NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Pistons - Game 4

The Pistons knew after losing Game 3 if they didn't win Game 4 at home their season was practically over, but they came through with an impressive win over the Celtics, 94-75, tieing up the series 2-2. Right from the beginning, Detroit came out more aggreessive and played with more passion with their tough defense forcing Boston to shoot only 31.8% from the field.

Richard Hamilton has been Detroit's leading scorer the entire series, but if someone told me that the Piston's next leading scorer in Game 4 were Antonio McDyess, I'd question if they had been drinking. McDyess had 21 points, 16 rebounds and surprisingly outplayed Kevin Garnett (16 points, 7 rebounds), giving an unexpected spark that Detroit definitely needed to win last night.

The unsung hero last night for Detroit was Jason Maxiell. He played like a beast scoring 14 points off the bench and caused huge match-up problems for Boston's defense all night long. If Detroit's Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey can be consistent being productive off the bench and Chauncey Billups along with Tayshaun Prince can put up big numbers, Boston's hopes to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987 will probably come to an end.

If Boston is going to make it to the NBA Finals, they have to get more production from Ray Allen. After Game 2 when Allen scored 25 points, I thought he was out of his shooting slump but after shooting 7-24, (29%) and averaging 12.5 points in Game 3 & 4, I don't think he is completely out of his slump. Boston needs all three guys of the Boston PGA (Pierce, Garnett, Allen) Tour to play well to beat Detroit, because if Allen doesn't find his shot in Game 5 the Celtics will not be playing in the NBA Finals, they will we watching at home on their couch instead.

Boston must win at home in Game 5 because if they don't win, Detroit will finish the Celtics on their home court in Game 6. Detroit blew a excellent opportunity to go 2-1 on Boston in Game 3 on their home court after stealing a win at Boston on the road in Game 2, and now really regret it because they would be up 3-1 instead of tied at 2-2 in the series. Detroit will not make that mistake twice in Game 6 if they are up 3-2, so I think Game 5 is much more important to Boston than Detroit. I believe that Allen will have a big game and the Celtics will win Game 5, forcing Detroit to win Game 6 or go home without a trip to the NBA Finals for the third straight season.