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Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[IMG]http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/logos/pistons_100.gif[/IMG] [SIZE="4"][B]vs. [/B][/SIZE][IMG]http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/logos/magic_100.gif[/IMG]
Detroit Pistons (59-23) vs. Orlando Magic (52-30)
vs
Game 1 - Saturday 7:30 EST @ Detroit
Game 2 - TBD
Game 3 - TBD
Game 4 - TBD
Game 5 - TBD
Game 6 - TBD
Game 7 - TBD
REGULAR SEASON SERIES
Tied 2-2
Nov. 2: Pistons 116 @ Orlando 92
Jan. 21: Pistons 100 @ Orlando 102
Jan. 25: Orlando 93 @ Pistons 101
Feb. 19: Orlando 103 @ Pistons 85
Magic at Pistons. Rematch of last years first round, but this year the Magic are stronger, while Detroit has improved their bench play.
Who you got in the series, who you got in game 1?
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Hopefully Pistons stay focused and handle business in game 1.
I say Pistons in 6, but about game 1 no idea.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
This will be a tough match-up for the Pistons,the Magic are a very talented team,hungry to prove the critics wrong in the play-offs.Not to mention they have a beast at C who is a 20-20 guy on any given night.If the Pistons can control the perimeter defense I think they take the series in 6.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
These last couple philly games have woken detroit up. I dont expect them to sleepwalk into these games like they did against philly.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
I think we might just see a bit of hack-a-Howard in this one, after everyone saw it's use to halt momentum in Suns-Spurs. Even without that, I believe the Pistons will come out on top with their solid experience and teamwork. Also, their bench really impresses me.
But the Magic definitely have a shot - Dwight is playing out of his mind. I read a quote from Stan Van Gundy a few days ago saying that Dwight usually jokes around and he has to get him to put on a serious face before games - but Dwight was dead serious the whole time for the Raptors-Magic series.
It's going to be an interesting matchup for sure, looking forward to it.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Projected Score: Pistons 97-76 Magic with Dwight Howard foul out mid in the 4th quarter.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=3stat2]I think we might just see a bit of hack-a-Howard in this one
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Miami in 2006.
Cleveland in 2007.
It's Orlando's turn in 2008.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
I really don't want to take anything away from the 76ers, but Detroit better wake up if they wish to keep advancing. The Pistons played very lackluster in the first round, assuming Philly would just roll over on them. I used to think the Pistons had more heart than any other team year-after-year, but I'm not so sure anymore.
In the next few years, the East will be on the rise. If Detroit wants to remain an Eastern powerhouse, they'll need to find a spark. There's no better time than right now in the midst of the post season.
Home court advantage isn't as strong for the Pistons as it used to be. The Magic seem to be playing solid on the road right now, so this should be a concern if you're a Pistons fan. They'll have a difficult time keeping Howard in check all four quarters.
I'm going to say whoever wins Game 1 of this series will win the series in 6 or 7 games. Honestly, I believe it could go either way. Orlando is young and hungry, while Detroit seems to be playing NBA grandpa right now. I'll say the Magic in 7.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=e-Thugstylez]
I'm going to say whoever wins Game 1 of this series will win the series in 6 or 7 games. Honestly, I believe it could go either way. Orlando is young and hungry, while Detroit seems to be playing NBA grandpa right now. I'll say the Magic in 7.[/QUOTE]
i don't get how you can call detroit NBA grandpas when they use their bench as much as any team and have prospects like stuckey, aflallo, maxiell, amir johnson in the rotation.
i think the aquisition of Theo Ratliff will prove very useful for the Pistons this round. he's a big body off the bench who can block shots and play tough D on Howard. should help keep sheed out of foul trouble.
I just think Detroit is too deep to lose this series. The Magic's frontcourt starters carry the team but I think a rotation of Dyess/Sheed/Maxiell/Ratliff is better. Chauncey has a mismatch against Jameer Nelson and so does Stuckey. Should be a big series for the guards of Detroit. The Magic really have no bench so even if we see 20/20 games from Howard I'll take the Pistons in 6 games.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Detroit? NBA grandpa? :oldlol: gtfo
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=e-Thugstylez]I really don't want to take anything away from the 76ers, but Detroit better wake up if they wish to keep advancing. The Pistons played very lackluster in the first round, assuming Philly would just roll over on them. I used to think the Pistons had more heart than any other team year-after-year, but I'm not so sure anymore.
