FanHouse

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Pistons-Magic Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 this evening.

1. Where Time Stands Still: Maybe tonight we'll actually play the game for the correct amount of time, huh? I know, I know, much ado about nothing. But the impact on this game could be considerable if the Magic come out fighting mad. The Magic shot the lights out in the third quarter of Game 2 before falling back off into the void in the fourth, and still managed to keep the game close to the very end where they lost because the Pistons had a three point lead (kind-of) and the refs called a rather questionable foul on Keyon Dooling. This isn't to say the Pistons wouldn't have won anyway, I have every confidence they would have. But it doesn't change the fact that if you're on the Magic, you have to have at least a glimmer of confidence heading back to the friendly confines of the Magic Kingdom. If the Magic can use Game 3 as their proverbial rallying point, it might give them the boost they need to get past Detroit's defense which has been, well ...

2. Stingy As All Get Out: No, the Pistons aren't leading the playoff teams in opponents' field goal percentage. Philadelphia's unheralded and momentary uprising cut that thing off at the knees before the playoffs had even barely gotten started. But they're still holding teams to 41.9% shooting and only 31 makes a game. In news that will shock and amaze you, the problem with Detroit is not stopping their streaky, inconsistent offense. It's getting past the gauntlet. The Magic did a better job in Game 2 of getting out in transition like I called for, but they would be better served by working to create good quality shots instead of blindly hoping for threes to fall like manna from the heavens. Let me put it this way. Whatever Detroit decides to give you? It's probably poisoned.

3. He Was He, But The Do Was Not Did: Hedo Turkoglu developed what some are describing as a "hero complex" at the end of Game 2 and forced some bad shots. Personally, I stick with what I said before Game 2. Hedo Turkoglu is your best option to attack the Pistons. They know it. That's why he's facing double teams. That's why they're trying to rough him up. That's why they're going at his confidence. I'm not suggesting ramming your head into a brick wall, but you do need to dance with what "brung ya here." And that was Hedo Turkoglu hitting big shots.

4. Making The Extraordinary Ordinary: The Pistons have been doing it for years, taking the wind out of the sails of the biggest stars in the NBA. LeBron and DWade are the only two to survive their wrath. Now Dwight Howard is shackled. How? Jason Maxiell says it's all about getting low. I think it has more to do with hitting him high. The Pistons have sent a pretty clear message. "No dunks, big boy." If Howard wants to have the monster breakout game, he's going to have find a way to overpower one of the strongest frontcourts in the league. He can't keep going to the line in this series for the Magic to be efficient.

5. Just Keep Doin' What You're Doin': That' should pretty much be the Pistons motto. They've contained the Magic's three point hotness for 7 of 8 quarters, shut down on the two slashing forwards, frustrated the unstoppable manchild, bamboozled Jameer Nelson and Keith Bogans, and even managed to score outside of time. They've gotten Chauncey Billups involved, have been supported by the bench, have Theo freaking Ratliff talking smack, and have even managed to not make Flip Saunders look completely useless in a playoff series. Seriously, if you're the Pistons, roll in, play your game, see if you can nudge a win out to finish this thing quick and easy. If not, eh. You're Detroit. You can always turn it on again. We'll go with that. For now.