12-25-2005, 11:19 AM
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 | Contributor | | Last Online: 03-04-2007 07:26 PM Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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| December 25th - Merry Christmas PF.com!
~ Detroit News ~
Pistons, Spurs meet again They aren't in ABC's main event, but teams bring NBA's best records into the Finals rematch.
By Chris McCosky On one hand, the Pistons are well aware of where this game fits into the big picture. "We know you can't win a championship in December," Ben Wallace said. "We've been there before." On the other hand, it's the kind of challenge for which these players live. "I know I am looking forward to it because they are the 'other' best team in the league," Chauncey Billups said. "Of course, you want to play against the best. We've gotten off to a great start, and so have they." Pistons vs. Spurs. It might be the 'B' game on ABC's docket -- the Lakers-Heat game is at the top of its Christmas Day marquee -- but it's a matchup of the two best teams in the NBA right now (the 21-3 Pistons vs. the 21-6 Spurs), a matchup of the last two NBA champions, a rematch of last season's NBA Finals and possibly a preview of this year's Finals. ~ Booth Newspapers ~
Pistons, Spurs game overshadowed by Heat, Lakers melodrama By A. Sherrod Blakely Just imagine boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, in their prime, being the undercard to a couple of underachieving light heavyweights. That's what the NBA's two best teams, the Detroit Pistons (21-3) and the San Antonio Spurs (20-6), are dealing with today. Despite their having played in the NBA Finals last season, and coming into today's game with the best records in the NBA, most of the attention leading up to today's nationally televised doubleheader has been on the game that pits the Miami Heat (15-12) against the Los Angeles Lakers (15-11). ~ San Antonio Express News ~
Spurs-Pistons as compelling as it gets By Mike Monroe
The Spurs and Pistons match up today on national network TV as ABC kicks off its coverage of the 2005-06 season, so expect to see lots of replays of the key plays of Game 7 of the 2005 NBA Finals, plus a few of Robert Horry's game-winning 3-pointer in Game 5. The Pistons have the best record in the league, the Spurs the best record in the West. Most everyone who really understands what it takes to win in the playoffs anticipates a rematch in the 2006 NBA Finals. In fact, a rematch next June may be only the start of something bigger. Check the Spurs' and Pistons' rosters and what ought to strike you is the fact nearly all the key players are locked up at least through the 2007-08 seasons. One notable exception is Ben Wallace, but he already has hinted he doesn't intend on going anywhere else when he becomes a free agent this summer. A less notable exception is Nazr Mohammed, who occasionally has looked replaceable through the first 27 games of the Spurs' season. Spurs (21-6) at Pistons (21-3) Spurs scouting report: The Spurs have lost four of their past five games at the Palace of Auburn Hills, including the playoffs ... Four of the Spurs' past five opponents have shot at least 45 percent ... Tim Duncan is shooting 58.5 percent in the past three games ... Rasho Nesterovic has made 16 of 24 shots the past four games ... Bruce Bowen has made at least one 3-pointer in 17 consecutive games. Spurs injuries: Manu Ginobili (sprained right mid foot) is out. Spurs projected inactive list: Ginobili. Pistons scouting report: Detroit has won six consecutive games after beating Golden State 97-85 Friday night ... The Pistons have become a more prolific offensive team under new coach Flip Saunders. Their scoring, field-goal percentage, assists, free-throw percentage and 3-point percentage have all improved from last season ... Detroit is 8-1 at home, averaging 108.2 points while holding its opponents to 93.2 per game. Injuries: Lindsey Hunter (left ankle surgery) is out. Projected inactive list: Hunter, Alex Acker and Amir Johnson Spurs return to Palace of dreams
By Johnny Ludden
As the din in the Palace of Auburn Hills began to peak, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich shooed Robert Horry onto the court with one order: Let fly.
The Detroit Pistons had already evened the NBA Finals at two games apiece, and were now poised to take control of Game 5. Midway through the third quarter, they had begun to methodically erase the Spurs' seven-point lead. Horry had spent most of the first eight minutes of the second half sitting on the sideline. His first-half performance had consisted of two turnovers, an errant hook shot, a layup swatted away by Pistons center Ben Wallace and another blown point-blank attempt. |