In the next few years, the East will be on the rise. If Detroit wants to remain an Eastern powerhouse, they'll need to find a spark. There's no better time than right now in the midst of the post season.
Home court advantage isn't as strong for the Pistons as it used to be. The Magic seem to be playing solid on the road right now, so this should be a concern if you're a Pistons fan. They'll have a difficult time keeping Howard in check all four quarters.
I'm going to say whoever wins Game 1 of this series will win the series in 6 or 7 games. Honestly, I believe it could go either way. Orlando is young and hungry, while Detroit seems to be playing NBA grandpa right now. I'll say the Magic in 7.[/QUOTE]
HeHe...did somebody just wake you up from a long sleep Rip?
You should have watched the games during the year, and the Detroit/Philly series, after game three?
1. Orlando has been good on the road all year?
2. Detroit has not played lackluster after the 3rd game of the series?
3. The Pistons have a great home record this year?
4. They don't need to keep Howard in check for 4 quaters...only slow him down a little. He is not the Orlando key, in this series...turkey-glue is.
Pistons in 7
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]i don't get how you can call detroit NBA grandpas when they use their bench as much as any team and have prospects like stuckey, aflallo, maxiell, amir johnson in the rotation.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=kidachi]Detroit? NBA grandpa? :oldlol: gtfo[/QUOTE]
They haters are coming out guys.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Sonic R]They haters are coming out guys.[/QUOTE]
i don't think its hate so much as ignorance. unless u watched the pistons regularly you might not be aware of the youth movement joe dumars is orchestrating. he's doing a great job of building for the future while keeping us in championship contention. recognizing potential in players like stuckey, aflallo, maxiell, amir johnson and surrounding them with veteran mentors seems to be a knack for joe d. the guy always seems to pick out steals in the late first and early second rounds. also a great move this season to dump Nazr Mohammed's contract and pick up Walter Herrman who could make the rotation next year or be used as trade bait.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Well, not that i dislike the pistons, but i'm a jameer nelson fan. Hopefully the magic can pull it out in 6 or 7, but they are going to need to win game 1 to do that
magic in 7 is my prediction
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]i don't think its hate so much as ignorance. unless u watched the pistons regularly you might not be aware of the youth movement joe dumars is orchestrating. he's doing a great job of building for the future while keeping us in championship contention. recognizing potential in players like stuckey, aflallo, maxiell, amir johnson and surrounding them with veteran mentors seems to be a knack for joe d. the guy always seems to pick out steals in the late first and early second rounds. also a great move this season to dump Nazr Mohammed's contract and pick up Walter Herrman who could make the rotation next year or be used as trade bait.[/QUOTE]
yeah. I liked Joe D's transactions too. they're perfect.
I hope to see Cheikh Samb and Hermann on the rotation.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=sixerfan82]but i'm a jameer nelson fan[/QUOTE]
I think Jameer will get abused. He's what... maybe 5'11 with shoes? He can't defend against 6'5 PGs like Chauncey and Rodney. In order to be effective for the Magic he's got to be hitting that 3 ball regularly or really be distributing well like he has at times this season.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]I think Jameer will get abused. He's what... maybe 5'11 with shoes? He can't defend against 6'5 PGs like Chauncey and Rodney....[/QUOTE]Nor can they stay in front of him.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Dwight Howard and the gang are too energetic and passionate right now, If the piston come in with that same atitude the did against philli there out in 5.
and rasheed vs Howard with the lazy approach sheed has ben playing wit since larry brown left howard will destroy him.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
This series will be decided by how the Magic Handle Rasheed. He will be posting up Rashard and Hedo regularly, and this series comes down to how the Magic help, how quickly they recover, and if Detroit can start shooting better.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Dwight20Twenty]Nor can they stay in front of him.[/QUOTE]
for real? have you watched these two teams play eachother? nelson can't hurt the pistons he's a one dimensional shoot first pg who can't defend well. yes he's improved his PG skills a little since last season but a backcourt of nelson/bogans/arroyo/reddick or whoever you have can't compete with billups/hamilton/stuckey/aflallo.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Both these teams have proven they can win on the road, so don't be surprised if home court advantage means very little.
