Detroit in 5
and although it hurts being a Mavs fan: Suns in 7

Historically, teams that are rested lose the first game. I just hope Detroit doesn't completely trounce Miami and become complacent. Again.

Boo!

Miami wins by 5

Didn't watch the game. But I guess it should be better in game 2

Pistons looked worse than any game they played against the Cavs and still had a shot to win it (they were up by 5 near the end of the 3rd quarter). I still think the Pistons win it in 6. The Pistons can't play much worse than that, and Miami can't play much better (they shot the lights out).

It was extremely painful to watch. There goes my shot at seeing Pistons win the round in person.

I thought the stupidest thing I saw this game was Miami going to the hack-a-Ben strategy with about 3 minutes left and up by 9. I think that's a low strategy... especially coming from them (victim's of hack-a-Shaq). Just play the damn game.

So Toronto got the #1 draft pick. I'm happy, but a little disappointed it didn't come on a year with a Shaq or Lebron or something. There isn't really a clear cut pick, no superstar.

It's still good though.

Check out the ratings for the games. Even the Clippers/Suns series got better ratings then the Pistons/Cavs, pathetic. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_ma ... le,00.html

I don't really care about ratings for sporting events, but it's possibly because Pistons/Cavs was in the east and aired earlier. Like during prime time.

Definitely was a HUGE factor. The Pistons had to compete with shows like Lost and American Idol in the East, and the games started at 4-5pm in the West. It really hurt on both coasts.

Typically the Pistons are not bad rating draws when it comes to finals. But I don't root for a team, or against a team based on the ratings.

Nothing makes sense to me anymore. How does Phoenix keep winning????????????

Is it possible I know less about basketball than I think I do?

If it is a Heat vs. Phoenix finals I'll be bored.

Sad thing is that Suns didnt even play that great. Their outside shots were less then stellar, but they got tons of fast break points and were able to get into the pain quite easy. What a great job Suns did by getting Diaw.

I only saw bits and pieces of the game, but from what I saw I think that it's just one of those cases where Phoenix matches up well against Dallas. I also think Dallas needs to play some more defense... they're not going to outshoot the Suns. I still think that the Mavs will win the series, but the Suns have made me look stupid a few times, so I'm not so confident.

Everybody in the media is hyping this Pistons game tonight as a must win for the Pistons, or their season is over. I think it's very important, but it's hardly the end if they lose. If I've learned anything about the Pistons - or the playoffs this year - to never count a team out until it's over.

Raja Bell is out 5-7 days so Suns got their work cut out for them.

I'm pretty sure the Pistons are trying to give me a heart attack! They were killing the Heat the entire game, and then gave up 17 points in the last 1:50 and barely held onto the win. That was a weird finish.

I don't think they'll have a problem stealing one in Miami, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get both.

Yeah, amazing comeback by the Heat, but not enough obviously. That steal from Wade at the end was pretty sweet...

Talk about a 2 men team. Shaq and Wade brought it, but where was everyone else? Again, this team is showing it's inconsistency.

Heat could win this series if Shaq and Wade got more help, but no other play on that team can be consistent on a day to day basis.

I think both teams can point to things like this, though. Chauncey Billups has been a shell of his normal self over the past 6 games. He had 0 points at the half. Rasheed Wallace has been playing like dog shit 90% of the time. And Detroit's bench scored a whopping 3 points in the win last night. So, I see a lot of room for improvement for both teams.

If one of these teams starts clicking, then it's over. However, I do think some of this has to do with the defense on both sides. These aren't easy no defense games like we're seeing out in the Western Conference.

Heat 2-1
Mavs 2-1

But I still believe the Suns and (especially) the Pistons have more than an outside chance to win the series

Suns better get the next game, or it's OVER

Mavs & Heat are only 2 wins away from meeting in the Finals. w00t! w00t!

If the Mav and the Heat win... it might be the worst final ever

yeah cause Mavs will sweep.

I guess im cool with Heat winning it if it happens, i'd like to see Payton with a ring.

The Pistons just don't look like the same old Pistons this year. Miami wants it more, and the Pistons are starting to show cracks in the team unity that always powered them to victory. I hate to count them out as they play their best with their backs to the wall, but it's starting to look like Shaq will get some revenge against the team that sent him packing 2 years in a row.