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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Sayson: Pistons’ loss to Miami, just a hiccup
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO — When leading by at least 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Detroit Pistons are money, a very solvent 85-0 to be exact. It’s a magnificent streak that dates back to the Larry Brown era, when these modern-day Bad Boys first discovered their poise and greatness.
Last Sunday afternoon at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, the Pistons held an 84-71 spread over the Heat after three quarters of play. Given their immaculate reputation when it comes to safeguarding end-game leads, I couldn’t help but look at Shaq and company as dead men dribbling.
But Dwayne Wade wasn’t about to be a willing participant in furthering Pistons lore. And so the Heat sentinel did the unthinkable. He scored 17 consecutive points in the final 4:27 of play, a sort of Michael Jordan moment that stunned the Pistons, and pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat, 100-98.
Prior to Wade’s game-saving heroics, the Heat were 0-6 this season against heavyweights Detroit, Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix. The win therefore, was a confidence-booster, one that hoists Miami back to its rightful place among the NBA elite.
Still, beating Detroit didn’t turn the Heat into Pistons. Hey, when some dude shoots a crazy round of golf and upsets Tiger Woods, it doesn’t necessarily make that dude the No.1 golfer in the world.
I’m shamelessly pro-Shaq. And God knows, I’m an unrepentant Heat fan. But I still listen to what logic has whispered all along — Detroit remains as the team to beat in the East.
Why?
Because they are 40-9. They have too many weapons, eight-deep and healthy and cohesive. And most importantly, they will have homecourt advantage against any team in the East in the playoffs.
Wade finished with 37 points. But I can promise you that come playoffs time, the Pistons will drip blood before they’ll surrender that many. And hell will freeze before Detroit will allow Wade to rattle off 17 straight points.
When Wade’s offense simmers to a boil in the postseason, the Pistons will be more physical on him. They’d still probably assign the lanky Tayshaun Prince on Wade, but next time around, Prince will get plenty of help as Detroit seeks to blanket the slippery heat guard with multiple coverage.
Shaq had 31 points and eight rebounds last Sunday. He will get that many against Detroit anytime, the playoffs included.
That’s how good Shaq Daddy is.
But in late May, when Detroit faces Miami in the East Conference finals, the Pistons will be ready. They’ll make Shaq work by attacking him on the offense and fish some fouls. They will deny his spot in the post, let Ben Wallace play macho man against the 7-foot giant. And very likely, Detroit will make Shaq shoot a lot of free throws.
The truth of the matter is, even after losing to the Heat last Sunday, the stats showed that the Pistons were indeed the better team.
Detroit went 36-of-76 from the field (47.4 percent), 11-of-20 from three-point range (55 percent) and 15-of-18 from the stripe. Miami was just 42-of-90 from the field (46.7 percent), 15-of-21 from the stripe (71.4 percent), and the Heat were dreadful beyond the arc, 1-of-12 (8 percent).
Naturally, the Heat rejoiced after beating their bitter rivals. But when they reviewed the game film and perused through the numbers the day after, Shaq and Wade and the rest of the Heat know that they just got lucky.
As for Detroit? Well, scoring 98 against Miami’s 100 is clearly a loss. A stinging one at that. But the Pistons know too well that this bend in the road didn’t take away from the fact that they still are the beasts in the East.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 15, 2006 issue)
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