[Associated Press]

Pistons Nip Cavaliers, Force Game 7
Summoning all their postseason experience and making every big play down the stretch, the Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 84-82 to even their series and force a decisive Game 7.

"We know what it takes," Detroit's Ben Wallace said. "We've been together a while. We don't panic."

.... The Pistons' biggest win of 2006 wasn't secure until the final tick of the clock, when a free throw intentionally missed by LeBron James was nearly tipped into the basket by Detroit's Chauncey Billups - another unlucky bounce for the Cavs.

"I got my hand on it, and I almost made the basket for them," Billups said. "When it was in the air, I was like, 'Wow, not like this.'"

[Hmmm. Chauncey almost admits to being concerned. Things are looking up.]

Richard Hamilton Solid Again for Pistons
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Richard Hamilton has been as steady as he is skinny in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Hamilton scored 17 points to help the Pistons avoid elimination with an 84-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in Game 6.

[NBA.com]

James Can't Do It Alone as Pistons Force Game 7
CLEVELAND, May 19 (Ticker) -- LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers may have just witnessed the end of their season.

James scored 32 points, but it was not enough as the Detroit Pistons got a few clutch shots from Rasheed Wallace and some big offensive rebounds down the stretch to post an 84-82 victory in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

[DetroitPistons.com]

Postgame Quotes
Flip Saunders on defending LeBron with smaller players tonight:
“We tried, number one, to put a little more pressure, and not get him as comfortable. He’s so good with the ball because he’s so big. He can see over people. So you can’t let him where he is spacing you up so much, we tried to get him where we could put a little more pressure on him. Change the people on him a little bit, changed our coverage, went some traps, did a little bit of everything. I thought our zone defense was great for us. It changed tempos as far as the game. And just tried to give different looks. When you play someone who is in a rhythm which I think he is you can’t give him the same look every time.”

[Sporting News]

SEAN DEVENEY: Pistons finally get some lucky bounces
Even in the Game 6 win, it just did not feel like we were watching the Pistons we've grown accustomed to. They shot 33 percent in the fourth. They were 16-for-28 from the free-throw line -- even Billups, who just never misses at the stripe, missed a key free throw that set up James' mad dash to end the game. Detroit was outrebounded in Game 6, 42-35.

But those bounces, late in the game when they had to have them, saved the Pistons' season and put them in good shape for Sunday's finale. Cleveland, obviously, is a worthy adversary for the Pistons, but if Detroit can get the same rolls to go their way in Game 7 -- whether you want to call it luck or grinding or some combination of the two, those rolls have been the hallmarks of the Pistons' recent run -- they'll be a tough team for Cleveland to beat.

[Fox Sports]

ERIC MONEYPENNY: Cavs should have used Gooden late in Game 6
While watching Game 6 between the Pistons-Cavaliers, and the Pistons were dramatically dominating the offensive glass late in the fourth quarter, one question entered my mind.

Where in the world was Cleveland forward Drew Gooden?

[After weeks without losing work to MLive.com's browser-freezing design, yours truly said goodbye to an hour's worth of links this morning -- courtesy MLive's sister site at Cleveland.com! Never again. So here's a quick overview of the local papers, and if you want more you can navigate from one story to the rest.]

[Detroit News]

Hunter puts major pressure on James
CLEVELAND -- Pistons point guard Lindsey Hunter spent most of his 16 minutes on the floor of Friday night's Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers trying to frustrate LeBron James with his pint-sized pressure.

He had some success, helping to limit James to eight points in the first half. But Hunter picked up three personal fouls in the meantime.

ROB PARKER: Does Saunders trust bench?
My moles are telling me that if there's one big gripe the Pistons have with coach Flip Saunders, it's that he never had any confidence in his bench players.

This is not just a feeling since the playoffs started, but all season long.

[Detroit Free Press]

Getting even
"I hope Cleveland is ready to match our energy," said Rasheed Wallace, "because it's going to be bananas at The Palace. We are going to tear the roof off the place."

It was a valiant performance by Wallace and another clutch one from Chauncey Billups that kept the roof on Quicken Loans Arena on Friday and carried the Pistons to a frantic, nerve-wracking 84-82 victory in Game 6.

[Akron Beacon]

Pistons execute, tie series
There was nothing really simple about the 2 ½-hour struggle, with both teams scrapping for every basket and throwing complex schemes at one another. The Pistons probably won the game on this level, making some offensive decisions that were the most prudent since the first half of Game 2.

