I'm have no idea how this game will turn out, frankly. There are too many question marks:
Lakers' energy: the first question always seems to be, which Lakers team will show up? They played with more energy in game 2, but they still didn't look like the team that surprised the Spurs in game 3 of that series.
Now that they've snuck out a win, they might be due for another letdown, but I think the energy from Detroit's crowd will pick them up at least a little.
Malone's knee: Even if he suits up, Malone won't be playing too much in this game. That means the Lakers' PF will be filled by Slava Medvedenko and Luke Walton, possibly with an assist from Brian Cook.
Medvedenko and Walton would both improve the Lakers' offense, because Karla can't hit a jumper now that the Finals have arrived. PF defense is now a weakness, though, and Rasheed Wallace should have a good game (but not as good as his talent would dictate, of course).
Bench strength: The Lakers' bench was the biggest difference in game 2, or rather, Luke Walton was. Walton dominated Corliss Williamson, who probably put Walton on the court in the first place by making Rick Fox look washed up in game 1.
Walton should get major minutes in this game, too, but I expect Detroit's bench will bounce back now that they're at home. Okur should have the biggest mismatch on offense as backup PF and C, but he clearly didn't want to shoot in game 2, and Larry Brown would probably prefer not to play him at all. That means the Pistons will look to Elden Campbell to play a major role in tonight's game.
"Scoreless" Williamson will also need to put up points tonight, or the Lakers will go small and punish his defense with impunity.
So I guess tonight's game will probably come down to Shaq's FTs and ORB, Kobe's scoring, and Rush/Walton/Medvedenko off the bench for the Lakers, with the Pistons relying on Billups and Rip Hamilton from outside and Williamson, Campbell and Rasheed posting up.
Pistons need to win this one pretty bad if they want to make this into a series...
Lakers' energy: the first question always seems to be, which Lakers team will show up? They played with more energy in game 2, but they still didn't look like the team that surprised the Spurs in game 3 of that series.
Now that they've snuck out a win, they might be due for another letdown, but I think the energy from Detroit's crowd will pick them up at least a little.
Malone's knee: Even if he suits up, Malone won't be playing too much in this game. That means the Lakers' PF will be filled by Slava Medvedenko and Luke Walton, possibly with an assist from Brian Cook.
Medvedenko and Walton would both improve the Lakers' offense, because Karla can't hit a jumper now that the Finals have arrived. PF defense is now a weakness, though, and Rasheed Wallace should have a good game (but not as good as his talent would dictate, of course).
Bench strength: The Lakers' bench was the biggest difference in game 2, or rather, Luke Walton was. Walton dominated Corliss Williamson, who probably put Walton on the court in the first place by making Rick Fox look washed up in game 1.
Walton should get major minutes in this game, too, but I expect Detroit's bench will bounce back now that they're at home. Okur should have the biggest mismatch on offense as backup PF and C, but he clearly didn't want to shoot in game 2, and Larry Brown would probably prefer not to play him at all. That means the Pistons will look to Elden Campbell to play a major role in tonight's game.
"Scoreless" Williamson will also need to put up points tonight, or the Lakers will go small and punish his defense with impunity.
So I guess tonight's game will probably come down to Shaq's FTs and ORB, Kobe's scoring, and Rush/Walton/Medvedenko off the bench for the Lakers, with the Pistons relying on Billups and Rip Hamilton from outside and Williamson, Campbell and Rasheed posting up.
Pistons need to win this one pretty bad if they want to make this into a series...
