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story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=ScoutingCavaliersPistons-Game2
Scouts Inc. update: Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 2
Thorpe
By David Thorpe
Scouts Inc.
(Archive)
Insider
Updated: May 24, 2007
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‧ Cavs-Pistons series scouting report | Series page
LeBron James made the right play at the end of Game 1. There is little debate
within my circle of NBA coaches and executives. We like that coach Mike Brown
put Donyell Marshall in that spot considering that his other options were a
combined 1-for-9 from 3-point land and Marshall was coming off that huge game
against New Jersey. I'm sure Marshall, James and Brown all felt he would
knock the shot down.
As I wrote in the series preview, the winner of this matchup likely will be
the team that knocks down more open jumpers. Need proof? The Cavs
outrebounded Detroit by eight, had nine less turnovers, shot as many free
throws as Detroit did, and still lost.
Cleveland being a missed 3-pointer away from stealing Game 1 is a testament
to its defensive prowess, because they only made 32 of 86 field-goal
attempts. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Larry Hughes and Marshall missed open shots
late, while Chauncey Billups hit two late 3s -- the last one with less than
two minutes to play, giving the Pistons the lead.
Ballgame.
It's obvious that Cleveland needs more from LeBron, but what can they do?
Actually, the Cavs may have already figured out an answer. Early in Game 1,
it became apparent that Rasheed Wallace was acting as a designated center
fielder, with the task of running at James once he put the ball down and got
to an important spot on the floor. Wallace's length and basketball IQ made it
tough on James to get an easy shot at the basket; Sheed's angles of pursuit
were perfect.
Forcing James into a jump shooter is what every team hopes for, but it
requires an excellent tandem, which Prince and Wallace are. Getting James off
his game allowed Coach Saunders to put Carlos Delfino on James without any
harm when Prince was resting. Delfino just played him topside and forced him
to the baseline where he knew Wallace was helping.
Wallace's man too often stayed high, with Detroit's guards nearby, or he dove
inside, where he ran into a posting Ilgauskas, allowing Big Z's man to defend
both post players.
But in the fourth quarter, Cleveland kept the post clear and had Wallace's
man head straight to the rim while Ilgauskas stayed high. The Cavs were able
to score on some dunks and easy jumpers, so we can expect a different
strategy on James in Game 2.
As for James, he needs to convert easy opportunities in transition and
initiate contact with Prince on his drives to get to the free-throw line. He
had zero attempts in Game 1. As expected, Prince's defensive prowess caused
James some problems, and Wallace just made it that much more difficult. The
Pistons' length is tough to beat at the rim, so James should go to his
mid-range game. Not at 18 feet, but 10-15 feet.
The Pistons, despite winning, are caught in a bit of a conundrum. They take
pride in being a grind-it-out team on offense, slowing the pace and
shortening the game while maximizing each possession with excellent
efficiency and balanced scoring. But a shortened game, matched up against
Cleveland's outstanding defense and a talent like James, means the games
likely will be very tight; an extra made shot here or there could translate
into a victory for Cleveland.
The Pistons got many of their best looks early in their offense, and made
them late in the game. So, do the Pistons push tempo a little more in hopes
of freeing up their shooters while trying to score enough to create a working
margin? Or do they stay with the status quo, and hope for another missed 3 at
the buzzer?
Either way, they will need a sharper Billups. Yes he made some clutch shots,
but Hughes and the Cavs' hyperaware help defenders constantly got their hands
on his passes or dribbles. His seven turnovers would have made him goat No. 1
had Marshall connected. I look for Cleveland to continue to harass and trap
Billups in the hopes of upsetting that efficient Pistons attack.
Each team is more aware now of how to score against each other, so I do not
expect every game to look like Game 1. But knowing how to score and actually
doing it are not the same thing. Detroit should do a better job on the
offensive glass in Game 2 (an improvement was seen in the second half of Game
1) and will throw more surprises at James.
LeBron should have a strong bounce-back game, perhaps getting that
triple-double while scoring 25 or so. But I still don't like Cleveland's
chances of having a strong shooting night until they get home. I see Game 2
ending like Game 1 -- Detroit making an extra open shot or two to hang on and
win
PREDICTION: Detroit wins Game 2
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