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Surprise, surprise! With their 95-75 victory over the Pistons in Game 3, Philadelphia, not Detroit, has played like the second best team in the Eastern Conference. As is the case in nearly all big games, the difference starts at the point of attack.
When Detroit trusted their offense and executed, they had complete success. In fact, after a Rip Hamilton jumper early in the second half, the Pistons were shooting 60% for the game. Hamilton (9-18 FG, 23 PTS) was getting open off screens and curls, while Tayshaun Prince (8-9 FG, 18 PTS) was hitting jumpers and floaters at will.
However, Despite Flip Saunders’ offense putting all the pieces in the right part, Chauncey Billups (2-11 FG, 4 AST, 3 TO 11 PTS) couldn’t put the ball where it needed to be. He never attacked screens with the ball, his passes were lazy, and his attitude was nonchalant at best. And that attitude spilled over to his teammates.
Consider:
* Prince and Hamilton making careless entry passes.
* Hamilton being called for a palming violation well behind the three-point arc.
* Hamilton inbounding the ball and having it stolen by Jason Smith.
* Rodney Stuckey carelessly looked over to Saunders for a play call while leaving the ball exposed, allowing Andre Miller to snipe in and knock the ball off Stuckey’s leg for a turnover.
* Rasheed Wallace tried to execute a mechanical spin move in the post but Reggie Evans reached around and poked it away igniting a break.
* With no defender in the back court, Jarvis Hayes threw in outlet pass to Billups but Billups tried to run before catching it and the ball went out of bounds.
* The Pistons turned the ball over 23 times, which the Sixers converted into 29 points.
* Limited continuity led to Detroit’s shooting 8-35 in the second half.
Flat out embarrassing basketball.
Every pass Detroit tried to make was met with upright hands from the Sixers. Every single pass was challenged, a crucial factor for Philly’s defensive success. Credit the Sixers for playing with the requisite energy and hustle required to win playoff games on the road, and shame on the Pistons for sleepwalking through the entire affair.
Did Detroit do anything right?
* Tayshaun Prince locked up Andre Iguodala in the halfcourt—2-9 FG, 6 TO.
* Rasheed Wallace, Jason Maxiell, and Theo Ratliff made several exemplary rotations—seven blocks combined.
* Antonio McDyess posted Dalembert and hit an easy layup. Why wasn’t that play repeated?
Meanwhile, Philly’s point-man set the tone for the Sixers.
Consider,
* Whenever a long jumper was missed or Philly recorded a forced turnover, it was off-to-the races where Miller’s speed and decision making on the break was flawless.
* Whenever the Sixers offense was forced into a halfcourt affair, Miller comfortably got the Sixers into an offensive set they could run.
* Miller made several pull-up jumpers on the break when the Pistons ran straight to the hoop to prevent easy layups.
* Miller made several pull-up jumpers off of screen/rolls when the Sixers needed a hoop.
* And the prime example as to why Miller is the best player on Philly came late in the first quarter after Detroit had survived a mini spurt to tie the game. Mo Cheeks called on Miller to go into the post against Billups, where Miller hit a tough turnaround jumper and later drew a foul against Billups’ sturdy defense.
* For the game, Miller went 3-4 and drew a foul in his ventures in the pivot, and his reliable point-producing took the pressure off of his young teammates.
And of those teammates, nearly all of them turned in tremendous performances.
* Samuel Dalembert came over from the weak side to swat away two layup attempts, while altering several more. Whereas Dalembert was challenged directly in Game 2, he was allowed to be strictly a help defender in Game3, playing right into his strengths.
* The Dalembeast out hustled every Piston around the glass (16 REB) and hit enough of his dunks, putbacks, and 18-footers (8-14 FG, 22 PTS) to be an offensive factor.
* Reggie Evans (2-6 FG, 5 REB, 2 STL, 9 PTS) never stopped hustling.
* Thaddeus Young played like an inspired veteran (4-6 FG, 10 PTS).
* Lou Williams (4-11 FG, 3 AST, 9 PTS) was to quick for the Pistons guards to handle.
Mo Cheeks had his squad playing with maximum intensity and urgency from start to finish. Give him a gold star for always cheering on his troops and getting them to believe that a little hustle and energy indeed does go along way.
Former GM, Billy King also deserves major credit for dealing away the beloved reckless, self-centered, ball-oriented Allen Iverson for the always underrated Andre Miller.
Is it not a surprise that with Iverson’s toxic attitude no longer polluting, Philadelphia’s players have been able to grow, make mistakes, and learn the game?
Is it any surprise that with Iverson no longer around, the Sixers have become a model of discipline and non-stop hustle?
And is it any surprise that instead of bailing when things are going down, Miller has kept his troops excited and upbeat?
Is it any surprise that a smart, talented, ever-scrapping team is ahead two games to one in the first round of the playoffs?
Erick Blasco is basketball writer for OTR Basketball
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