The Pistons Beat Up the Celtics to Take Game 4 in Detroit
So now it’s a best-of-three series in the East, after the Pistons won a brutally ugly, super-physical Game 4 last night over the Celtics, 94-75 … Chalk it up to the Pistons’ D, to the Celtics just not having it, or whatever, but Boston couldn’t make a damn thing from the floor last night. Right from the jump, it took them about four or five minutes for Boston to get their first field goal and it never got easier after that. Every made bucket felt like a monumental effort that was reflected in the numbers. Boston shot just 31% from the field and the Big 3 went a combined 11-38. If Boston doesn’t make it to the foul line 39 times last night, we’d be talking about an easy 30-piecing today … Making the Celtics earn it from the strip was clearly part of the Pistons’ game plan. After the game, Doc Rivers was talking about how physical the game was and noted that Detroit clearly had employed a “No Layup” rule for the game … True, Detroit should be praised for gutting out a must-win game, but there’s something about the Pistons that makes us think that in the grand scheme of things, there’s no way they can win a title this season. They just don’t seem to have the killer instinct that has been one of their hallmarks for the last four or five years. Everyone talks about their ability to turn it on when they need to, but they don’t seem to be able to ruthlessly dispatch an opponent when the situation calls for it. Last night’s game was a perfect example. The Celtics were awful for most of the first quarter and Detroit pulled out to a double-digit lead, but they were never able to just go for the throat in order to put the game away. Instead, they let Boston hang around the entire time, allowing a struggling squad to stay in the game until there were just a few minutes to go. Would Detroit be able to survive a series against the Spurs or Kobe without delivering kill shots when they presented themselves? No way … If Chauncey really decided to go for his in this series instead of managing the Pistons’ offense, what kind of damage could he do? He didn’t have a great shooting night on Monday, but there’s no one on the Celtics roster who can guard him. He can take Rajon Rondo and Sam Cassell off the bounce or on the box at will (and Eddie House can’t even get on the floor because of what the Pistons guards would do to him). Billups is averaging just a little more than 11 ppg in this series … We know that Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau has the reputation of being a defensive genius, but some of the stuff we saw going on with Boston’s D was kinda crazy. How many times have these two teams played each other this season? How many times have the players on both sides matched up in the past? We said it in our halftime notes from last night: you have to know who you’re playing against. The only Pistons you ever have to worry about taking the ball to the cup are Chauncey, Tayshaun and sometimes Rip. Rasheed Wallace won’t take the ball to the hoop. And Antonio McDyess will never drive the ball. Ever. We know the Pistons are playing pick-and-pop a lot with their bigs, but there’s still no reason to not get up on ‘Dyess and make him put it on the deck. He’ll stick that jumper mid-range jumper every time and did last night, giving Boston 21 … How about Jason Maxiell’s block on KG in the first half where he tracked him down and swatted what was going to be a breakaway dunk? Unreal. We were kind of surprised that Garnett didn’t get the superstar-benefit-of-the-doubt call. And it wasn’t the first time Max has done it to KG … At least twice in this series, the TV broadcast has shown the entire starting lineups announcements, including the home team’s requisite jumbotron video to fire up the crowd before their team’s starters are brought out. Why doesn’t every broadcast of every NBA game do this? Wouldn’t you watch it every single time? NBA teams pull out all the stops to put together those jumbotron videos. A few years ago, the Miami Heat’s pre-game video looked like it had the budget of “Armageddon” or “Titanic” or something. It had special effects, crazy graphics, elaborate setups and shots – every single player on the roster had a slow motion clip of him getting out of a limo and walking down a paparazzi-lined red carpet while flashbulbs were going off. And then there’s this one from 2006 that looks like it was directed by Hype Williams: … Question for you: “Mason,” the Pistons’ in-arena announcer (the “DEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL” guy). Entertaining? Or is he just the worst? … Looking ahead to tonight’s Game 4 of the Lakers / Spurs series, Lamar Odom apparently knows that he needs give his team something (he was just 2-11 from the floor in Game 3). He blamed himself repeatedly after his team was handled in San Antonio on Sunday night and when reporters asked him yesterday what he needed to do to get himself in gear, he said, “Dunk the basketball. Take it hard to the rim.” He should have that talk with Pau also … We’re out like Celtic shooters.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:23 am
jackass says:
first bitchezzz
May 27th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Celticsdada says:
The Celtics played like crap tonight…no excuses, Ray is struggle again, PP couldnt hit big shot tonight..OO well…we’ll get you back in Boston. Ohh that dude Mason is annoying as hell…cant stand it
May 27th, 2008 at 12:44 am
catdaddywhack says:
THIRD.
