Celtics-Pistons Series Preview

Just the same way that Celtic fans really want the Lakers in the finals, the matchup that inspires the most nostalgia and the best basketball for the conference finals has been this one all along - the two teams with the best records from the regular season, and with a brief but violent past. Boston and Detroit tip it off in the Eastern Conference Finals starting tomorrow night (and thankfully running every other day for the duration).

The history here is best defined by Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, one of the most memorable seven game affairs in NBA Playoff history, and another one of those "home team wins every game" deals. The lineups from that era are still etched in stone in the memories of not just Celtics/Pistons fans, but basketball fans in general: DJ, Ainge, Bird, McHale and Parish against Isaiah, Dumars, Dantley, Rodman, and Laimbeer. The Celtics dominated the Eastern Conference in the early and mid 80s, winning the title in 1981 and then going to the Finals four straight years from 1984-1987. But by 87, the Pistons had emerged as a real threat to the Celtics. They came up just short thanks to "and now there's a steal by Bird!" in Game 5, and the Adrian Dantley-Vinnie Johnson headbutt of doom in Game 7. But the following year, the Pistons gained unlikely revenge winning the conference finals in six, including taking two games in Boston in what's probably Larry Bird's worst playoff series of his career. That set up the first of three straight Pistons trips to the Finals, and Bird would soon be out of the league with injury.

What makes it even more exciting was the level of violence in those series - especially in 1987, where Bird and Laimbeer were ejected for fighting in Game 3, and then Parish received the first playoff suspension in NBA history for straight up punching Laimbeer in Game 5. Johnny Most, the legendary Celtics play by play man, had this to say live after the Laimbeer/Bird incident in Game 3:

"And there is a violent, violent knockdown by Laimbeer, and Bird just crashes! The yellow, gutless way they do things here! They have been called a dirty ballclub, and I can see why! This is a typical, typical display, a disgusting display by Rodman, Laimbeer, and Isaiah Thomas!"

You can see the Game 3 incident starting at the 0:45 mark here:




...and the classic end of Game 5 here:



Now, of course, this was 21 years ago and it means nothing on paper today. But the history is there. And when you combine it with what is on the court today, you have the potential for greatness.

They may not be the Bad Boys, but these Pistons will trot an equally impressive lineup onto the floor: Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess. And so while you won't see LeBron this time around, you will see what is without a doubt the best starting five in the NBA. Detroit has been to the Eastern Conference Finals six years in a row now, and there's a reason. Even this season, with the East much improved, they sported the second best record in the NBA behind Boston.

In three meetings this year, first the Pistons went into Boston and became the first team to win there, 87-85 on December 19, behind 12 4th quarter points from Billups, including two free throws with 0.1 left to win it. Boston returned the favor in Detroit (see, we can win there) in a 92-85 win that was the arrival of Big Baby Davis, who scored 20 points to lead the C's. In the rubber match, Boston won 90-78 at home to take the season series, behind 31 points from KG and a stunning 20 rebounds from Kendrick Perkins.

Look, based on what we've seen, you should expect seven. But for Boston, they can't have all these irregularities. Pierce isn't going to score 41 every night, no doubt, but against this lineup and this experience, the Celtics absolutely need Rondo, Ray Allen, and somebody in the paint to show up every single game. A two man effort will probably get you swept.

Boston will be tired, but confident. And confidence is so incredibly important. Detroit will be poised...but poise didn't get them past LeBron last year. So maybe the Pistons are more ready this time around and the Celtics don't have the firepower. But what I also expect is that you'll get a Game 7 atmosphere every time out in this one. You may not see fistfights...but you will see high energy and drama.

That being said...I'm sticking with Boston. Home court advantage is worth more than gas these days, and that'll certainly help. And yeah, I still want to see Boston go into Detroit and win one, and if the C's lose Game 1 or 2 it could be very damaging to a potentially fragile team. But Boston keeps finding a way at home, and that's been enough so far. Two good things, but I think Boston keeps rising to the occasion and keeps finding a way to play better as they play deeper. More drama to this already great NBA season, which you'll see again tonight in New Orleans...but I'll take CELTICS IN SEVEN.