Celtics-Pistons Redux: Boston Seeks Revenge in Detroit

As we all predicted, the first game between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference came down to the last possession. 

Paul Pierce had a chance to win the game and missed, giving the Pistons the last shot. 

Doc Rivers decided that Tony Allen was the best bet to stop Chauncey Billups. 

A pump fake (that everyone knew was coming) and an Allen foul (that sadly, everyone also knew was coming) later, and Billups was sinking the game-winning free throws. 

Round One, Pistons.

Round Two is tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Tonight’s game is as good as it gets in January in the NBA. The Celtics and Pistons are a combined 54-10. The Celtics have won eight straight games; the Pistons have won 11 straight.

Something has to give...

What the Celtics have to do to win the rematch

1) On the final possession, James Posey covers Chauncey Billups.  Tony Allen cheers him on from the bench. 

If Doc looks towards Allen again, Kevin Garnett should pull a Jonathon "Mox" Moxon from Varsity Blues, pretend Doc is the mascot, and "accidentally" take him out with an "errant" pass.

2) The Celtics need to keep Rajon Rondo out of foul trouble. 

Rondo is critical to the Celtics offense against good defensive teams that can press.  Eddie House and Tony Allen are nice players, but they can’t bring the ball up the court against pressure. The Pistons know this. 

3)  The Celtics need to defend the perimeter. 

The Pistons hit nine three-pointers in the first game.  They had issues getting inside on the Celtics’ bigs, but had no trouble at all getting open looks on the outside. 

The Celtics need to get hands in the faces of the Pistons’ perimeter shooters.

4)  The Celtics need to dictate matchups. 

Paul Pierce can score on Tayshaun Prince. Kevin Garnett is a much better player than Rasheed Wallace. Ray Allen can get his shots against Rip Hamilton.  The only decided advantage the Pistons have is Billups against Rondo. 

The Celtics need to take advantage of the good matchups and do a better job of staying away from the bad ones.

Who’s better?

Until the Celtics (or someone else) knock them off, the Pistons should be considered the best team in the East—no doubt, no argument. 

But man for man? Outside of point guard, the Celtics are either evenly matched or just plain better at every starting position.

So why do the “experts” think the Pistons are a better team?

The arguments I hear most are experience and depth.

Can’t argue the experience factor. The Pistons have been there and done that. They’ve played big games; they’ve won big games. 

As for depth, though, it’s a myth. A fallacy. An untruth.

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