talk about ugly ball. the worst game of the series
May 27th, 2008 at 1:05 am
sam says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNyg7tTXess
check that outtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt who cares about the pistonsm, kobe and some real black mambas (not reallY)
May 27th, 2008 at 1:09 am
marcus says:
well, good job dime for getting that opening video by miami (haslem looks funny doing that rapper thingy)…
…still, it beats that old chicago entrance where that digital bull runs all over town…
and btw, maxiell owns KG, nuff said haters!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Coach T-sun says:
The Gift and the Curse the “switch” comes from rasheed’s attitude towards the game he can be a killer but at times he’ll lose some of his mental toughness and gets emotional or drained from whatever it is. The Veterans just rubs off of that thus we see the pistons as it is today.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Markail says:
Mason is entertaining. The only people who say it’s annoying are those who wish their team had thought of bringing a “brother” in first. Mason is actually a radio DJ and he is Waaaaaay better than any of the corny ass announcers that other arenas have!!!
Deeeeeetroit Basketbaaaaaaaall!!!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 1:34 am
the_don_mega says:
that block was crazy…
May 27th, 2008 at 1:37 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Was the Nostradamous Young Fiz Correct? lol.
Gonna be interesting to see if the stones can steal another one in Bean town??
Go LAKERS!!
May 27th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Penny says:
Dice had a nice game – you can tell he really, really wants his this year. Guys can hate on the Pistons for not wanting it enough or switching on and off, but they will be in the Finals.
Billups will turn it up next game. Watch him go all Cloverfield on the C’s backcourt.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Big Daddy says:
There is no way that video of Kobe over the snakes is real…
If Boozer goes to the Heat there could be a real quick turnaround for the Heat next season with their #2 pick and all.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Jerry says:
about the game: yawn
May 27th, 2008 at 7:09 am
ya boy says:
how many people outside of bostonians and detroitians actually care about anything but the outcome of this series?!!teh,heh.
on another note.If he thought the Suns were frustrating I can’t wait to see d’antoni’s face after one month in knickland with the likes of marbury and z-bo.Now that’s some shit even money can’t buy(on second thought …,money just did).
May 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
hoopdini says:
Pistons looked good, but is anyone surprised? This series is not going to be a short one. It will go 7. Boston’s 3 party looked tired and sluggish, while the Pistons looked sharp. Speaking of the Pistons, I found this video of Detroit doing some trick shots during practice. Check it.
http://hoopdini.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/motown-mows-down-cs/
May 27th, 2008 at 8:10 am
bsteezy3 says:
Hey that guy Mason is OK… It’s just now everyone imitates him, and you grow tired of him, but it’s not HIM. Kinda like a video on MTV or BET…it’s a good song/rap, but after you hear it so much, you get tired of it–the song is still straight, it’s just you hear it too much. The better question is Stu Scott…is HE entertaining, or has his act grown tired?
