The way I read them it sounded suspiciously like Flip was spinning excuses in case they fall out of first. He might honestly hold that opinion, but it contradicts what the Pistons players have said all season long, and I don't believe a word Flip says unless there's independent confirmation.

And there is no way that not having HCA is beneficial. HCA really means nothing more than that a Game 7 will be played at your building, and I'll take Game 7 against the Spurs at the Palace over Whatever-phone-company-owns-it-now Center in Texas any day.