Well, it’s getting pretty hard to bet against Boston at home, even if they have been playing almost every other day for the past few days. But despite warring with LeBron and the Cavs in Game 7 of round two on Sunday, they came out ready for the Pistons and played a good game all the way through while winning by 12. KG and Pierce had great games with little-to-no help in the offensive end. Rondo was the only other Celt in double-digits and the bench was weak. For better or worse, Sam Cassell didn’t even play.
You can always argue that maybe the Pistons were rusty but when you have a veteran team like theirs, you should always be ready for a dog fight. Rasheed Wallace was a pithy 3-for-12 from the field and nobody on the team stepped up. if they aren’t going to try, why are they here?
With Game 1 last night, this may hardly seem like a fair prediction of the coming series. Well, it is; even if I already have advanced knowledge. But, then again, considering that the Celtics won at home, there isn’t really anything new there.
So, do the Celtics have what it takes to actually win a game on the road? Do the Pistons have what it takes to be the first team to defeat the Celtics in Boston? Those are the two biggest and most pertinent questions coming out of the East.
This Detroit team with its veteran makeup, solid leadership and ability to step it up have exactly what is needed to take a tough road game. They will bounce back after the Game 1 loss and I wouldn’t bet against them winning Game 2.
The Celtics, on the other hand, did nothing in my eyes to give me the confidence to think they can hold onto home court advantage or win on the road — their achilles heel so far. If they can’t tame a lame home crowd like Atlanta’s, how in the world are they going to win in Detroit, a place were fans actually fought players on the court!
Prediction: Detroit in Six.