They fed the post all night, taking advantage of mismatches Prince and Rasheed Wallace created. The Cavs, determined to kill the Pistons' long-range shooting, had lived with this situation for three games as they switched on pick-and-rolls to avoid allowing open jumpers. In Game 6, desperate Detroit made them pay.

[^&%#@!! Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Gotta Rebound
Thousands of fans at The Q stood in disbelief Friday night after exerting so much energy in the biggest game of the Cavaliers' season only to leave exhausted and disappointed.

The Cavs were so close in finishing off the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals that several fans were overheard discussing plans for a trip to Miami - to play the Heat in the conference finals.

The Pistons, however, put the Cavs and many airline reservations on hold.

Pressure-packed night
By DANA GAURUDER
Of The Oakland Press

AUBURN HILLS - Through six dominating and exhilarating months, the Pistons passed virtually every character test. Over the past week, they have sullied their reputations with mystifying failures in clutch situations.
this is a pregame article

Pistons force Game 7 vs. Cavs, 84-82
CLEVELAND -- The Detroit Pistons have a lengthy track record of finding ways to pull off playoff wins when their postseason life is at stake.
You can add one more to that list after the Pistons staved off elimination with a hard-fought 84-82 win at Cleveland, evening the best-of-seven series at three games apiece. Game 7 will be Sunday at The Palace.

This time Pistons back the talk
By A. Sherrod Blakely
CLEVELAND -- The shift has been subtle, but definitely noticeable among the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit, a team that prides itself on its toughness, has gradually morphed into one that seems to be more about talking.
It's the kind of change that none of the Pistons sees as a change for the better.

Pistons Playoff Primer
Highlights of the Detroit Pistons' 84-82 NBA playoff victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday:
Key play: With Detroit clinging to an 84-82 lead with 1.4 seconds to play, Cleveland's LeBron James intentionally missed the second of two free throws. The ball was batted around, with Zydrunas Ilgauskas missing a tip-in that would have tied the game.

__________________

All tied up! 3-3

Pistons 84, Cavs 82




Cleveland Cavaliers : Detroit Edges Cleveland, Sends Series to Game 7

In another game that came down to the final seconds, the Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaier 84-82 to force a game 7 Sunday back in Detroit. THe game wasn't decided until the final buzzer when LeBron James intentionally missed his second foul shot down 2 and first Zydrunas Ilgauskas missed a tough tip in and then Drew Gooden had his tip in attempt blocked as time expired.



Rasheed's Play Speaks Volumes as the Pistons Force a Game Seven Showdown with the Cavaliers

LeBron James is about to confront another new challenge in his young playoff career: playing a game seven on the road against the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions. The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 84-82 before a sellout crowd of 20,562 at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night. The Cleveland faithful were loud and raucous for most of the game but quieted to stunned silence at the final buzzer. James led both teams with 32 points and 11 rebounds while adding five assists, but he also had seven turnovers and shot 8-20 from the field. Rasheed Wallace's words have overshadowed his play for most of the series but he came up with a big performance in game six, scoring 24 points on 9-17 shooting from the field, including 4-8 marksmanship on three pointers.





Is there any doubt?

Generally, this space is reserved for all things Heat.

Then again, in a way, this essentially is part of the Heat's reality:

The Pistons are coming.

Friday was Cleveland's best chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat's best chance to steal homecourt.




Cavs broadcaster feeling pessimistic

Joe Tait, who has been calling Cavalier broadcasts since 1970, isn't sounding too positive about the outcome of the series.


Sheridan: Last play marred great game

ESPN NBA analyst Chris Sheridan has a column out today that focuses primarily on the last play of last night's game. After getting some player perspectives Sheridan concludes that the foul call was the wrong decision.

Young team loses poise for first time
by Tom Reed

CLEVELAND - Cavaliers fans never have to ask if they can get a witness for their Nike-clad superstar, LeBron James.

At the maddening conclusion of Friday night's 84-82 loss to the Detroit Pistons, a more pressing question arose: Can they get a rebound?

The NBA All-Offensive Team

Sheed only got 'honorable mention'...but LB was first team.

[Associated Press]

Pistons Look to Rule the Palace in Game 7
It's a safe bet the Pistons and 22,000 fans will take the Cavs seriously Sunday afternoon with a spot in the Eastern Conference finals at stake.

"The Palace is going to be bananas," said Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace. "We're going to tear the roof off the joint."