I especially like the forward matchups - Hedo and Lewis vs. Prince and Maxiell. I'd like to see Prince guard Lewis and Maxiell guard Hedo, because I think length vs. length and energy vs. energy is the best matchup for Detroit. If the Magic can find a way to crack these tenacious defenders, they could be the key to outscoring Detroit.
The guard matchups will be rough for Orlando, with Billups, Hamilton, and Stuckey all outsizing the Magic guards - Nelson, Dooling, and Evans (a former Piston). Detroit's guards should keep to a plan to outscore the Magic guards by 15-20 per game to win this series. It's their most obvious matchup, and it gives Detroit guards a focus and a reason to keep exploiting the matchup. Sometimes when the game gets too easy for Detroit guards, they don't keep the pressure up, and that could hurt them, even if they're technically winning the matchup.
Howard is a beast, but I'm not convinced that he has enough frontcourt help. Detroit could be most effective using Theo Ratliff along with Wallace on him, because the rest of Detroit's frontcourt is badly undersized - either by weight or height. I think aside from an occasional double on Hedo, Howard is the only Magic player that should see a double. Expect one of Orlando's lesser known bigs to have at least one big game (>10pts on layups in low minutes), much like Glen Davis of Boston did against Detroit earlier this season. Unknown players tend to have a huge role in Detroit losses.
I'm not sure where McDyess will fit in this series. I don't think he has the length or foot speed to effectively guard Lewis, nor the size to work on Howard. It might be a good idea to let him heal up for the first few games to see where exactly his role will be best used in this series.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
I think that there MIGHT be one game where the Pistons don't mentally show up. I think that they are going to realize that this team that they are about to face is worthy of their focus and undivided attention. If not, Orlando will be sure to remind them.
I think if Howard can get plenty of touches and get the Detroit bigs into foul trouble, that would be huge. Make crusty vets like Ratliff and some of the young bigs off the bench come out and have to prove themselves.
I think Turkoglu can have a HUGE series, esp. with the attention that Howard will draw in the paint.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
I think Ratliff can guard Howard man to man and Rasheed probably will for stretches too. Ratliff won't care about fouling out he plays maybe 20 minutes a game this series.
I'd rather hack Howard send him to the line than double him up leaving Rashard and Hedo open on the outside. McDyess should probably come off the bench this series because he doesn't match up very well against Lewis or Turkoglu. He can do some damage against the Magic's reserve bigs.
I think the main seperation between the teams here is depth. The Pistons have a lot more of it. Who is the Magic 6th man anyway? Brian Cook? Adonyl Foyle? Carlos Arroyo? What a joke... Magic fans meet Rodney Stuckey, Jarvis Hayes, Aaron Aflallo, McDyess/Maxiell... you're severely outmatched in terms of depth.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
T-Mac's Magic in '03 were responsible for jump-starting this Pistons run...choking after being up 3-1.
It would be pretty sweet if Dwight's Magic could shut them down for good 5 years after the fact.
If Detroit loses this series, I'd expect some major changes up there.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Patrick27]I especially like the forward matchups - Hedo and Lewis vs. Prince and Maxiell...[/QUOTE]Hedo & Lewis will most likely be guarding Rashard, not Prince & Maxiell.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]I'd rather hack Howard send him to the line than double him up leaving Rashard and Hedo open on the outside...[/QUOTE]I sure hope that happens since Dwight shoots 60% and the Pistons shoot 49%.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]I think the main seperation between the teams here is depth. The Pistons have a lot more of it. Who is the Magic 6th man anyway? Brian Cook? Adonyl Foyle? Carlos Arroyo? What a joke... Magic fans meet Rodney Stuckey, Jarvis Hayes, Aaron Aflallo, McDyess/Maxiell... you're severely outmatched in terms of depth.[/QUOTE]A championship rotation is 7 or 8. Not 10 or 12.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Patrick27]Howard is a beast, but I'm not convinced that he has enough frontcourt help...[/QUOTE]Dwight is the entire front court.
It's been that way all season. Dwight and four three point shooters.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Patrick27]I think aside from an occasional double on Hedo, Howard is the only Magic player that should see a double. [/QUOTE]The Magic rarely run isos for Hedo. We do for Rashard down low, depending on who's on him. If bigger guys are on him, expect him to go off from the 3 point line. If smaller guys are on him, expect the Magic to isolate him down low.
