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Sunday, May 30, 2004 at Conseco Fieldhouse
Detroit Pistons 83, Indiana Pacers 65
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| PHOTO GALLERY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| POSTGAME QUOTES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
On establishing an inside presence:“Every game we go into we try to establish an inside presence. When we take a lot of threes we tend to fail. When they changed their lineup with Austin the last game, that helped them on the offensive end. Our goal tonight was to put him in situations where he would have to work on defense." On Jermaine O’Neal: "He looked like he struggled. It was pretty impressive that he played at all tonight. I know a lot of guys who would not be able to play the way I imagine he is hurting. He was certainly limited and it helped us. He’s such an offensive power especially in the post. He’s a big part of their offense, especially when they go small. It hurt them not having their best player at full strength." On Richard Hamilton: "Rip has been so consistent throughout the playoffs. When a guy like him starts scoring like he did tonight, the defense reacts and that gives other guys opportunities." On playing zone: "We got in foul trouble in the first half and we went zone to buy us some time. It threw them off a little and forced some poor shots. Fortunately we closed out the half without many more fouls. The zone really helped us.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pistons Forward Tayshaun Prince
On bouncing back after Game 4:“We didn’t have a choice. We had to go out and play hard. We got off to a good start offensively and I thought we came out real aggressive.” On Richard Hamilton: “He’s been doing this all series long and not just against Indiana. He really responded tonight. He was unbelievable. He really did it for us tonight in Game 5. We have to come out like we did tonight, aggressively and pushing the offense, especially it being at home.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pistons Forward Rasheed Wallace
On the difference between Game 4 and Game 5:“Tonight we tried not to let them score as much in the paint. In Detroit the other night I think they outscored us by like 16 or 18 points in the paint. That was an emphasis for tonight’s game in practice yesterday and today." On adjusting their defense for Austin Croshere: "We just came out and played him like a normal guy. We figured that they would try and wear him out on us, especially with the success that he had last game. So we were basically more aware of him." On Game 6: "I think we’ll be more focused because there is a lot more at stake. We realize that they can beat us at our place and I just think the coaches will have us more mentally prepared for that game on Tuesday." On Jermaine O’Neal’s injury: "It seemed so. He seemed affected by it. I asked him before the game about it, even though we try to beat each other up all night, we are still friends and I’m still concerned about him.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pistons Guard Richard Hamilton
On him being the focus of the game plan:“I don’t think so. We just wanted to come out here and hit them first. We definitely did not want to let them get off to a good start like they did last game. I think that was the difference between the two games." On the turnaround from Game 4: "I think it was our mental approach. Last game we came out a little bit relaxed and in a game of this magnitude we can’t afford to do that. Friday I don’t think we were playing as one unit. We were playing more like five separate individuals." On staying focused for Game 6: "I think we’ll be a lot moiré prepared. We know where we want to go and we know what we need to do to get there. Our goal is the NBA Finals and there is no better feeling than to win a big game at home. The fans in Detroit are going to be crazy, we know that and we don’t want to let them down.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle
“I take the blame for this one. The guys were not ready. Jermaine did not get enough shots and that’s my fault. Detroit played the kind of game they can play from start to finish. They were very determined. I’m disappointed in myself for not conveying to the guys how urgent this game was. We were unselfish in the last game but had to be even more unselfish tonight. We played hard in the last game but had to play even harder tonight. We’ve got a choice. We’ve got to dig down and get through this or we’ll go home. It’s as simple as that. This is the first time many of these guys have been here. Detroit has been here, we haven’t, and it showed tonight. We’ve won there before, we’ll find a way again.”
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Pacers Center Jermaine O'Neal
On his knee:“They didn’t drain it, it’s just an injury. I’ve lost some mobility but I will just have to deal with it. They came out very aggressive and we didn’t. We didn’t share the ball a lot and we didn’t help on defense a lot." On Rip Hamilton: "He did a great job and was truly a big factor in this game. The series isn’t over. It’s on to Detroit and we will find out what type of team we have in a day or so. There is no tomorrow, we must produce now." On facing Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace: "They just must get the ball in to me and let me do what I can. I don’t care who guards me, I will give it my best.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacers Guard Reggie Miller
“We just didn’t bring our A-level game and made it hard on ourselves. We lost our principles of the game and when they go out the window, you struggle. Playoff games create emotions and when emotions were high, I thought they (referees) missed a few calls and I let them know. We must collect ourselves together and play the type of basketball we’ve played in the past.”
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Pacers Guard Anthony Johnson
On his brief flu:“It had no effect on my performance tonight. Tonight was a very disappointing loss and probably James Naismith was probably turning over in his grave as a response to the way we played this game tonight. We did not play very well at any aspect of the game. Basketball is a very simple game and we made it very tough tonight. We have our work cut out for us; and the first and most important game is Tuesday in Detroit. They are a very tough basketball team and we will have to be better prepared than we were tonight.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
