhere, Grant Hill must be wondering where it all went wrong. He just made yet another exit in the first round, he may need surgery yet again and now he sits at home and watches his two former teams -- the Magic and Pistons -- play for the right to go to the Eastern Conference finals. ... Twice in his career, he thought the grass was greener on the other side of the country, but both times he ended up staring at chinch bugs and dollar weed.

Ouch.

Dollar weed?

105-87

What's the line on Rashard Lewis getting himself tossed tonight? I've got some alpacas burning a hole in my pocket.

JMax baby.

Turkoglu is a bitch. For some reason I don't like the guy. Okur as well.

I'm not racist against Turks either! My best coffee is Turkish.

Funny, I've always like Hedo when he was here in Sac. He was a good guy. I never liked Okur.

Hedo said in his best broken english...."If I break nose 1 more time, they have to drill it so i can breath. cuz breath important"

I'll never forget that. He was a fan fav around here and iirc, was supposed to be the replacement when Peja left here.

Its nice we're getting a lead, but then we'll just go sleep and OMag will come back on us.

I don't know Hedo as a person, so I'm not judging him based on how he is off the court. On the court though I just can't stand the guy.

I have a feeling I'd hate Memo as a person though. Damn Tur-I mean, asshole.

Pre-game they said the refs were going to clamp down to keep control. IMO, the refs have swallowed their whistles. CBill was thumped, Tay was knocked over, Sheed was fouled and no whistles.

They can swallow my load too while they're at it.

Then they call that shit on Dice? Oh these mudder fuckers. I hate these Zebras.

So much for Detroits defense so far. Gave up 29 in the first quarter.

Fuck Hedo, man. I bet he kills Armenian babies.

At least Max sees through an infant's race/ethnicity.

good god, it seems like Dice is getting screwed by the refs... constantly. and with no lube.

Stuckey with a stupid transition foul. Followed it up with a nice steal. He has to make that fast break layup though. He's not Carlos Delfino.

SVG trying to match bench for bench, but its to our advantage, thus he rushes to get howard back on the floor.

Arroyo got his body froze on that 1 stuckey crossover, ouch.

I really reallywant to believe that I'm going to see a huge breakout playoff performance from Stuckey one of these nights. Maybe he's saving it for Boston.

Shorten the rotation? fucccckkkkk That!!! Our bench is the x factor.

Our bench is definately not intimidated by anyone.

Stuck has had some impressive assists tonight

stuckey is playing great. if he can work on his range and finishing in traffic in the offseason, he'll be outstanding.

he is a surprisingly good passer for a rookie.

Our bench is definately not intimidated by anyone.

Case in point, Stuck posts up Nelson and calls for the ball. Misses the bunny hook but goes to the line.

Nice when you 2nd string PG gets fouls on their starter.

this game is far from over and the series certainly is too. but this orlando team is a joke. i expected to see some 'toughness' or at least their version of 'toughness' tonight after all that talk lewis did.

all i'm seeing out there is a bunch of soft mickey mouses out there. even howard is a pussy. a very big talented one, but a pussy nonetheless.

this series is almost a waste of our time.....they can't defend us for anything. anyway i just hope our players don't adopt that mindset but seriously- this team has no business playing with us.

let's drop the hammer tonight and go down there and go up 3-0 and put an end to this thing.

Flip almost took the bench out, but was able to check himself enough to leave them in and call billups/hamilton back to the bench. Almost a bad decision turned good. Gotta trust the guys the same way you did all year.

put in ratliff so we can see what kind of tough guy lewis is. lol

here's ratliff! normally i don't like him getting many minutes but this is a good series to use him on howard. or lewis. lol

*Yawn*

It's too early to say bring on Spurs-Hornets, but bring on Spurs-Hornets.

Our bench > Their bench

So much for Detroits defense so far. Gave up 29 in the first quarter.

shut em down in the 2nd though. 11pts

Way to show that douche nozzle who's boss, Tahoe!