May 27th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Celts Fan says:
The Detroit PA guy is annoying as hell. It has nothing to do with him being “a brother” or anything like that. It has everything to do with getting REALLY sick of hearing “Deeeeeeeeeeeee troit Basketbaaaaaall” after every friggin shot. After the 30th time, it gets a little annoying. That’s the verbal version of the wave…
May 27th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Celts Fan says:
about the game, not surprised we lost (does anyone really not think this is going 7?) but I’m REALLY surprised we got straight out-classed. Back to the same old crap on the road I guess…
May 27th, 2008 at 8:31 am
djKianoosh says:
i didn’t use to like it.. now i kinda dig it. it’s a fun atmosphere if you’re a fan.
both series might just go 7 as I predicted…
May 27th, 2008 at 8:49 am
patrickburke33 says:
Being from Boston this entire playoffs has been an emotional roller coaster. One game I think they are world beaters and legitimate contenders and the next game I wonder how they are even in the final four. Boston and Detroit are both teams that tend to play with some urgency when their backs are against the wall. Who is it going to catch up to first?
Patrick Burke
http://hoopsnetwork.com
May 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
rena the great says:
Mason rocks! After 2004, when he really made his name, he was actually offered jobs from 2 other NBA clubs. Nicest guy you will ever meet. As for the game, wow. That was ugly. The Pistons are like the girl who gets set up on a blind date, with “a really great personality.”
Detroit in 7.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Drew says:
This is random I know, But does anyone know of a baseball site similar to Dime/Smack where theres daily writeups on the previous days games? Just wondering because I’m a pretty big baseball fan and love the Smack feature here, just wanted to know if there was some sort of similar site.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Juanito says:
Celts Fan,
Mason only says the Detroit Basketball thing after a huge defensive play, like a block, steal or forcing a turnover. For my money, he’s better than any of the copycat dudes that followed him, or the rest of the 60-yr old dead white-guy announcers that are at the rest of the arenas. No way Mason would get a job in Boston, though. They won’t tolerate that kind of soul there, if you catch my drift…
May 27th, 2008 at 9:17 am
JA says:
Don’t call it a comeback, Detroit’s been here for years.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Celts Fan says:
Juanito, it’d be a lot easier to defend my city if the clowns that go to games didn’t wet themselves over a clip they play after every W from American Bandstand or some AWFUL, corny shit from the 70s. This goofy bastard with his name on his shirt (Gino) makes the crowd go NUTS. I don’t get it and I’m pretty sure this dude cashed out his chips with the HIV at some point a long time ago. Either way, it’s one of the corniest things you’ll ever see.
I do think the idea that we “won’t tolerate that kind of soul” is pretty ridiculous though. Who was the first black head coach in NBA history? Bill Russell. Who had the most black players on his teams in the 60s when most of the league still looked like Chitwood High? The Celtics. Who’s BY FAR the least popular Celtic in the past 5 years? Scalabrinie. Who’s the most popular player outside of the Big 3? Rondo. Look at our other teams too. The 2 most popular players on the Sox BY FAR are Manny and Papi. The most popular players on the Patriots after Brady are Moss, Vince Wilfork, Ben Watson, and Kevin Faulk (and let’s be real, if you have an all-time great QB, he’s going to be the most popular, regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. Tom Brady could go take a piss on Paul Revere’s grave and he’d still be untouchable here!) I could pull out stuff on EVERY city in this country if we can just pull from old history. As screwed up as it is, this country didn’t pull its head out of its butt and really start to act right until the 60’s and it’s still a process, but let’s not act like Boston is a huge problem from some crap that went on 4 decades and no where else has ever had any problems.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@Celts fan, Gee and YoungFed
That boy Noah from the bulls just got busted wit Marijuana yo, this cat been in trouble all year. I wonder what they could get for him? As far as trading him.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:53 am
djKianoosh says:
@Drew #21, I wish there was a site/mag like Dime for Football & Soccer, too. There’s just nothing like it.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:02 am
SPURS IN SIX says:
Tom Brady pissed on Paul Revere’s grave???
That boy is a straight-up FREAK!
