5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Pistons at Sixers, Game 4 - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Pistons-Sixers game today.

1. You Can Exert That Poise Anytime, Fellas: Before the series it was a no-brainer that the Pistons would obliterate this young Sixers squad. They had the experience, they had the talent, they had the killer instinct. Well, down 2-1 and on the road in Philly for Game 4, the Pistons are still maintaining they have the mental edge. If they're going to exert it, now would be a good time. This is being described as a must-win by Pistons fans. If the Sixers come out and out-class the class of the Central division, it's curtain call time.

2. Told Ya. Sammy: Before Game 3, I said Samuel Dalembert has to make an impact if the Sixers were going to win that game. He poured in 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks. That's the formula for closing out this series. The Sixers took Game 1 where Dalembert was quiet and Rasheed Wallace was loud. Now they've taken one where Dalembert played his game. If the Sixers can blow the doors off the hinges and use their game in the paint to punctuate the momentum, the Sixers will be in position to sweep the leg.

3. I'm All Out Of Iggy Puns: Andre Iguodala is FAIL. Averaging 10 points in this series, he's pretty much losing dollars every second of this series. But he's had three bad games, now would be a great time to recoup and light up the Sixers. That means getting some separation on Tayshaun Prince, though, who's not exactly a pushover. The best option for the Sixer might be to have Iguodala come off off-the-ball screens for cuts and jumpers. He's not going to be able to create the separation he wants with Prince or Rip Hamilton chasing. And they need offense tonight.

4. Amir Illusion: Amir Johnson provided a major energy boost in Game 2 off the bench, which helped the Pistons even the series. So what did Flip Saunders do in Game 3? 5 minutes. Nice, coach. That's likely to change with Antonio McDyess out with a broken nose, but Saunders needs to depend on his young bench to carry this squad if the starters keep playing without fire or poise.

5. Deee-troit-Butter-Fingers: The Pistons are losing the turnover battle. And without the, you know, huge leads they were expecting to have, that makes a little bit of a difference. It's likely that if the Pistons can come out and play efficient, mistake-free ball, they can get the Sixers to capitulate. If they don't, however, if they continue to give the Sixers balls to scrap for, mistakes to capitalize on, and ways to even the talent gap, the Pistons will be forced into a "Who wants it more?" game. And right now? That answer won't make the Pistons very happy.