I bet Charles just acts bored with this game.

Way to show that douche nozzle who's boss, Tahoe!

I had to call him out. I'm hatin all that negative stuff.

I've been in and out, didn't see much of the 1st but I saw all the good stuff. Pistons looking like the Pistons.

Barkley contributes nothing new when it comes to his analysis, but for some reason I like him. I guess it's because he sounds smart sometimes when compared to Kenny.

I like him too, despite the FACT that he doesn't like the Pistons. imo anyway.

They keep scoring, we keep scoring back.

...And they keep hitting 3s.

We need our D to step up or to make sure Kstat is at the game. One or the other.

The 3 point barrage is just nuts...7/7 in the quarter.

Their luck is bound to change. But our D does need to kick it up a notch. Nice Maxiell D on Howard there.

Rattled!

Gotta love that shot by CBill

We can seriously get anything we want against these guys on the offensive end. If we just do a better job closing out on shooters and keep doing what we're doing against Dwight, we should be good.

Pam is carrying around quite a rack there. She definately has the trunk...I didn't know she had the hood ornaments though.

Pam is carrying around quite a rack there. She definately has the trunk...I didn't know she had the hood ornaments though.

She looks pregnant.

They ain't making shit with guys all up in their grills.

And fuck Dwight, but that dunk was nastay.

She looks pregnant.

If that's the case, I feel bad. It's Rob Parker's.

If the OMag cool off on the outside, I like our chances. Even with Howards dunk.

LMAO what was that TAY?

Oh shit, didn't see him getting undercut.

I'll live with a thunda jam by Howard. He has rarely gotten any in the two games.

yep, last I checked it was worth 2 pts.

She looks pregnant.

She better not be 2 timing me.

The Magicians are cold, but so are we.

Howard fouled Max on the way up

She better not be 2 timing me.


He better not be two-timing me.

You just know Orlando is going to be bitching to the media about the refs in this one.

Come on Max...

Well, at least he split.

WTF kind of a posession was that?! Why are we always guilty of shit like this?

Those were 2 pretty fucked up possessions. 1 by them, 1 by us.

Yep, Tay throwing up a prayer. And apparently Tay isn't religious

Those were 2 pretty fucked up possessions. 1 by them, 1 by us.

No Sheed. They should have taken a time out there

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww the ref might have fucked up on that possession call but I'll take it

Yep, Tay throwing up a prayer. And apparently Tay isn't religious

Every damn time. No movement at all and we end up with a heave by Prince with a dude in his face.

Orlando has really fucked up in this quarter. Not that I'm complaining. :)

"Fucking bullshit" sez Van Jeremy.

Orlando got undercut by their own point guards. One fouled out away from the ball. The other fouled away from the ball on the inbounds. That team needs a guard upgrade badly.

They can complain about the 3 pointer and possibly that ball going out of bounds off of Ratlif, but the Magic's stupid fouls and careless turnovers at crunch time cost them their chance at winning, IMO.

Like I said.. Pistons looked like the Pistons lol. That's not how I meant it when I said it but at least they pulled out the win.


I don't feel bad about Chauncey making that 3. It's not uncommon for a couple tenths to tick off before the refs start the clock, and by TNTs clock he shot late by .12 seconds.

^ yep Pheeew. They had a great chance to steal one, but screwed it up.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/StanVanGundy_20050723.jpg/180px-StanVanGundy_20050723.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/3901/RonJeremyE_Mazur_6587144_400.jpg

You know what's funny? I was reading about him (Van Gundy) on wikipedia (where I got my pic from) and it said that there were rumors that Shaq was the one who wanted him out of Miami and also liked to call him Ron Jeremy.

Snaq was just mad he stole cheezburgers off the table, and had a stache.

Or because SVG looks like a pedo. Shaq's a cop, you know.

Good win. Faced some adversity, recovered, very nicely done. Smooth sailing baby...

We're up 2-0, and Boston hasn't even won 1 yet...

