Backs to the wall
Finally, some drama!
After four lopsided routs that led to a dead even series, the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs played a classic Game 5 Sunday night, and thanks to the heroics of Robert Horry – surprise, surprise – San Antonio goes home with two chances to win one game and the NBA championship.
The Pistons must regroup following the crushing loss, and they have to find a way to recapture the momentum that had swung so heavily in their favor.
The Pistons know what they must do strategically – outrebound the Spurs, force turnovers and share the ball on offense.
But emotionally, the Pistons have to recover from a tough loss and bounce back with great effort. The tendency for the home team in these situations is to tighten up a bit, knowing what's on the line. The Pistons can come out, let loose and attack San Antonio with a fury. If they do so – and they make some shots – they have a chance to take this series to seven games.
Detroit has been the best team in the NBA the past couple of seasons when facing playoff adversity. The Pistons have bounced back countless times when their backs were against the wall. For those who think this series is over, don't forget who is involved. These are the Pistons – the defending champs – and this is when they're at their best.
San Antonio's Game 5 strategy
Throughout the playoffs, Gregg Popovich has spoken of how adjustments are overrated, and that they are more emotional in nature than strategic.
In Game 5, the Spurs coach made one change that helped immensely – he had Manu Ginobili bring the ball up the floor frequently against Tayshaun Prince, rather than allow Lindsey Hunter to wreak havoc in the backcourt on his point guards.
Popovich didn't even play backup Beno Udrih, relying on his starters for most of the night. The Spurs limited their mistakes as a result, and they didn't give up the easy hoops to Detroit that they had the previous two games.
The biggest change for the Spurs, though, was in their attitude. They scrapped and clawed, outrebounded the Pistons and defended them on every possession. There were few easy points for Detroit this game, and ultimately that's what kept San Antonio close and allowed Horry to win the game with his shooting.
