| Re: PF.com-HVC Pistons vs. Magic Playoff Preview
Bench
Dba
The Magic have no answer for McDyess off the bench. The only real question of interest is how many shots he will hit before missing – smart money is on at least seven. Battie and Ariza can hurt if the Pistons get lackadaisical. If the Pistons block out and play defense neither will have much of an impact. Arroyo is turning the ball over more with fewer assists than in Detroit.
Roscoe36
The Alternatorz vs. the Mouseketeers. You gotta watch out for Trevor Ariza because he chases the ball like a narcotics canine sniffing a crotch full of angel dust. While Delfino will be overmatched by the energy and explosiveness of Orlando’s pitbull, Jason Maxiell will eat Ariza, Arroyo and still have room for Pat Garrity. The Magii have no answer for Antonio McDyess, Flip Murray or Lindsey Hunter. It would be cruelty if the Pistons let Amir Johnson play. He’s better than anyone on the Orlando bench.
Lazyberbs
The best matchups as I see them would be Bogans/Billups; Ariza/Hamilton; Hill/Prince; Dwight/Sheed; Turk/Webber, but of course that will never happen. The bench play would be close, I think, if Orlando used this linup. They would have Jameer against Flip, Jr, Darko against Dyce, JJ against Delfino, Arroyo and Deyon, and like that. I know that Darko has been playing very soft against the Pistons and I can’t figure why. But now, he is further hampered by the foot. I don’t think he will be much of a factor unless he snaps out of his funk against his old mates.
Lurker
The former Pistons HVC has an ouchie in his foot and may not play much for the Magic. As a group, the Pistons bench has been increasingly effective lately, as long as they’re not dodging Tazer darts, live ammo, or sneaking a pill from the wife’s purse. The biggest contributor continues to be Antonio McDyess, who lately has been showing up just long enough to shoot 5 for 6 and grab 10 boards.
Advantage: Pistons
Slippy
We’re bringing in a stronger bench this year. Orlando’s bench is comparable to ours. Bo Outlaw tangles up with McDyess. Arroyo and Flip Murray. Then you have Ariza bringing athleticism and Maxiell with some brahma power. But then we can pull out the Naz, the Taz and the wonderkid-AJ. Advantage Detroit.  |