Barkley contributes nothing new when it comes to his analysis, but for some reason I like him. I guess it's because he sounds smart sometimes when compared to Kenny.
You have to love any sports broadcasting network that hires a confirmed crazy person to do analysis.

I have a few friends that went to this game, some of them went in Cavs gear and tried to start fights in the 6$ seats. Fucking idiots.

Or because SVG looks like a pedo. Shaq's a cop, you know.
I'd pick JVG for the pedo:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/vangundy011208.jpg

SVG just looks like he's taking it in the ass:
http://www.nba.com/media/van_gundy_stan_300_070502.jpg
Not pictured: Jerry West fucking him

Seriously, I better not hear anything about that Billups 3 being brought up by Orlando in the media.

And speaking of Billups, this is the Chauncey we needed to see in the playoffs the past two years.

i don't want to hear any crying from the magic about that shot at the end of the 3rd. last time i checked, 3 points at the end of the 3rd with 12 minutes still left do NOT decide a game.

that being said, we need to play better in orlando if we're to avoid dropping a couple of games there. true the magic shooters got hot and i don't expect them to hit 7 three's in a row very often.

but even still- we were in control of this game and let it get away a bit. eerily similar to game 1 against philly for a while there. we had no movement on offense and allowed their 'defense' to bog us down.

The best part is how they covered the spread with those last couple free throws.

The best part is how they covered the spread with those last couple free throws.

I lol'd when that happened.

Just like we don't want to hear excuses from the Magic, Pistons fans better STFU about the officiating the rest of this series, we've been given a gift.

^ Magic fan.

Before you get all defensive n shit...I was kidding.

Naw, I fucking hate them Amway son'bitches.

I just realize that the calls are going to go the Magic's way now, just like they'll go the Spurs way back in SA.

It cracks me up that the ESPNs and TNTs of the world are afriad to address the huge disparity of calls and therefore, outcomes, based on who has the home court.

The Boston/Atlanta series is a prime example of how this league is very WWE-ish in many ways.

The Boston/Atlanta series is a prime example of how this league is very WWE-ish in many ways.

You got $5000 on you?

Calls like that happen. If it went the other way, the Pistons would have a beef because they were trying to execute based on how much time was left on the clock. The difference is, the Pistons could have overcome that, the Magic are a bunch of whiney bitches.

The officiating was bad, at best, in that game anyway. There were a lot of random calls that went against both teams, and more so against the Pistons in the first half.

I think the best way to handle that kind of situation is to allow the points and then give the Magic the ball with the original 5.1 still on the clock. If you think team A got the shot off, then acknowledge both the points and the screw up and give the other team a sporting chance of cancelling out the error. I doubt Saunders (or any coach in his position) would argue with getting the points but having to make a stop in that situation.

The Billups shot is being talked about all over ESPN.

a few things:

i would have them replay the last 5.1 with the clock fixed. but in reality they can't do that so it has to stand.

i agree that the pistons players were just playing to the whistle/buzzer so perhaps if they glance up and see the clock is lower then they put a shot up sooner. maybe in glancing up they didn't realise it was stuck and you can't blame them for it.

the clock operator is from minnesota and has nothing to do with detroit or the piston organisation. so that talk is nonsense...

as for this huge advantage everyone is talking about....it's all BS. even if it had happened to us i would not be upset. there was still a full 12 minutes of game left after it happened. it hardly affected the outcome at all.

these announcers and talk show people are full of it and are just looking for controversy, as usual.

and if we want to talk about poor officiating decisions, it begins with the horrible foul calls that put dice and sheed (2 key players for us) in foul trouble and made them virtually unavailable to us in the last few minutes. (LITERALLY in dice's case)

Mike and Mike talked about it this morning. The refs followed the rules correctly. Both of them said that, but also said the rules suck.

You can't simply discount it because the Pistons did not have a clock to go by. I'd rather see it replayed personally.

