3-2

Whew! That was a close one. Outstanding 3 point shooting by the Pistons throughout the contest. Lucky for the Celts, Ray finally found his range. Allen was outstanding with his shot tonight. If he gets on a roll, only good thing will happen for the team in green. KG and Pauly were their usually great selves, Rondo was more good than bad, and Perk went beserk. And how 'bout Mr. Perkins? Straight beastin' in the lane. That hook is beginning to look real, and that turn around was straight stupid--not unlike the turn around Maxiell in the 1st half. Perk is just 23 and coming into his own. Nice night for Playoff career highs. Despite the close end, the win puts Boston in the drivers seat.

This has been a real back and forth series, both overall and within games. Big runs and swings of momentum. The hustle and energy has been incredible, but the ability to execute has been dictated by both defenses in every key stretch of the series thus far. Detroit is a bit beat up. Billups was better tonight, though he still looks like he is playing with some physical limits. And Rip looked like he might of hurt his elbow at the end of the game. Funny that Sheed was bent outta shape about the officiating; for while there I thought Kenny Mauer was trying to hand the game to the Pistons. Guess when you have two teams so closely matched, factors as small as referee error always seem so magnified.

Boston is winning this in 6. I am sure I could be wrong about the depth of the Piston resiliency. Detroit has been tremendous, most especially with the contributions from McDyess, Stuckey, Maxiell and Hunter. Frickin Lindsey Hunter. My point is that this is more about the Celtics emerging post-season identity than any deficiency of the Pistons. All of the travails of these first three rounds have made Boston stronger. On Friday, Boston is going to close Detroit because they are finally ready to close a team out on the road.