With respect to Hedo, the question is how Detroit will handle the high pick & roll with Dwight. If they switch, or roll with Dwight, expect Hedo to hit some open shots. If they trap or fight through, expect Dwight to have some dunks.[QUOTE=Patrick27] Expect one of Orlando's lesser known bigs to have at least one big game[/QUOTE] It is all but sure that won't happen. Dwight is the only big for all but a couple minutes at the beginning of the 2nd.
FYI, make your run during that time.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Dwight20Twenty]Hedo & [B]Lewis [/B]will most likely be guarding [B]Rashard[/B], not Prince & Maxiell.[/QUOTE]
Cool. Let him guard himself. I'm okay with that.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Dwight20Twenty]Dwight is the entire front court.
It's been that way all season. Dwight and four three point shooters.[/QUOTE]
Interesting. So when McDyess and Wallace are on the floor, who guards 'em? Lewis can't guard either Rasheed or McDyess, so I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit does everything they can to get Lewis in foul trouble. I expect to see some Foyle because Lewis shouldn't really be guarding a 4.
Cook's out for the season, right? I think I remember hearing that...
Just a general comment - you do seem to really know the Orlando game plan and rotations. I really look forward to discussing this with you during the series. You make some really good points.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Patrick27]Just a general comment - you do seem to really know the Orlando game plan and rotations. I really look forward to discussing this with you during the series. You make some really good points.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I live 5 minutes from the Amway, but I grew up in Mt. Morris, Michigan during the Bad Boys era. My wife and I have been huge Magic fans since TMac, and for me since Nick Anderson stole the ball from MJ at half court. :)[QUOTE=Patrick27]Interesting. So when McDyess and Wallace are on the floor, who guards 'em? Lewis can't guard either Rasheed or McDyess, so I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit does everything they can to get Lewis in foul trouble. I expect to see some Foyle because Lewis shouldn't really be guarding a 4.
Cook's out for the season, right? I think I remember hearing that...[/quote]If what the Magic have done so far all season and in the playoffs is any indication, you will never see 2 magic bigs on the floor at the same time. It is always Dwight with 4 three point shooters.
Dwight sits down for a few minutes to start the second only and is replaced by Foyle, or in the Toronto Season (i guess because of matchup problems and coach's newly awarded confidence) this new Polish rookie named Gortat. When Cook was on the floor, he was not really used as a big (his inside game is suspect), but just as another 3 point shooter that would force bigs out to the arc, leaving the paint even more wide open for Dwight.
If Detroit starts McDeyess & Rasheed, you will see Rashard on Rasheed (possibly Hedo), and Dwight on McDeyess. Dwight is the entire front line, they cannot afford for Sheed to take him all the way out to the 3 point line and abuse him while leaving the boards and the paint wide open. Dwight is the entire defense for the Magic. Again, Dwight and 4 three point shooters.
This is why I say handling Sheed in the low post is the key to this series, a big performance from Rashard and good help and fast recovery will be needed, especially if Detroit is shooting the ball well from the outside.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
I think we should consider starting Ratliff at C against Dwight he's probably our best man to man post defender and shotblocker. He would come out after his inevitable 2 fouls on Dwight and then Sheed would switch over to center.
How do you think Maxiell matches up against Turkoglu? Better than Dyess?
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
Just heard on 1130 that Detroit is going to stick with Maxiell in the starting line up with McDyess coming off the bench.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=Sonic R]Just heard on 1130 that Detroit is going to stick with Maxiell in the starting line up with McDyess coming off the bench.[/QUOTE]
Okay I like that. Maxiell probably has too much athleticism for Turkoglu to handle. I think Tayshaun is a better defender for Rashard but they can probably switch without much of an issue.
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Re: Round 2: Magic at Pistons, Game 1, Saturday, 7:30 ET
[QUOTE=final.wrath]Okay I like that. Maxiell probably has too much athleticism for Turkoglu to handle. I think Tayshaun is a better defender for Rashard but they can probably switch without much of an issue.[/QUOTE]
I think Turkoglu can get by Max...and not Tay....he's pretty quick?