Yes it was a blown call. Tragic. Whatever. It was the end of the third, not the fourth and to their credit the magic players and coach aren't the ones saying it was the difference in the game. All the fuss is coming from fans and media.

With twelve minutes yet to be played and only a two-point difference in the score, that call doesn't even come close to being an excuse for failure to execute down the stretch.

Or maybe it is, and if so, fuck them anyway.

Mechanical Problems Divert Magic Plane on Flight to Orlando

Posted May 6 2008 11:53AM

ORLANDO, Fla., May 6 (AP) The Orlando Magic's flight from Detroit to Orlando was diverted because of a mechanical problem.

Team spokesman Joel Glass says the plane landed in Cincinnati as a precaution late Monday. The Magic were trying to return home after a 100-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons that set them back 2-0 in the second-round playoff series.

No one was injured, the plane was serviced and the team spent the night in Cincinnati. The coaches and players were boarding Tuesday morning to return home.

Well, if the Magic come out flat in game 3, here's the media-ready excuse.

Must have been an Amway-built plane or something.

We're done in game 3. The Magic are pissed about spending the night in OHIO.

Zekyl. Give Jameer Nelson Kelsey's phone number. 7

whew, happy we came out with a win.

the 3 is debatable, but who gives a fuck. what about the horrible foul called in game1? or what about the horrible officiating, which usually goes against us

If Orlando loses this series, they're going to look back on this game and the three pointer at the end of the third quarter as what did them in. :rolleyes:

Except that the refs followed the rules perfectly. This one is Stern's fault.

Another rule change based on it benefiting us again? funny.

:langlois:


Eastern Conference semifinals, Game Three: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pistons at Magic Gameday
By Keith Langlois

TV: TNT | Radio: WDFN 1130 AM - The Fan

Last Meeting: Detroit won 100-93 (May 5, 2008)

The skinny: Orlando’s 7 of 7 Game 2 third-quarter shooting from behind the 3-point arc temporarily raised the Magic’s 3-point percentage in the series to .375 – but that still didn’t match their regular-season norm of .386, fourth-best in the NBA. Then the Magic went 1 of 9 in the fourth quarter to drop back down to .317. Will Orlando shoot better at home? Maybe. During the regular season, Orlando shot .400 (405 of 1,1012) from the arc at home (405 of 1,012) compared to .373 (396 of 1,062). The player with the most notable differential is Hedo Turkoglu, who shot .453 from the arc at home and .349 on the road. Jameer Nelson, who hit 5 of 8 3-pointers in the first two games at The Palace, conversely, was much better on the road (.482) than at home (.338). Turnovers were a major bugaboo in Game 2 as Orlando committed 19, 17 of them split between the starting frontcourt of Dwight Howard, Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. The Magic’s rotation was altered in Game 2 as Adonal Foyle replaced Marcin Gortat in the limited role as Howard’s backup and Carlos Arroyo played 10 minutes after not getting into Game 1. Backup wing man Keith Bogans has contributed little in the first two games – he’s 1 for 7, a 3-pointer – for three points after making 15 of 20, including 12 of 14 from the 3-point line, in four regular-season games against the Pistons.

What to watch: Orlando has had trouble containing Detroit’s big men as Rasheed Wallace (10 of 19), Jason Maxiell (10 of 13), Antonio McDyess (7 of 11) and Theo Ratliff (2 of 3) have combined to shoot .630 over the first two games. Flip Saunders wants them to get more opportunities. Tayshaun Prince has continued to shoot well; he’s now at .604 in the postseason. Defensively, the Pistons have limited Howard to just 22 shot attempts, which places him fourth on the team. Wallace has spent most of his time guarding Lewis, who has made only 15 of 41 (.366), 2 of 12 from the 3-point line. Will Saunders have as much confidence in his rookie backcourt, Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, on the road after he let Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton sit for nine minutes of Game 2’s second quarter while Stuckey and Afflalo helped the Pistons open a 14-point lead? Jarvis Hayes played four minutes of garbage time at the end of Game 1 and didn’t play at all in Game 2, but his 3-point shooting ability makes him a possibility to affect this series yet.