May 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
DaPro says:
Ugly game yesterday but Detriot really played well but Boston was still in the game til the last few minutes.
When Ray missed two free throws, I knew the game was over. Boston takes game 5 and the series is still going 7
May 27th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Celts Fan says:
Neat Spurs, thanks for that… anyway, that concludes my public service announcement for the day.
Noah’s an idiot, just terrible judgment (if you’re going to have tree, don’t be walking around w/ an open container or vice versa.) Do you guys notice that when the young guys get in trouble, it tends to be on their old college campus. That stuff could fly when you were just a college kid that played ball for the school. Once you’re a millionaire, all eyes are on you even more and they’re all waiting for you to screw up (even if his profile may actually be a bit lower as a role player in the NBA compared to a poster boy for his 2 time champion college team.) Plus, I’m sure the college/local police are willing to look the other way for a guy that still plays for the team but as soon as he’s done being able to help, it’s back to being just another guy… Having said that, the Bulls will regret trading him if they do, and if they do, I’d kill for the Celtics to make a run at him. KG would LOVE his passion and 7 footers with that energy, athleticism, and ability to hit the boards/block shots aren’t very easy to find.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Juanito says:
Noah likes to smoke weed? No way…I NEVER would have guessed that lol
May 27th, 2008 at 10:47 am
BxBaller says:
Man does anybody know whats going on with Ray Ray, watching him is becoming brutal. Regarding the Noah situation, sounds like the cops were being real pricks.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Dennis Castro says:
Mason used to annoy me, but I can’t front, he does a good job of getting the crowd into it. Every team would love to have him as their announcer.
Now that San Antonio announcer is ANNOYING. Dude sounds like he hasn’t hit puberty yet.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Jules says:
If the Bulls traded Noah for having one joint on him, they’re even dumber than I thought.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Jeffrey says:
That video is corny as hell!!! Other than d-wade on shaq, I didn’t know who was on that team
May 27th, 2008 at 11:09 am
girlybballluver says:
@ #11…If Boozer comes to Miami it would be great for us, provided he doesn’t suddenly suck like he did in this years playoffs.
@ #13…I know I don’t care about the ecf, I haven’t watched a single game yet. You can tell by the low # of posts here after each game, that not too many ppl care except celtic, and detroit fans.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:31 am
DaPro says:
Noah wouldn’t get traded because of one blunt
He comes off the wrong way, he plays with passion but he talks alot of shit for someone who hasn’t done a damn thing in the pros
I luv his energy and passion but he can’t act like a 10 year veteran in year 2
May 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@Dapro
That’s the point I was getting at. You hit the nail on the head. He just talks to much!!
Dude isn’t a vet, he’s a rookie, and he should just be trying to learn the game.
I personally don’t think Noah’s going to be that good. He’ll be an okay bench player, but that’s about it.
If he worked on that crappy looking jumper instead of blowing trees, he’d be a much much much better player.
Passion and hustle don’t mean nothing to me
Rudy had passion and hustle, but dude still sucked!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Celts Fan says:
“Rudy had passion and hustle, but dude still sucked!!!” That’s a great line.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Celts Fan says:
Great post on Celtics blog The Shamrock Headband on Doc’s coaching. Great read if you’re a Celtics fan:
http://shamrockheadband.blogspot.com/
May 27th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
. says:
.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
GEE...stand in the place where you live..now face north says:
man crap! What is going on with these playoffs.
I ain’t gone front with the exception of watching to see what Kobe gone do and Fisher play D …still better D than Tony, playoffs getting kinda stale right now. Granted if you a fan of any 4 teams it’s prolly not but dang.
Where are the ejections, techs, trash talk, intensity, fights, hard fouls and last second shots. Just not seein nearly as much of that as I thought I was.
Seriously I would have lost money thinking that someone on Boston and Detroit wouldn’t be scrappin by now. I most def. thought there would be some hard fouls and just that heat ya know??
