Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons
Q: Bench points seem to be keys to success. Which team has had the better bench so far in this series?
Melissa - Just because Boston has more wins doesn’t mean that they have a better bench. It could mean that they just got lucky and that Detroit has sustained a few too many injuries, masking how crazy their bench really is. One name for you: Rodney Stuckey. Aside from his obvious skills at basketball, he looks exactly like 50 Cent. What more can you ask for in a promising rookie? 
Jimmy - Detroit. The Pistons have had solid contributions from players like Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell and tough defense by Lindsey Hunter. On paper, the Celtics' bench should be better, but they haven’t delivered. James Posey, P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell haven’t been big factors in this series. Eddie House’s tough and energetic minutes have completely disappeared.Melissa - You bet it could. Chauncey Billups is Detroit’s strongest advantage point, and he sure doesn’t give them a big lead when he’s limping around the court like an old man. Sure he’s been playing, but he isn’t 100 percent, and the games are only going to get tougher as the playoffs go on. In addition to Billups playing below par, Rip Hamilton has been poked in the eye and has a strained elbow. Poor guy. Detroit is in rough shape going in to the next game.
Jimmy - Nope. It’s a factor for sure, but Detroit has been in each game of this series with the exception of Game 3. The Pistons should have won Game 5, and they will be better prepared knowing that they let that game get away from them. Every team has players that are banged up, but these are the NBA playoffs. Billups has to adjust his game in order to help his team win.
Melissa - We all know that Allen had those points in him somewhere. But, like learning to ride a bike, if you haven’t been in the playoffs for a while, it takes a while to get rid of the wobbles. Let’s not mistake his great game on Wednesday for a miracle. I think he’s finally found himself, and will start become a serious asset to his team.Jimmy - Most of the Boston fans are probably cautiously optimistic. Allen had a good stretch offensively in the Game 2 loss, going off for 25 points, but then proceeded to tank it again in Game 4 by shooting 2-8. Allen will need to put together more than a few good quarters for people to really believe he’s finally out of his slump. Otherwise, he’s still just got a case of the “Manus.”Melissa - Detroit: Rip Hamilton is Detroit's MVP if they win the series. Rip stares the possibility of death in the face every time he walks out onto the court. I like that kind of bravery in a man.Boston: Kevin Garnett – My crack team has agreed unanimously that Garnett is Boston’s MVP. He scores a lot of points and is the emotional backbone of the team. Without him, Boston just couldn’t succeed.Jimmy - If Detroit wins the series, their MVP has to be Antonio McDyess. Having found the fountain of youth, McDyess is playing his best basketball since he was a rookie. He might not have the same athletic ability, but he is playing with the same reckless abandon that made him a second overall draft choice. If Boston wins, that title can only be given to Kevin Garnett. Nobody contributes more to this Celtics team night in and night out as much as Kevin Garnett does. Even when he struggles with his shot, he always hits the boards, distributes the ball and plays tenacious D.
Melissa - Boston will win, of course! Not only do they have a head start, Detroit is just too injured to win this series.Jimmy - Boston is going to have to play yet another Game 7, but this time they’re going to lose. Detroit is a team that has been there, done that. They have poise (not you, "Sheed") and embody the team-first mentality. While Boston has played a lot of games, having their first two series go to seven games, this team still hasn’t learned how to win. Despite the veteran star power, they are a young and growing team in terms of playing together. Two games won’t be enough time to put it together. Detroit should win this one in seven games.
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