Celtics, Pistons to Battle for East Title
Boston and Detroit are Conference's Best
Don't let Sunday night's game fool you. Boston vs. Detroit is still the premier matchup in the NBA's Eastern Conference.
And though the Celtics won handily, 88-76, in the first meeting between the two teams, the competition between them promises to be fierce before the season ends. The Pistons were playing just their second game with future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson on the roster, and remember, NBA games in early November mean very little.
When it counts, you will see Boston and Detroit square off in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics look to defend the NBA title while the Pistons hope to return to The Finals for the first time in five seasons.
The following is a breakdown of how the two teams match up, and what we can expect when they battle for a spot in the NBA Finals.
Pistons Have the Stronger Offense
The Celtics still have multiple weapons, from Kevin Garnett inside to Ray Allen outside to Paul Pierce anywhere on the court. But they have upgraded at point guard, where Rajon Rondo is much improved in his third season. He showed flashes in last season's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, and has been even more impressive in this season's first seven games en route to becoming one of the best multi-purpose points in the league.
Detroit is even more loaded. Iverson can take over a game with his ability to score from anywhere on the court. It is the kind of boost Detroit's offense needed with Rasheed Wallace slowing down. Though he was all but invisible Sunday (0-for-8 from the field), Rip Hamilton is one of the game's premier swingmen whose range will only be helped by Iverson's presence. Mix in talented small forward Tayshaun Prince and the Pistons have a trio of scorers that will test anyone.
Celtics Have NBA's Best Defense
The key to the Celtics' first title in 22 years, the team's defense looks even stronger this season. It limited Detroit to 10 points in the second quarter Sunday. Garnett is the only true standout at man defense, though Pierce certainly made his mark against Kobe Bryant in the Finals, and center Kendrick Perkins is very underrated. The Celtics' ability to bring help to the ball at all times gives them the league's best defensive unit.
Prince and Wallace are great defenders for the Pistons, and Hamilton isn't bad. But Iverson is definitely a step down from Chauncey Billups, and with Rondo improving that could spell disaster for Detroit every time the two teams meet.
Backcourt Edge to Detroit
Rondo and Allen are a strong tandem, but Boston reserve Tony Allen could be the key here. A great finisher who loves to drive to the basket, he was the key to Sunday's game with 23 points in 28 minutes on 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Eddie House is one of the league's weaker backup point guards but he can still hit the 3-pointer.
Iverson and Hamilton are the NBA's best guard pair. Either one can get hot and carry this team. The drop off, though, is huge. Rodney Stuckey showed flashes in last season's playoffs but he, Will Bynum and Arron Afflalo frighten no one.
Celtics Have More Talent Up Front
It may seem blasphemous to some Celtic fans, but another championship or two and Garnett and Pierce could some day be considered with Bird and McHale. The two best players on the NBA's best team make up the finest forward pair the league has seen in some time. Perkins adds little offensively from the center spot but earns his paycheck with great defense and relentless work on the boards. Leon Powe and Glen "Big Baby" Davis give Boston great depth up front.
Prince, Wallace and forward Amir Johnson are a decent trio but Prince is the only real star. Wallace, long the bad boy of the NBA, is on the downside of his career. Jason Maxiell is an improving young player, but Kwame Brown and Walter Herrmann add little other than six fouls apiece.
Boston Bench Better
The key matchup between these two won't be Pierce vs. Prince, Iverson vs. Rondo, nor Wallace vs. Garnett. It will be between the reserves. Tony Allen, Powe, Davis and House are the first four off the bench for Boston and each has the ability to make a major impact in his own way. Stuckey and Maxiell are talented young players but there isn't much more on Detroit's second team.
Overall Advantage: Boston
The Celtics have remained hungry despite a celebratory offseason as world champions. They know the true Celtic greats were the product of multiple titles and they will do everything in their power to repeat as NBA champions. They appear even more dedicated to defense this year, and it was that unit that dominated a talented Lakers team a season ago.
Adding Iverson shows the Pistons are serious about this year. How well he can blend with Hamilton, Prince and Wallace is the key to their season. If they can find a way to play with just one basketball, the Pistons could surprise the Celtics. Don't count on it.
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