BL's Take: What a surprise this was! The Sixers coming into game three and winning against the heavily favored Pistons, despite being at home, is still a big upset, and actually gives Philly the advantage going into game 4 in Philadelphia this weekend. The Sixers had both Sam Dalembert and Andre Miller step in and make plays, as every possession counts in the playoffs. And this wasn't a close victory, either. The Sixers took the Pistons to school, for a change, maintaining their mental focus and intensity to take the series lead.
And the Pistons…they certainly need to get their acts together if they hope not to be embarrassed and hope to get out of the first round. The Pistons are the most dominant team this decade in the Eastern Conference; they must maintain focus on the prize, and realize that they cannot continue to play a lackadaisical type of ball game. They must get something more from Billups and McDyess, as Rip Hamilton has proven that he cannot go it alone without his teammates help. Rasheed Wallace was a non-factor in this game, as well, as he was outplayed and outmatched by Dalembert. They will need to steal game 4, otherwise this will be one of the larger playoff upsets in recent memory.
BL's Take: This game was the Hornets to lose, as they had one their first two in New Orleans in dominating fashion. I had suspected that the story may be different in Dallas, and that was proven correct as Dirk and Co. came out and played much better. I believe that Dirk has made the determination that he'll get this done no matter what. Dirk's monster came tonight only solidifies his position as the 3rd best power forward in the NBA, and certainly as the star player on the Mavericks. The Mavs will need to take this momentum into game 4, and tie this thing up. They will need more from Josh Howard (5-16 FG?!) and at least something from the bench if they hope to win the series. Jerry Stackhouse only played 7 minutes in this contest, and I feel like he could be an X-Factor for them.
The Hornets probably should have lost this one, as the higher seed losing the first away game is the true start of a series. No sweeps this year, and the Hornets should have suspected that that Mavs were not going to let this one go without a fight. Chris Paul, while leading the team in scoring and assists, will need to have a different type of effort to beat the Dallas defense (What's that?!), who have apparently figured out how to limit the number of plays that he can make, at least for the time being. David West and Peja Stojakovic also will need to shoot much better (6-20 & 4-12, respectively) if the Hornets don't want to lose game 4 at Dallas this weekend.
BL's Take: Suns are finished. You can stick a fork in them, because no team ever comes back from 3-0 to win a series. And this Suns team isn't the one to be the first.
Shawn Marion was right for wanting to leave. Shaq was wrong for thinking he could get this team over the hump. Always next year, right Phoenix? Oh wait…maybe not. I forgot that your window was closing. Goodnight, Irene…
That's all for me! Be back tomorrow night for a review of all of Saturday's big playoff action!
Don't forget…send feedback! I'm desperate! (Well…not THAT desperate…), and I want to sell you my comics!
Good stuff. What amuses me about Detroit is that they act like they are the Bulls from the 90s or the Lakers from 2000-2002. Hey guys you won ONE CHAMPIONSHIP. I swear this team lost its edge when Larry Brown left and then Ben Wallace followed. Time to stop being arrogant assholes! By the way can we please find some commentators who will give the other team credit and stop saying what Detroit is doing wrong??
Posted By: JM (Guest) on April 26, 2008 at 01:14 PM
As a Pistons fan I hope they lose in the first round so Flip Saunders will be fired and they get a coach who will actually, well, coach the team rather than stand there with arms folded as they self destruct from absolute lack of discipline. Could Steve Kerr be back at the announce table if the Spurs finish with a sweep? Tony Parker looked like a god last night. If he could do that every game the Spurs would go unbeaten through the playoffs. Title number 5 looks well within reach, and they deserve it. What concentration and killer instinct to get it done when they easily could have half assed it and let this become a series. Kobe, Dirk, Paul, Garnett, it doesn't matter. They're just on the tracks and the train is coming...
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on April 26, 2008 at 01:54 PM
AI is still my favorite player, but as a Sixers fan, this is the best I've felt about this team since the yr we made it 2 the semis (04 I think, we lost in 6 to DET). Detroit is very cocky, and they won't think they're out of this series until they look up and see triple 0s in the Sixers' 4th win (not saying that the Sixers will win, but it's seeming more and more likely now). If the Pistons don't start playing like they actually care, they'll be watching Round 2 from the couch. Personally, I hope they keep on playing like they did in Game 3.
Posted By: Bobby (Guest) on April 27, 2008 at 03:34 AM
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