Detroit 84, Cleveland 82 (series tied, 3-3)
The Pistons advanced to 9-2 in elimination games over the past three seasons, and that experience and determination were on full display on Friday night. Rasheed Wallace finally backed up all of his big talk – the forward scored 14 points over the last 15 minutes, finishing with 24 points, including 4-8 shooting from long range. Chauncey Billups also played well in the clutch, hitting an impossible jump shot to give the Pistons a four-point lead with 2:20 to play. Still, the Cavs had opportunities, but they gave up five offensive rebounds over the last 1:40. LeBron James led Cleveland with 32 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but with the Cavs down two with 0:48 to play, he failed to box out Tayshaun Prince on a missed shot from Wallace – Prince tipped the ball to Richard Hamilton. On the ensuing possession, Wallace took another shot – this time from the left baseline – and instead of floating down to the right baseline or block (where 80% of misses are going to go), James stood in front of the basket. When the miss flew off to the right baseline, James was out of position and was unable to grab the board. The Cavs had to foul, and Billups made one of two free throws to give the Pistons a three-point lead. Cleveland decided not to call a time out with 0:10 to play, so LeBron brought the ball up court and was fouled with 0:01 to play. He made his first free throw and intentionally missed his second, and the ball was almost tipped in (accidentally) by Chauncey Billups. Getting back to the defensive rebounds, I sure hope his mistakes are pointed out in the Cavs’ film sessions. It seems trivial, but had the Cavs cleared either one of those boards, they would have had a realistic shot to win the game.
San Antonio 91, Dallas 86 (series tied, 3-3)
With Jason Terry missing the game due to his cheap shot punch of Michael Finley in Game 5, the Mavericks didn’t have very many options in the clutch. The Spurs were able to outlast the Mavs behind a great game from Manu Ginobili (30 points, 10 rebounds) who looks as if he’s finally recovered from the calf injury that has slowed him the last few months. Tim Duncan wasn’t as efficient as usual, but managed 24 points and eight rebounds in the win. With Terry out, the Mavs needed a good game from either Devin Harris or Jerry Stackhouse and neither guy delivered. The duo combined for just 17 points on 7-29 (24%) shooting. Dirk Nowitzki kept his team in the game, posting 26 points, 21 rebounds and five assists. Dallas has squandered a 3-1 series lead, and now has the unenviable task of trying to win Game 7 on the defending champs’ home court. The Mavs are definitely capable – they just have to relax and make their open shots.
