The Boston Celtics have taken a 3-2 series lead after beating the Detroit Pistons 106-102 in what was by far the most compelling game of an otherwise dull-edged matchup. The Celts finally got a great performance by Ray Allen (29 points, 9-15 including 5 threes) and got the best performance of his career out of young Kendrick Perkins (18 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks), plus a good game from Kevin Garnett (33 points and 7 boards), but they almost let their guard down and blew this game. Still, it wasn't enough for Detroit to pull out the win.

The refereeing in this game wasn't good (trying to be politically correct here). The flagrent foul on P.J. Brown against Jason Maxiell was a bad call, and the tehcnical on Perkins must have harkened back to the "zero tolerence' policy; if Perkins did something wrong, it wasn't readily apparent to me. The officiating has been poor throughout the playoffs, mostly in favor of the home team, but it seemed like Ed F. Rush, Ken Mauer (or as I call him, a "Grease" reject) and Mike Callahan were a little slanted towards Detroit. We'll have to see how it goes in game 6.

The Pistons have to be disappointed in the loss, but there were a few positives. Rasheed Wallace had an out-of-body experience; he hit SIX of his nine 3-point attempts! But he was 0-3 from two, and he didn't stop Perkins from asserting himself on the boards, where the C's had a 42-25 edge (11-5 on offense rebounds). Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups combined for 51 points, and the Pistons did make the C's defense look bad numerous times. Plus, the Celtics seemed unable to pass the ball, especially Rajon Rondo; a lot of his passes looked like that teardrop he puts up often!

So, who wins game 6? I give Detroit the edge here; (hopefully) you won't see the complacent Pistons, for their sakes. This team needs to win, or major changes (Flip Saunders will be gone for sure, and players like Wallace and Antonio McDyess could be as well) will occur. Plus, Garnett, Pierce and Allen have a combined one closeout game experience (for their team) in the conference finals (Allen in 2001, and he lost), so they could be nervous. I give it to Detroit.

Final thoughts:

It was great that, except for the argument over flagrents, Jeff Van Gundy was subdued by his standards. I didn't have to mute the TV.

The Celtic bench had just 3 points (on a three by James Posey). That must be rectified if they want to close out in Detroit.

McDyess was plagued by fouls and had just 4 points and 5 boards. Coincidece they lost? I think not.

You know hell has frozen over when Rasheed looks like Reggie Miller from three!

How about Rodney Stuckey missing an important FT, then hitting the intentional miss? #### happens, doesn't it?

Another reason the Pistons are having problems? Tayshaun Prince isn't a factor (8 points, 4 boards). Granted, he has to guard Pierce, but Prince needs to make his presence known on offense in game 6.