From ESPN.com's TrueHoop



Magic vs. Pistons

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-bianchi0708may07,0,6874351.column) "Believe me, the Magic will need every bit of help they can get tonight from the fans, refs, clock operators, media homers, etc. The Pistons, after all, have taken nine straight playoff games from the Magic. In Detroit, the Magic were beat up and beat down by the Pistons. They were harangued and harassed. They were taunted and trash-talked. Now, finally, they come home for Game 3. The only clock the Magic need to worry about now is the one that will tell them time's up on their season if they lose tonight."

John Hollinger in the New York Sun: (http://www2.nysun.com/article/75999)"... the losing side can't help but think about how the game might have been different had Billups's 3-pointer not counted. And if they end up losing the series in seven games, they'll undoubtedly point back to that one play as a major reason. Like I said, it didn't have to happen this way. Had the league been proactive instead of reactive when drafting its rules, it would have considered the possibility of clock malfunctions. Instead they'll wait until next year for that rule, and the Magic will be left to wonder, 'What if?'"

Ken Hornack of the Daytona Beach News-Journal: (http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/NBA/sptMAG01050708.htm) "Care to retract that 'aging and increasingly complacent' comment about the Pistons before the series began? Let's see what happens tonight. Yes, they have now won five playoff games in a row, with Monday night's 100-93 victory over the Magic being the only close one in the bunch. But should the Pistons falter, they're back in the same situation they were through three games in the Eastern Conference finals a year ago against Cleveland. For now, however, age and complacency don't seem to be an issue."

Chris McCosky of The Detroit News: (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/SPORTS0102/805070376/1127) "The Pistons are a rather pedestrian 6-9 in Game 3s dating to the 2004 championship run. 'Everyone always plays more emotional at home,' coach Flip Saunders said. 'They're going to play much more aggressive, more physical, and if they make seven 3-pointers at home, they're going to blow the roof right off that building. They're going to try to play with a lot of emotion. Our main thing is, we have to take that emotion out of the game.' The Pistons know the formula. Control the tempo, don't turn the ball over, take smart shots and try to keep the Magic from inciting the crowd with dunks and, like Saunders said, 3-pointers."

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press: (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/SPORTS03/805070328/1051) "Tayshaun Prince is finding his upside. He's shooting more. He's asserting himself more on the floor and in the locker room. He's providing more offense without compromising his greatest strength -- perimeter defense. Prince can become a star -- not an easy task when you're remembered as the only Pistons starter who didn't make the All-Star Game two years ago. 'I told him that he's the one guy who has the most room for improvement,' Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. 'He's at a point right now that these playoffs could become his stepping stone for this eventually becoming his team. He can be that guy.'"

we need this game 3- no let downs! if we can win tonight we can crush their hopes in this series. a loss and they'll start believing they can win and the series gets exponentially more difficult with each game following.

i hope we come out and take care of business. a 3-0 lead would basically clinch the series, more or less. then it would just be a matter of how long we wait to close it out officially. but a 2-1 series takes on a whole new light and could shift the momentum in their favor.

the losing side can't help but think about how the game might have been different had Billups's 3-pointer not counted. And if they end up losing the series in seven games, they'll undoubtedly point back to that one play as a major reason. Like I said, it didn't have to happen this way. Had the league been proactive instead of reactive when drafting its rules, it would have considered the possibility of clock malfunctions. Instead they'll wait until next year for that rule, and the Magic will be left to wonder, 'What if?'"
You can't be fucking serious. Hollinger really is a cunt.

I could see us losing tonight and winning game 4. Come back home with a 3-1.

You can't be fucking serious. Hollinger really is a cunt.

Why? If they get swept or lose in 5, it's obviously because of Billups 3. Not because Orlando is just a shitty team.

neither game will be easy. Both teams will play hard.

