...we just might have a Finals series on our hands. To be honest I didn't think the change of venue was going to change all that much as evidenced by my Game 3 pick. I figured Detroit would be energized by the fans and the roster show and break out of the first quarter but I thought the Spurs would weather the rush and proceed to wear them down.
Like I said I had a good idea that Detroit would break out, but I *never* thought Ben Wallace would explode for 5 blocks and 7 points in a little over 6 minutes of play. The very first play of the game, Ben Wallace steals the inbounds play, dribbles the length of the court, and Jams it home. That energized all of Detroit, the determination in Rasheed, Rip, and Tayshaun was palpable. They were quicker to the looseballs, quicker to the closeouts, quicker to the spot to draw the offensive foul. A hand on every ball, running on every defensive rebound. The Pistons were playing with such intensity, one almost didn't notice that the Spurs were still in the lead through most of the first half. I don't know about any Pistons fans out there, but *that* should be a very scary thing.
With phenomenal outside shooting (Bowen and Barry) and second chance points, the Spurs were ahead for a long while and managed to keep it close until the end of the third quarter. About that time, Chauncey decided to re-aquaint himself with the three point line and went on to sink three long balls in the last 14 or so minutes of the game. Rip's shot started to fall, although the guy can't finish the gimmie's. Massive credit goes to Bruce Bowen, that guy is unyielding. Tayshaun Prince had some much needed dunks in transition, but he is struggling mightily from the outside. The aggressive trap in the baseline the Spurs are doing are messing with him worst than anyone else for Detroit. McDyess contributed some shots in the fourth to keep it out of reach; when you don't fade on every attempt, it does wonders for your percentage. Fronting Duncan seemed to bother him, although I think better spacing and precise passing will solve that issue. When Ginobili and Horry's fourth quarter attempts from long range didn't fall, that was all she wrote. Props to Ben for getting it started, Rasheed and Rip for sustaining, and Chauncey for closing it out.
Scary moment when Ginobili went out in the first with a knee twink. I'm glad he made it back and it didn't seem to affect him. That would have been horrible, Manu and Tayshaun are my favorite players in this series.
From a baskeball fan's point of view, it was a fun game to watch, and more of what I had expected from this series.