Anyway didn’t even hardly watch last night but I feel like Boston don’t care cause they got home advantage back and you know how they do. They can play till that 7th game and still win out just protecting home now.
I been defending D. Fisher kinda hard, but I am not a Lakers fan, just making that clear. Out the four left I want Boston to win first, then Lakers, then Detroit and anyone else except San An. LOL.
Yea yea before you San An. fans get it in, I know ..when does Houston tip off tonight..whateva lol.
Chuck Noah was to hyper for me in Fl and now it’s still the same in the L. Dude hustles I will give him that, but for the distractions he is on a team ..yes distractionssss..Chi need to bounce dude. For who ..I don’t know but he ain’t worth the reward compared to risk.
If he was a 20 -10 I could see it, but for what he is. I think they better let him go..looks like another weed tko.
Whatever happen to Alla Albdelnaby..I know I spelled that wrong lol.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
doc says:
Noah can come to Philly anytime we could use a baller like that.And we dont trip on the Weed.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
knocks says:
First of all, I agree Dime: that pre-game intros need to be shown on more games. I haven’t seen much, but I was kinda in awe watching the Detroit one in Game 3….but the EXACT thing in Game 4….it might get old. Might.
That dude Mason, though. He is entertaining. And I don’t even like Detroit. That “DEEETROIT BAAAASKETBALL” is a lot less annoying than that Ric Flair sound that the Hornets were putting up everytime Chris Paul made a layup….or got a steal…..or dropped a dime….”WHOOOOOOOOO!” I started cheering against N.O. just because of that.
For Drew and his random question. I’ve seen a daily blog type thing at ESPN that’s sort of like this SMACK thing. I don’t read it though…For one, it’s not close to being as entertaining as SMACK (here that, Dime?). Secondly, ESPN came out with that column after Dime did and you wanna know the title?? Get this: Daily Dime (or something like that).
Lastly, it wasn’t really mentioned here, but did any of you check out that editorial column by that LeBatard guy in ESPN mag? He’s a big Celtics fan and was talking about how KG has underachieved. At first, I was thinking that this guy is full of it…After all, I’ve grown to be a KG fan over the last couple of years.
But watching Game 4 last night, I’m thinking, “Dude is right.” KG might bring one-of-a-kind intensity and all of the “intangibles” that everyone likes to talk about nowadays. But dude just does not take the big shot…he disappears so often. Yah, it might be because he’s part of the “Big 3″, but you’d figure he’d step up and get a little more aggressive when 1 of the 3 can’t buy a bucket.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Tim says:
Pistons won’t get the the Ship if Billups keeps playing crappy…I’m hoping the momentum they created in the last 2 minutes carries over to the next game…Even Jarvis Hayes hit a shot…and Maxiell needs more time on the court…I think Pistons win game 5 and game 6…provided Billups and Prince can hit at least 40% each on their shots.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
doc says:
Mason the shit, he keeps the game exciting for fuckers not paying attention in stands.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
for real says:
Joey Donaghy, I mean Joey Crawford, just FUCKED THE SPURS
May 28th, 2008 at 12:02 am
for real says:
feel free to log on to http://www.spursgotfuckedbyjoey.com for in depth repentance
May 28th, 2008 at 12:49 am
GEE...cause I explode & my 9 is easy to load says:
again everyoooooooooooone else can take, have and keep Parker. i will take fisher and smart (you can call it what you want) D all day. Manu and Brent called it smart D and pop even says its a no call in his view. You can b great offensively but you nullify yaself if you dont play D. Parker is fortunate Derek concentrates on d and playing smart more than just lookin to score cause Parker would let him get 15 to 20 easy and it would really be a wrap.
who was it that said that ish about takin fisher over parker?
I think it was GEE who said it.
Yea GEE said that silly ish.
. . . .yep GEE said it. tomorrow im serving crow.