2nd Round Game 3 - At Chicago May 10 9PM

tv: ESPN

Series moves to Chicago.

Positives coming into this game ( for Detroit):

1) Rasheed should definitely be motivated to put a hurting on the Bulls after being limited to 18 minutes because of foul trouble in game 2.

2) I have a feeling Skiles and the Bulls tried to spring their biggest adjustments on the Pistons in game 2 in an effort to get the split in Detroit. Now the Pistons have 3 days to deal with what they saw and be better prepared for it.

3) The Bulls did some pretty good things in game 2 offensively and defensively, yet they still lost by 20 points. If you were to tell me that the Pistons turned the ball over 9 more times than Chicago, made 21 less free throws, and Rasheed would foul out in 18 minutes while Webber, Mcdyess and Maxiell would have 5 a piece in 26, 25, and 15 minutes of play....
I'd ask you how much the Pistons lost by.

Yet they win by 20? That kind of dominance is only obtained when you are simply dealing with a far better team.


If the Pistons come out with the same intensity and focus for game 3 that they displayed in games 1 & 2, which I have no reason to believe they won't, the final pages of this game thread should be discussing a Piston team that has a 3-0 series lead.

Reading the Bulls blog comments it seems like the fans have already given up on the series.

(blogabull.com)


So this game 3 is like the often mentioned by Doug Collins game 3 against the Cavs last year. I would guess that a lot of us aren't completely comfortable with the Piston's dominance....Game 3 is the decisive game.

Game 3 is the game where teams who are blown out in the first two come out to play for pride. It's their best shot at winning a game and at least making it appear they are back in the series. Expect the Bulls best effort in this one. IF we bring ours they don't stand a chance. Based on what I've seen so far, the Pistons get the benefit of the doubt that they will bring it.

Oh yeah, gotta give Flip Sr. his props. If they were playing like zombies most of us would call for his head, but he is pushing the right buttons and the guys are motivated so I think he deserves some credit here.

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That's right Darth....all of us Flip doubters are going to have to jump to the other side of the fence.

The Bulls only hope is to take back the rebounding edge which the Pistons are dominating right now. If Rip is outrebounding Ben, no way the Bulls are winning a game. Skiles used just about every conventional tool in his arsenal, but he's the type of coach who will go off the wall, and not worry about hurting his starters' feelings. I wouldn't be surprised if Sefelosha and Thomas start or play big minutes in Game 3.

And I'll leave the Flip Doubter side of the fence when he wins this series, but I'm still sitting on it until we go to the finals.

For sure...it's tacos for everyone if Flip sweeps this series. But if they falter and stumble like they did against the Cav's and just barely win...it's still no tacos as far as I'm concerned.

I agree. I'm definitely still on the fence, but I was leaning toward the "fire him" side earlier this season. Now, I'm leaning back the way I was when we first got him. Call me fickle, I guess.

Show me!

Dont feel bad Darth I had it in for Flip also, you aren't the only one wafflling a bit. I think we all are right now, lmao.

We all want whats best for the team. Flip was not my ideal choice but he has been doing a great job all season and a superb job so far in the post-season.

This is the pivital game. Is it a series or not?

2004 2nd round NJ series. Pistons had just blown out NJ twice at home and were heading to NJ with all the talk of a sweep. Series over, Nets cannot compete, Nets cannot win 4 out of 5. Three games later saw the 04 Pistons fighting for survial in a must win game 6 in NJ to force a game 7.

Lets hope that part of history does not repeat itself. Thank god there is no Darvin Ham at least to blow a game in OT ( if it ever comes to that ).

Pistons can pull this one out. This years core is the best Pistons road team we have seen. As long as the zebras don't sattle Sheed or Billups or anyone with early foul trouble then this should be more of the same with the Pistons getting the win.