http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/ story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=ScoutingCavaliersPistons-Game5 Scouts Inc. update: Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 Thorpe By David Thorpe Scouts Inc. (Archive) Insider Updated: May 31, 2007 * Comment * Email * Print ‧ Cavs-Pistons series scouting report | Series page The prevailing tenet among NBA "experts" and analysts is that when Detroit is focused, it is an elite team. But I stopped subscribing to that when Detroit failed to close out Chicago in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semis. At that point, I realized that, unlike a team like San Antonio, Detroit is simply not capable of sustaining consistent levels of excellent play. Whether it is poor offensive output, shoddy rebounding, or lackluster defense, something often goes wrong for the Pistons. This is who they are, and it is time for them to face the truth. For the second consecutive year they are in danger of losing to the Cavs. And, in the big picture, they are not (yet?) in the same class as San Antonio. Unlike most teams, admitting this should serve as a rallying point for the Pistons and help them lock in as best as they can for the remainder of the playoffs. Being locked in does not guarantee a solid night of shooting or fewer turnovers, so they are still vulnerable, but it is a better place for them to be in mentally than believing that they just need to clean up a few things to become NBA champions. That they are a flawed team is OK, as long as they play with passion and pride in recognition that anything less than their best effort will not be good enough. I sense that some players are beginning to understand this, while others keep thinking they have nothing to worry about. Detroit's reluctance to allow the game to go more up-tempo puts more pressure on the Pistons to score efficiently, a strength for them all season. However, Cleveland was more efficient at home in Game 4, scoring 91 points on just 68 shots while Detroit managed 87 on 75. The question of whether Cleveland can shoot as well on the road as it did at home is still unanswered, but Detroit is playing a dangerous game if it plays the same as it has all series and hopes that Cleveland shoots poorly. I would hope the Pistons plan on scoring 90 or more points by trying all their weapons early and then refining that attack by ignoring "balance" in favor of whoever is performing best. If Chris Webber, for example, struggles early, his touches and shots will diminish as the game progresses. But if he has an impact early, like he did in Game 3, then he'll play a more significant role late. Rasheed Wallace seems like the one player who can have his way with Cleveland on both ends of the court, getting his turnaround jumper off with ease on offense and impacting (or blocking) many shots on defense. But curiously, he often seems disengaged on offense and becomes a spectator on that side of the ball for long stretches. Detroit normally runs everything through Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (with a side of Tayshaun Prince), but might be better served by going through Wallace all game. If Cleveland is forced to start doubling him, it might open up lanes and spaces for the Pistons' perimeter guys and could help them start shooting better. Prince, Rip, and Billups are shooting 30.3, 40.2, and 38.6 percent respectively for the series. Cleveland's size and discipline on defense are clearly impacting Detroit's perimeter guys. For Cleveland, which feels that with just a tiny bit of luck it already could be in the Finals with a sweep, playing a stronger third quarter is a big focus. The Cavs have been crushed in that period in every game, but came up clutch in the fourth quarter in Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland. After failing late in Detroit in Games 1 and 2, they know that avoiding "must baskets" in the last minute by stronger play in the minutes prior is a good recipe for success on the road. The responsibility for playing better in the third falls mostly to their star -- LeBron James was horrid in the third quarter of Game 4, missing all six of his shots. Four of those shots came 18 feet and out. He had no free throws attempted, and no rebounds either. He simply must perform better than that. James is often focused on playing within a team concept -- one reason he is so spectacular -- but his team must reverse that in Game 5 to get over the third-quarter hump. The team should play within the LeBron James "concept," allowing him to attack with no conscience and trusting that he still will make the right passes when Detroit blankets him. Getting him to the free-throw line would be one result of this tactic. If Cleveland enjoys another great night from Drew Gooden and Daniel Gibson, the pressure on James to score 30 or more points is lessened. But if they struggle, James must not just look for a big third period but for a 35-plus-point game overall. As each game has been decided by the better shooting team, it is difficult to project Game 5. Gibson's play in Cleveland was key, and he is a better offensive player than Larry Hughes. But to predict he'll play as well in Detroit is another matter. Billups is such a masterful veteran. It is equally difficult to think that he will not break out of his slump, knowing that this is a "must" game for Detroit. The Pistons take pride in winning "must" games, so I look for their best effort in Game 5. But in Cleveland's mind, it is the better team. The Cavs know they just have to win one road game. The winner of Game 5 likely takes the series, so I give a slight edge to Detroit and its veteran guards. But if Gibson or Sasha Pavlovic gets hot, a Cleveland win will not surprise anyone. PREDICTION: Detroit wins Game 5 -- I WANT TO STAND WITH YOU ON A MOUNTAIN I WANT TO BATHE WITH YOU IN THE SEA I WANT TO LAY LIKE THIS FOREVER UNTIL THE SKY FALLS DOWN ON ME --

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