
Will the Pistons "flip the switch" in this series or will they revert back to their nonchalant play?
Will it matter?
Will this be the year that the championship window that has seemingly been open for the past four seasons slams shut?
I think so.
Keys for Orlando
1. Force feed Dwight Howard.
Rasheed Wallace can't stop him. Neither can Jason Maxiell or Antonio McDyess.
Howard led the NBA in rebounds, double-doubles, was 5th in blocks, and 3rd in field goal percentage this season in establishing himself as the best center in the game.
Detroit doesn't have the kryptonite for 'Superman'.
2. Let Rasheed fire up all the 3-pointers his heart desires
Which shouldn't be too difficult because unfortunately, Sheed prefers to play behind the arc anyways.
With Dwight Howard down low, can you blame him?
Aside from LeBron James, Wallace is the most talented player in the NBA. As he goes, so do the Pistons.
No wonder they suffer from so many mental lapses.
3. Exploit their mismatches
Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton have difficulty defending swingmen with size (LeBron James anyone?). Orlando has two of the most versatile guard/forwards in the league in Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.
Turkoglu has been a reliable playoff performer since his days with the Kings and I expect him to be a HUGE factor in this series.
The Magic have an advantage in three of the five starting positions (Howard, Hedo, & Lewis).
The Pistons have an advantage at point guard and a deeper bench but Big Shot Billups won't be enough to propel Detroit to a 6th straight conference finals appearance.
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