I'm not sure this game is huge considering that the Heat need to win both games in Miami to maintain homecourt.

Needless to say, a win is needed, and nothing would be better than ripping out the hearts of the South Beach jet set.

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They are the archetype for dominance. They are the gatekeepers of the conference. They are the Detroit Pistons.

If we don't win then the Pistons go down 1-2 and have to win game 4 in Miami to avoid going down 1-3. For once I would like to see at least one non-must win game.

Big game. A win would take the pressure of making Game 4 a must win. Not to mention deflating the Heat a bit, their 1-0 start changing to 1-2.

I love it that the Pistons (especially Rip) are getting in Wade's head. I'm hoping we will continue to see the effects of that in turnovers.

If Tay outplays Antione and Posey we'll be in great position to win this game. If there is a player I'm hoping has a good game its chauncey because he needs his confidence beack. If he still plays crummy I'll go with one of the Wallaces to have a good game. If Sheed has a very good game on both ends that would be huge because he hasn't been able to do that with his ankle. If Ben has a great game he's cutting and making Shaq pay for not gaurding him. This also means he's forcing Shaq to hit jumphooks instead of dunks and he's boxing him out and not letting Shaq get on the offensive glass.

Prediction: 93-91 Pistons. (I was pretty close on my last prediction I hope i'm right again.)

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"That's the end, man." Rasheed Wallace

Important that we make the extra passes on offense. No standing around. Rip should come off screens and curl. No one on one. Tay should go iso when they have Walker or Posey on him. Ben should make cuts to the basket more. Dice should penetrate and drive to the basket when Zo is on him. Sheed should make Zo pay when he's guarding him.

On defense, what else but DETROIT BASKETBALL 'lock up' DEFENSE.

GO PISTONS!

The dreaded game 3.

In Miami.

Not conducive to a Pistons victory if we go by the past.

Then again, they have a history of doing the unexpected.

I predict a 12 to 15 point loss for our boys. It may be closer, but I see a loss, irregardless.

I think game 4 is the one we have a chance to win. Backs against the wall and all...you know the routine (but will we have gone to the well once too often)? That's why I think this one takes on greater importance.

I'm truly looking forward to everyone telling me how wrong I was if the Pistons win this one (a Piston victory will more than make up for any razzing).

I believe we have the better team, but I'm not convinced we've fixed whatever it was that has been tormenting us these last couple of weeks.

I'll be at work so ESPN is unavailable, but I'll be sneaking off to find a computer and checking the scores.

Go Pistons!

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There is a lot of questions going into this game. 2 big ones are on the Miami Heat's supporting cast and on which Pistons will show up. If Chauncey starts out well I think the team will do well. Come on CB.

Leaving Miami 2 all should be good enough. Then it becomes a best of 3 with us getting 2 at home.
I wouldn't complain if we left there 3-1.

Darth - I wish I could say you are wrong. Given our team and how they usually play when they have breathing room in a series I can also see us blowing this one and going back behind the 8-ball.

I hope it does not happen. I hope the team met and decided that they are going to play the same way they did in the 1st 3 quarters of game 3 with lockdown D and sharing the ball on offense.