Hughes to Play in Game 7 for Cavs
Cleveland's guard, who returned to the club Friday after missing three games in the Detroit series following the death of his younger brother, is expected to play in Sunday's decisive game at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich.

[Detroit News]

Pistons' season hangs in the balance
AUBURN HILLS -- By now, the Pistons certainly have received, read and processed the memo: if you want it, you have to win it. Nothing is guaranteed, regardless of experience, talent or home-court advantage.

Yes, the Pistons worked hard for 82 games in the regular season and won the right to play Game 7 at home, and yes, teams with home-court advantage have won 76 percent of all playoff series dating back to 1946-1947.

TERRY FOSTER: Pistons are no strangers to pressure of Game 7
The Pistons tied the series Friday after an 84-82 nail-biter at Quicken Loans Arena, which set up today's stomach-crunching finale at 3:30. It is more than a game. In four quarters, the Pistons will take one of two paths -- one tragic or one familiar.

Behind door No. 1 is a loss that will open Pandora's Box. The second door comes with a giant sigh of relief and finally summons the Eastern Conference Finals in a couple days against the rested Miami Heat, who are breathing fire because the Pistons drummed them out of the playoffs in a thrilling seven-game series last season.

Saunders makes adjustments on the fly
DETROIT -- If you would have watched the Pistons bench Friday, you would have thought it was utter chaos. Plays and adjustments would be drawn up in the huddle during a timeout. Then, as the team was waiting to go back on the court, Pistons coach Flip Saunders and the players would tweak one or two things. Then, when the players came back on the floor, Saunders and his staff would make even more alterations.

"We did, we made a lot of adjustments and I give the players credit for being able to change on the fly like that,” Saunders said. “We had some breakdowns, but overall, not too many.”

[New York Times]

James Isn't Ready to Start Vacation
"Nobody thought we would be here, nobody thought we would be in a Game 7 against the Pistons," said James, who is averaging 31.1 points during the postseason. "We've proved doubters wrong. So it's time to prove some more wrong. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be excellent."

[San Jose Mercury News]

LeBron building a jaw-dropping legacy
LeBron James, you've already won, and there's more out there for you.

You're already the postseason's biggest story, you've led the Cavaliers much further than anybody predicted, and nobody expects you to knock off the Detroit Pistons today.

Which makes you the most dangerous man in the NBA universe right now, and I hope you're enjoying the moment. And I want you to get greedy.

[Kansas City Star]

NBA deserves hype; Cavs' James doesn't
The Cavs would've put Detroit away Friday night had James played up to his Magic Johnson hype. Let's remember that a few days short of his 21st birthday, Johnson played all five positions against Dr. J's Sixers and dropped 42, 15 and seven on Philly with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at home with a headache. That was in game six of the NBA finals.

Meanwhile, Friday night James turned the ball over seven times, including four times in the fourth quarter. In the final seconds, he melted down and bypassed a would-be game-tying three-point attempt. At Detroit's offensive end, Tayshaun Prince had his way with James in the low post, getting any shot he wanted. James, who is built like a mini version of Karl Malone, settled for free throws in the fourth quarter and one second-half assist because he couldn't post up Lindsey Hunter or any Detroit defender.

[So, what do you think today's big topic will be? Could it be ... (Church Lady voice) ... LEBRON? This article lacked a byline, but it has to be Jason Whitlock. A welcome change from the LeBron lovefest elsewhere.]

[Detroit Free Press]

Pistons sure hope home is sweet for Game 7
Through 82 regular-season games, whenever the Detroit Pistons faced boredom and fatigue from another long flight, another back-to-back, or another game against a lottery-bound team, they fought through it with days like today in mind.

Today the Pistons will play a deciding Game 7 on their home floor. It's not the one they really want at home -- that would come next month in the NBA Finals -- but it's a game they need to win to get there.

Sheed may talk, but at least he can walk
"That's one thing that's overlooked a little bit," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "In Game 4, 'Sheed sprains his ankle in the first quarter. 'Sheed's playing at basically 60% in Games 4 and 5....

"You guys know if you ask, who's the MVP of the team, almost every player comes out and says 'Sheed is because of what he gives us... So us being able to have him, go into him in the post, us being able to run pick-and-roll and him having his legs to be able to shoot threes and create space away from Chauncey, I mean those were huge keys."

