By Dan Savage
May 30, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
It's safe to say that Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers are much happier now than they were this time last year, after the Celtics eliminated the Pistons to advance to The Finals on Friday. David Dow/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"We don't want the silver ball. We want the gold ball. That's what we're playing for."
-- Celtics coach Doc Rivers, on enjoying the Celtics series-clinching win over the Pistons, but still keeping his eye on the main prize.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Friday's top play: Watch as Paul Pierce gets the hoop and the harm.
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NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
If your Drive to the Finals lineup is still going strong, you probably don’t need any help. But for the first-timers out there and those wondering what to do next, here’s some advice. The key to pulling out a championship down the stretch is to remember you’re in The Finals. There’s no reason to save any of the players, because regardless of who wins and who loses this puppy is over when The Finals end. Now, it’s all about choosing the right player on the right night. In Game 1, I’ve got the feeling it’s going to be Kevin Garnett’s night.
SHOOTING STUDS
Paul Pierce, Celtics89-81 win at Pistons
27 pts, 8-12 FG
Richard Hamilton, Pistons
89-81 loss vs. Celtics
21 pts, 9-14 FG, 2-4 3-pt FG, 1-1 FT
Ray Allen, Celtics
89-81 win at Pistons
17 pts, 6-12 FG, 2-2 FT
STAT SHEET STUFFER
It didn’t turn out the way he wanted, but the 2008 Playoffs were very eventful for Richard Hamilton. Earlier in this campaign, he stuffed his career stat sheet by topping Isiah Thomas' mark for most playoff points as a Piston and surpassed Detroit legend Bill Laimbeer for most franchise playoff games played. Now, following his 21-point performance in Game 6, he also matched the total for most 20+ point playoff games since 2003 (73), tying Tim Duncan.
SHOOTING DUDS
Rasheed Wallace, Pistons89-81 loss vs. Celtics
4 pts, 2-12 FG, 0-6 3-pt FG
Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
89-81 loss vs. Celtics
10 pts, 3-10 FG
Rajon Rondo, Celtics
89-81 win at Pistons
11 pts, 5-13 FG, 0-2 3-pt FG
TOP 5 REASONS THE CELTICS ARE THE EAST CHAMPS
The Top 5 reasons the Celtics knocked off the Pistons:
5) They finally figured out how to win on the road. After failing to do so against Cleveland and Atlanta, Boston managed to pull off two victories in Detroit against one of the best home teams in basketball.
4) Outside of a disappointing Game 2, the C's stayed strong at home. Boston went undefeated on its homecourt in its first two series and didn’t blink after dropping one at the Garden.
3) After having a rough postseason, Ray Allen finally awoke for big performances in Games 5 and 6. The “Big Three” was starting to look more like a dynamic duo, but Allen pulled himself together in the final two games of the series, erupting for 29 points in Game 5 and posting 17 on Friday.
2) The Celtics figured out how to disrupt every aspect of Tayshaun Prince’s game. Boston held him to 6.3 points per game over the prior three contests and didn’t stop in Game 6. He struggled, going 3-of-10 from the field on Friday. Even after coming up with a crucial steal in the final minutes, he reverted back to his abnormal form as James Posey came from behind, swiping the ball straight out of his hands and dashing Detroit’s final hopes. The staple of Pistons’ basketball looked anything but against Boston.
1) Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. When you combine the “Truth” with the “Big Ticket” and put them against the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, you get 44 points per game and a 4-2 series victory.
A LEGENDARY RIVALRY RENEWED
There are few rivalries in all of sports with as much history as the one between the Lakers and Celtics. Dating back to the days of Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson or even further with legends like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy taking on Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, you could say these two squads have had some historical battles. So with The Finals rapidly approaching Thursday night in Boston, here are some of the key figures associated with their feud and a couple of interesting tidbits for this upcoming battle:
1) The two teams have met 10 times in the NBA Finals – this will be No. 11. The Celtics took the first eight matchups, while the Lakers grabbed the last two.
2) The Celtics own 16 NBA championships. The Lakers trail with 14.
3) It’s been 21 years since they’ve clashed in The Finals.
4) This series will be the first since the 1996 Finals to feature the reigning MVP (Kobe Bryant) and Defensive Player of the Year (Kevin Garnett). The last go-around spotlighted Michael Jordan vs. Gary Payton.
5) It’s the first time since 2000 that two No. 1 seeds are going head-to-head in The Finals. The last time, the Lakers were also involved, but squared off against the Indiana Pacers.
6) Boston legend Red Auerbach and Los Angeles’ head-honcho Phil Jackson share the coaching record for NBA championships with nine. Jackson will attempt to take full possession of the record from the franchise that Red built.
