May
17
THE SIX DEGREES OF GAME SIX
Filed Under Chicago Bulls
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN GAME SIX!
I’ve officially got butterflies in my stomach here as the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons are set to tip-off in less than two hours. Chicago has made this a series, thanks to a hot-shooting performance in Game Five, while the Pistons have seemed to get in their traditional playoff malaise where they turn it off for a couple of games. As I’m rushing home from work, here’s a quick post on the keys for Game Six (pictures will be on their way after the game).
1. Effort in the First Quarter: The United Center is going to be rocking as the Bulls have given their fans at least one more home game. Can Chicago come out early with the same type of precision as in Game Five? Chicago needs Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon to be aggressive early and get some shots to fall. As for Detroit, they need to come out ready to go. The first quarter may be all about weathering the crowd for the Pistons, who can do themselves some good by getting Rasheed Wallace some early touches in the post. What Pistons team will come out to play?
2. Chauncey Billups & Ben Gordon: Which one of these guys is in foul trouble tonight? Hopefully none. Both teams lose so much when these guys aren’t on the floor. Billups is Detroit’s only true point guard. When he was saddled with his fourth foul early in the third quarter in Game Five, Chicago exploded and put the game away. The Bulls still haven’t been able to stop Billups when he’s been on the floor. Chicago needs Gordon to have another big scoring night, which means staying out of foul trouble. Gordon will be likely guarding Rip Hamilton again and have to work off screens on defense all night.
3. The Chicago Screen and Roll: Kirk Hinrich needs to continue to use the pick-and-roll to be aggressive, get into the lane and break down the Detroit defense. Hinrich has played well off the pick-and-pop game in the last two games after being extremely hesitant in the Bulls’ three losses. Detroit needs to hedge better off of those screens and try to force Hinrich to detour off the path to the basket. P.J. Brown was tremendous with the mid-range jumper in Game Five. Can he continue to give Chicago a big lift tonight with his shooting off the screen and roll?
4. Rebounding: Detroit stayed in Game Five during the first half by getting to the offensive boards and has had its way on the boards throughout the series. Second-chances and extended possessions by Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess could be the difference in favor of the Pistons tonight if the game is close. Chicago needs Ben Wallace to have a strong game on the boards from start to finish. Chicago’s Wallace struggled on the glass in the first half of Game Five. In addition to having another big scoring night, Luol Deng needs to continue to rebound well, especially on the offensive glass.
5. The Wallaces: Rasheed Wallace has been out of-sorts in the last two games and needs to get back to his dominating defensive capabilities, as seen in the first three games. Take the ball inside Rasheed and then let that game open up the three-ball. Ben Wallace must come out with some big-time hustle and energy. If he can keep some possessions alive early in the first quarter, the Chicago crowd will be that much louder. If a close game in the fourth quarter, Ben Wallace will need to keep hitting his free throws as he has done for the most part this year in the playoffs.
6. Bench: Detroit has gotten solid contributions from McDyess all series. Besides that, the bench has been quiet since Game One. Jason Maxiell’s tenacity on the boards could play an important role in the rebounding battle. Chicago’s bench was superb throughout Game Five. Can Tyrus Thomas continue to spark the Bulls with his athleticism? Will Duhon be looking for his shot tonight? Will the real Andres Nocioni ever show up in this series?
We shall see what happens!
Related Posts
- STAYING ALIVE IN GAME FIVE?
- BULLS-PISTONS GAME TWO PREVIEW
- FOUR-GET ABOUT IT!
- Chicago Bulls versus Milwaukee Bucks: Game Preview
- FORMULA FOR A HISTORIC UPSET!