Should Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and the rest of the gang come back from the 90's, then the Chicago Bulls might still have a chance. But since this is not going to happen, the Detroit Pistons look very well on their way to sweep their second round assignment and face whoever will win in the Cavaliers / Nets series (currently standing at Cle 2, NJN 0).
The Bulls squandered a 19 point lead in the 3rd quarter by getting outrebounded and producing only 8 of 22 (33.7%) from the field. But most of all, credit goes to Chauncey Billups, whose timely 3 point shots (3 of 8), and general heads up play in the 2nd half kept his team in the game, producing 21 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Rasheed Wallace, whose 3 point shot rang true in the dying seconds of the 3rd quarter brought the score to 61-60, also contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Tayshaun Prince topscored for the game with 23 points and also 11 rebounds.
The Bulls looked good on paper, with 4 of their starts shooting and rebounding in the double figures, but just couldn't shoot the ball in the 2nd half. Their average for the game: 33.7%, is nearly the same as that of their first two games: 33.6%.
(more...)