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| You will hear NBA fans proclaim Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups as the kings of Detroit, but it is center Rasheed Wallace who sets the tone for this squad and his efforts helped the Pistons earn a 103-97 victory over the Boston Celtics. Wallace went 4-for-7 from the field, 2-for-4 from the three-point line, and 2-for-4 at the charity stripe to score 13 points, spiced with 10 rebounds to give Wallace the double-double on the evening. |
Our View: Detroit has handed Boston their first home playoff loss this season and now Wallace hopes to keep the good emotions going as the series moves to Detroit.
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| Six different players posted double-digit scoring totals in tonight's 103-97 win for the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, but it was shooting guard Richard Hamilton that led the way. Rip shot 7-of-16 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line to score a team-high 25 points, also adding three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocked shots in an outstanding effort. |
Our View: Now the series heads to Detroit tied at one win for each team, and Detroit has set the tone by handing Boston their first home loss of these playoffs.
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| For the first time in the playoffs this season, the Boston Celtics have fallen at home, losing 103-97 to the Detroit Pistons. Boston forward Kevin Garnett was the weapon of choice for the Celtics tonight, going 11-for-19 from the field to score 24 points with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. |
Our View: The terrific trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combined for 75 points, but the effort failed to bring a much-needed win. Now the series heads to Detroit tied 1-1.
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| Richard Hamilton has been fined by the NBA for a flagrant foul against Boston's Kevin Garnett during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night, according to the Detroit News.
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Our View: Hamilton threw an elbow up high around Garnett's neck and chin area. It was Hamilton's fourth foul and he was immediately taken out of the game (with about 10 minutes left).
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| There's no question that Italian small forward Danilo Gallinari is on the Knicks radar for the upcoming draft, the New York Post reports. The 19-year-old Gallinari could be available at the No. 6 spot. "He's better than [Andreas] Bargnani, no question," an Eastern Conference scout says. "He's Tom Chambers. Nobody's said that before. The guy doesn't back down from anybody. You're in his face. He'll get right back at them. Knicks fans would love him." The club recently sent Isiah Thomas overseas to scout Gallinari, whose father played with Mike D'Antoni. |
Our View: All the easy connections are there for the media to piece together a story here. The Knicks roster should undergo a notable overhaul this offseason, and they could put a lot of pressure on whomever they select at No. 6. Gallinari could play a variety of roles in D'Antoni's versatile, running offense.
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| Anthony Parker underwent surgery Wednesday to repair an injured extensor tendon in the middle finger of his right hand, according to Slam Sports. Parker must wear a cast for three weeks before he can begin rehabilitation. |
Our View: Parker averaged a career-best 12.5 points last season, second only to Chris Bosh on the team. He also averaged 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists and became just the third player in team history to start all 82 regular-season games.
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| Pau Gasol chipped in 19 points and seven boards in Wednesday's 89-85 win over the Spurs in Game 1. He also made three assists, two steals, and two blocks. |
Our View: Gasol is off to a solid start in the Western Conference Finals. He is averaging 19.9 points through the playoffs.
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| Manu Ginobili was held in check in Wednesday's 89-95 loss to the Lakers, as he only scored 10 points, while shooting a poor 3-of-13 from the field (2-of-6 from long range). He also made four turnovers. |
Our View: Ginobili was averaging 23.6 points over his previous three outings, but was held to 12 points in his last appearance against the Lakers on January 23.
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| Tony Parker registered a double-double with 18 points and 10 boards in Wednesday's 89-85 loss to the Lakers in Game 1. He also chipped in six assists and one steal. |
Our View: That was his third double-double of the playoffs. He should remain a solid source of production for the Spurs through the Western Conference Finals.
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| Tim Duncan scored a game-high 30 points in Wednesday's 89-85 loss to the Lakers in Game 1. He also led the game with 18 boards and four blocks, with two assists and two steals. |
Our View: That was his highest scoring total since Game 1 of the first round against Phoenix, when he notched 40.
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