NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Pistons - Game 3

After Detroit stole a game from Boston on the road in Game 2, I thought the Celtics were in trouble heading off to Detroit being 0-6 on the road in the 2008 playoffs. I have to hand it to Boston though, they really impressed me last night by embarassing the Pistons on their home court, 94 -80, in Game 3 going up 2-1 in the series. Coming into the game last night it seemed like Detroit found a solution on how to beat the Celtics from their win in Game 2, but that was not the case in Game 3. Boston was dominant the entire game with their tough defense and clutch shooting proving why the Celtics were the best road team in the NBA during the regular season with a 31-10 record.

The Boston PGA (Pierce, Garnett, Allen) Tour did their share combining for 47 points, but the x-factor in Game 3 was the production from Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo. They did not play well at all in Game 2, but last night they were both looking for their shots and stepped up their game scoring 12 points each making Detroit pay for double-teaming KG and Pierce.

You can't take away how well Boston played, but what happened to Detroit last night? After being the only team that has beaten the Celtics on their home court in the playoffs this year, you would think they would make a big statement and take the lead in the series on their home court. Where was Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince? In both games that the Pistons have lost in this series, Billups and Prince have been outplayed which is so unlike them since they are known for playing big in big games with Prince's shut down defense and Billups' clutch shooting.

The Celtics didn't just beat the Pistons, they dominated Detroit from the opening tip and even though Boston beat them by 14 points, the score was much closer than how Detroit played. If it wasn't for rookie Rodney Stuckey's 17 points off the bench, Detroit would have been blown out. Detroit has made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for six straight seasons from 2003-2008, but if they don't start playing with some heart in Game 4, Boston will end their season in Game 5 at home.

Detroit needs to wake up because the Boston PGA Tour has 3 future hall-of-famers that each have not only not won a NBA championship, they haven't even been to the NBA Finals. Boston knows they are 2 wins away from the NBA Finals, they can taste it and played like it last night. Boston and Detroit are very similar when it comes down to tough defenses and even match-ups, so it mainly comes down to who wants that championship more because its obvious that Boston wants it more after their performance in Game 3.