We'll win. I told you all, we're going to sweep them again. Not that the Magic aren't a good team, we're just that much better.

If we can sweep them that is a huge step for us (because we always relax on teams).

Man, everybody (on the radio and on various sports websites) seems to think Orlando will win today...

The way I see it, Orlando isn't going to drain 8 straight 3's at any point for the remainder of this series, so their 3rd Quarter from Game 2 was basically the peak of what they're going to do in any one quarter from here on out...

I just don't think Dwight Howard is a super star yet and he's not capable of putting the team on his back and getting them a W...mainly b/c he's so limited to what he can do offensively...

He can't shoot, he's a pathetic foul shooter, and I think he gets frustrated too easily (which was made apparent in Gm 2 when he picked up a useless Tech)

Man, everybody (on the radio and on various sports websites) seems to think Orlando will win today...


Never, ever underestimate the power of NBA...

http://chefwalt.netfirms.com/cookbookshop/nfoscomm/catalog/images/953875N.gif

Especially when the NBA has acknowledged that they screwed the Magic last game.

Unless the Magic shoot 40+% from three, it is going to take 40 FT attempts to get them a win tonight. And every single questionable possession call given to the magic.

Anyone see this in the Free Press today?

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/SPORTS03/80507031/1048

Maybe they'll pass out light blue t-shirts too so that the crowd can all look the same. I fucking hate Florida sports!

I think Orlando will come out firing and get the calls. I'm just hoping the Pistons play one of those veteran games: roll with the punches, make no mistakes, keep up pressure on D, keep it close and take it over in the 4th. That's all I'm asking for.

Anyone see this in the Free Press today?

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/SPORTS03/80507031/1048

Maybe they'll pass out light blue t-shirts too so that the crowd can all look the same. I fucking hate Florida sports!

I think Orlando will come out firing and get the calls. I'm just hoping the Pistons play one of those veteran games: roll with the punches, make no mistakes, keep up pressure on D, keep it close and take it over in the 4th. That's all I'm asking for.

Fuck yo couch, Orlando.

"I think that if the Magic getting all of the calls is inevitable, relax and enjoy it."

salvatore is one of the refs tonight. that pretty much should tell you the nba wants to make sure we'll lose this game.

no billups now either? this'll be at least a 20 point loss. especially with how sluggish we're looking out there.

i want to believe, and we are capable of winning still. but not at this rate.

This is the most blatant league game in NBA history.

This is the most blatant league game in NBA history.

Seriously.....

I hope Chauncey's not too seriously hurt, that would seriously fuck our chances.

As in for the rest of the playoffs.

OK we've settled down and are actually running some offense now. there is still hope...but no billups.

I dont believe we should get blown out. I do think we need to settle down a lil' which we have. Those games we played the bench all season(especially towards the end) are a much bigger deal now. Also Flip 's coaching will be important tonight. He can't lay an egg.

Leaving Hayes on the roster over a PG (Hunter/Dixon) is killing us. I have a feeling its mostly because he'd really be unhappy in a nice suit. But he hurts us on defense so hard right now and has nothing on offense to make up for it.

Jarvis is in and playing terible "defense" on Rashard Lewis. the egg has already been laid.

Get Jarvis off the court and we'll be cool.

I do believe we can win this game. dont now why, but we can can imo.

What is the point of Jarvis being in the game if they're not going to set up a shot for him?? At least see if he's having one of those nights...

God, we may just get back into this game soley on Turkoglu missed shots in the paint...

Man Herrmann needs to be resigned this offseason. I like his hustle alot and his defense on Turk has been solid.

What is the point of Jarvis being in the game if they're not going to set up a shot for him?? At least see if he's having one of those nights...
No time to do that down double digits. Fuck him, we need to run our offense. Not look for Jarvis sitting at the 3 point line.


You got to move around if you want the ball.

Chat anyone?

