The NBA playoffs continue tonight with game 4 between the Spurs and Jazz (another must-win for the Jazz), but before I delve into that, lets look back at the previous night's Cavs-Pistons game. Being a Detroit resident, I watched the local news stations promote this game, and one of their reporters said that a Piston win was practically a given. What struck me as odd was he also said "The Pistons have learned from the past not to take the Cavs lightly, and they should win tonight.". Well, they didn't get the job done, and even more dangerously, they have given LeBron James confidence that he can take (and make) the clutch shots at the end. Witness his posterizing dunk on Rasheed Wallace, his big three pointer, and the clinching jumper that had Rasheed wondering if he should stay with his man or help out on LeBron. I'm not saying the series is going to shift (Detroit should win) but they don't seem to take very seriously any team until they have to. Think of it like the Lakers ealier in the decade; the Pistons flip the switch only when it humors them. Remember last year as well; they blew a 2-0 lead against this same team, letting them win three straight, before winning the last two. You know what they say; play with fire, you'll eventually get burned. As for tonight's game, it hinges on the status of Jazz PG Deron Williams, who missed practice with a stomach ailment yesterday. Williams was the key guy in Utah's blowout win the other night, and the offense will surely suffer if he can't play, since Derek Fisher has been the two-guard in his offense, and if he has to shift, Gordon Giricek would be forced to start (a scary proposition). Looking at it objectively, Tim Duncan probably won't have another off game, and I've seen Memhet Okur in action; he is not consistent on defense. Duncan will have a good game, and Tony Parker will likely challenge Williams (if he plays) or Fisher with his drives to the hoop, and I see the Spurs winning tonight, then finishing the Jazz off in game 5. Getting back to Detroit, they probably will jack off game 4, then kick it back into gear at the Palace in their game 5. The Pistons win the series in 6, then the world can yawn at another Spurs-Pistons final. Gives you thrills, doesn't it? Oh well, at least it beats the lame finals in hockey and yesterday's Indy 415, er, 500, huh?