Some people disregarded the Boston Celtics' inability to win on the road, claiming their dominance at home would be enough to get to the NBA Finals . But the Detroit Pistons threw a huge wrench into that theory with Game 2's victory, and now the Celtics will have to show what they are made of when the two meet for Game 3 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday night. BetOnline.com oddsmakers currently have the Boston Celtics as the +5 dogs heading into the NBA Playoff Finals matchup.
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons – 8:30 PM ET
The Celtics' lack of depth reared its ugly head in Game 2's 103-97 loss , as their top trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce scored 75 points between them. It was particularly good to see Allen break out of his shooting slump, but he may have forced the issue on a couple of occasions, especially down the stretch. However, the rest of the team combined for 22 points, which is not how you win a championship. The “Big Three” cannot win a title by themselves, and will need a much-improved effort from their role players for the rest of the series if they want to reach the finals.
The Pistons displayed their veteran experience by making the big plays when it counted on both ends of the floor. Richard Hamilton put up 25 points for the Pistons, as all five Detroit starters reached double digits in scoring. Chauncey Billups still is not 100% recovered from his hamstring injury, but he managed to rack up 19 points and seven assists, while outplaying Boston's Rajon Rondo. Rookie Rodney Stuckey made a huge contribution to the Detroit cause by coming off the bench to 13 points.
The Pistons are 5-point favorites at home in this crucial contest, as they can put the Celtics behind in a series for the first time during this postseason run. The Celtics are going to need a massive game from their “Big Three”, as the odds are not with Boston's substitutes having a breakout game in Detroit. If the Pistons can maintain their level of intensity from Game 2, look for HYPERLINK "http://betonline.com/sports-odds/basketball_nba.asp" Detroit to win Game 3 by a comfortable margin.
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