This is incredibly hypocritical of me I'm sure but as much as I love when we drain a 3 I really hate teams that live by the 3. I mean I really fucking hate them.

The 3rd quarter may decide this game.

This is incredibly hypocritical of me I'm sure but as much as I love when we drain a 3 I really hate teams that live by the 3. I mean I really fucking hate them.
They die by them too.

what happened to Maxiell?

Billups will not return tonight, per TNT

Step up Stuckey

what happened to Maxiell?


i wondered this too. hopefully he'll have his 4th quarter jump shot fine-tuned again

Billups will not return tonight, per TNT
it would be dumb to risk it. If we were down 0-2 or tied 1-1 it might happen.

One stat i dont like. No blocks for the #1 blocking team.

Man Herrmann needs to be resigned this offseason. I like his hustle alot and his defense on Turk has been solid.

Hermann is getting a lot of minutes recently. He's been playing great on defense, but is he known as an offensive player? I've hardly seen him take any shots.

Admittedly, I have not seen him play much.

Sheed has to quit swiping

Hermann is getting a lot of minutes recently. He's been playing great on defense, but is he known as an offensive player? I've hardly seen him take any shots.
Mainly because he looks uncomfortable trying to find his role. The one thing he has in common with jarvis. But he plays defense, hustles and makes solid passes while he goes through that. Which makes him useful.

Dice can't take Lewis on the offensive end???

oh man.....he's played solid all along, but THIS is stuckey's breakout game! chance to cut it to 5.

this game is right there for the taking if we can just maintain our composure and keep executing.

Stuckey is stepping up.

this game is right there for the taking if we can just maintain our composure and keep executing.
Defense and execution is a path to winning this game.

i like hermann's play too. the hustle, the scrappy play, the intangibles. and to answer the question....he's actually a decent scorer and a nice outside shooter. he's just a bit hesitant right now.

i love the guy and i would definitely hope we re-sign him. i love the matchup of him on the turk.

this could be the playoff emergence of stuckey

stuckey and rip have been our best players tonight.

Fuck you Howard

down to 5 and chance to cut to 3, come on guys!.....down to 3 with the prince J!!!!!!!! he's been good tonight too i should add.

damnit! stuckey with the nice steal and then rip throws away an easy layup.....and the magic get a 3 coming back! :o(

Stuckey and Prince are turning into Montana and Rice out there.

down to 4 but we're totally in control of this game. just have to rebound and close out on their shooters. and we'll come all the way back.

Dwight on the line

The only things that can kill us now are:

1) Leaving THREE POINT SHOOTERS wide open

2) Rip ball-handling.

Howard pushes every time in the low block when he has the ball. He elbows, shoulders or bodies someone before he goes up.

FUCK Rashard Lewis.

Gonna have to give Stuck a rest so we can have him in late 4th.

Nice fake

Hey go to the line. Smart play

Gonna have to give Stuck a rest so we can have him in late 4th.
Affalo can step in

Basically the big difference is we are closing out on 3 point shooters. As long as we dont give up open 3s, we are fine.

Gonna have to give Stuck a rest so we can have him in late 4th.

COME ON...he's like a teenager yet. He should be able to play 2 games in a row.

Especially that bitch Rashard Lewis.

rashard lewis is a player, but luckily he's not the lead guy, so he'll differ more often than he should.

I want Sheed to start nailing some 3 pointers. Just to fuck with the crowd.

Did pam oliver call Stan "Dan"? lol

Basically the big difference is we are closing out on 3 point shooters. As long as we dont give up open 3s, we are fine.

..... two threes and the comeback is gone just like that. ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS GUARD THE 3 POINT LINE.

defend the fucking 3's. who cares if they get 2's...they live and die outside.

Sheed is the reason they keep getting open threes. He should be playing center or not at all.

Did pam oliver call Stan "Dan"? lol

how did she get that job? she sucks at interviewing, she's fugly, and she she has trouble pronouncing words.

detroit needs a quick 6 or 8-0 run here to get it close again.