Cavs have nothing to lose in Game 7
Coach Mike Brown met with his players briefly on Saturday afternoon to watch tape and complete a short walk-through session before leaving on a 3:30 p.m. flight to Detroit. He said he's been pleased with the Cavs' aggressiveness in the last four games and the second half of Game 2, but knows they can't afford another sluggish effort down the stretch like the one that led to Friday's loss.

The Cavs struggled with their perimeter defense in Game 6. The Pistons made 4-of-6 threes in the second half, finishing 6-for-14 (42.9%) from the three-point arc.

MITCH ALBOM: Pistons' Flip tries to go the distance
So who's coaching these Pistons? Some say it's the players. Some say -- after three straight losses to Cleveland -- nobody. Both answers ignore the man who holds the title. Flip Saunders is, by job description, the head coach. But if you think that means Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers," think again.

The NBA is a league of dones and done-nots. Players who sport a championship ring always will have something over those who don't. The Pistons have six players who hold such rings. Their coach does not.

DREW SHARP: Pistons' quiet confidence a good sign
Adolescent levity was non-existent, as was the borderline funereal tone of their practice just before they headed to Cleveland for Game 6.

In their place was a relaxed self-assurance, with only the Pistons' recently acquired respect for those annoying, agitating Cavaliers keeping their happy feet firmly grounded.

"We learned a lesson," Rip Hamilton said. "You've got to take care of business."

[Akron Beacon]

Pistons break hearts
Drew Gooden still agonizes over the Game 7 his team lost to the Pistons when he was a member of the Orlando Magic in 2003. Damon Jones couldn't sleep for two days after the Pistons ousted his Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season.

If the rest of the Cavs are going to avoid being infected by that dogging feeling, they'll need to accomplish three things.

TERRY PLUTO: Nothing like emotions of Game 7
"The Cavs know they needed to just get one more rebound in the final minute and they win,'' said Malone, whose son Michael is a Cavs assistant. "Right now, these two teams are so close, anything really can happen.

"Hey, the Cavs have nothing to lose. They're not supposed to be there. The Pistons are supposed to have had this thing wrapped up. There have been times when the Cavs have had Detroit rattled.''

James not changing for Game 7
As Marshall spoke to reporters, the Cavs' resident savior playfully hid behind a door attempting to jab his spit-lubed index finger into Marshall's ear.

A 21-year-old who has come of age in his postseason debut sees no harm in sometimes acting his age. The pressure of his first Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons be damned.

[Cleveland Plain Dealer]

One Cavs win could heal two playoff hurts
Today's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons not only advances the winner to conference finals, but a Cavs victory could erase the demons from Damon Jones' past.

It was last year's conference finals between the Pistons and the Miami Heat. The Heat led the series, 3-2, but the Pistons forced a seventh game. Jones, the starting point guard for the Heat, twisted his ankle early in the first half of Game 7 but continued to play. He had his worst game of the playoffs. Jones finished with one point and one crucial late turnover. The Pistons went on to victory.

WEBLOG: Game 7 thoughts
It could be any sport, and at the mere mention of a Game 7 I'll begin making plans to watch it. I'm a sucker like that.

But my drooling over the drama aside, here's what I think has to happen tomorrow for the Cavs to win.

Victory Is A Work In Progress

Game Five at the Palace was pathetic, not only did the real Pistons not show up, neither did the fans. For all of you that will be at game seven, I want the Palace louder than we have ever been before. Let's cheer our boys on until we can't muster another sound out of our mouths. We can help them add another banner in those rafters. Let's make it a true home court advantage!

A few days ago I stumbled on this Pistons Playoff commercial while watching Sportscenter. It pumped me up so I thought I would share.

You gotta watch this short video. Natalie does a great job at N4S.




Can we laugh at this yet?

Damon Jones Gets Hit in the Eye [YouTube]

Jacob "The Dancer" [YouTube]

Damon Jones gets knocked in the face [YouTube]

Jake the Dancing Kid in one of his most disturbing routines. Seeing Damon Jones get poked in the face after Game 5 is pretty cool.




LeBron James is taking a Shot

Watch this real quick, and then meet us down below.

I don't know why I post this. YAYSports blows.




Mythical concept

I've been guilty of falling for the idea that Dwyane Wade struggles against the Pistons and the defense of Lindsey Hunter and Rip Hamilton. Maybe it's because I vividly remember his 3 of 15 game in Detroit on March 22, and his frustrations with Rip and Lindsey at times during games. But I guess I should've looked at the numbers earlier.

Kinda interesting to see this entry about Wade's performance against the Pistons. The author makes a good point about Antoine Walker. he's a scary dude.