Pistons at Cavaliers, 3.31.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (36-37) at Cleveland Cavaliers (60-13)
Spread: Cavs -10
My Pick: Cavs by 7

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. All Hands on Deck? If Rasheed Wallace can play (he’s questionable) the Pistons will have both a healthy roster and a logical starting lineup for the first time since Chauncey Billups suited up in the red, white, and blue. (And yes, this means I am strongly opposed to this idea from Chris McCosky. More on that later.) Update: Sheed is back, but will come off the bench for now.
2. Small Guards. Both of the Pistons’ primary backcourt backups – Allen Iverson and Will Bynum – are shorter than six feet. Against most opponents, that would be a problem, but Cleveland’s top-three backcourt options are all 6-3 and under.
3. They’ve Done It. The Pistons beat Cleveland earlier this year in one of Allen Iverson’s best games of the seasons. They had a chance to do so a second time before Iverson chose not to play defense in the fourth quarter.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. King James. Cleveland has this LeBron guy who plays small forward and is really good at basketball. He happens to have the most absurd combination of size, quickness, skill, and athleticism that the NBA has ever seen. He might pose a problem for the Pistons.
2. Quicken Loans. The Cavs are 34-1 at home this season. That 97.1% winning percentage is as daunting as it gets.
3. Confused Curry. Michael Curry has done a much better job coaching when injuries force his hand. When he has had a full arsenal of weapons at his disposal, he has made some perplexing decisions.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 73, Cleveland 79
Notes:

• Is there anyone not excited to see the post-Iverson, post-Sheed Pistons? This team plays much harder without Sheed and much better without AI. The challenge will be using the cap space to replace their talent.
• Iverson whined to the media about the fact that he played 18 minutes. I agree that 18 minutes was a mistake; 12 – or maybe zero – would have been more appropriate.
• LeBron was the beneficiary of some "stupid-star calls," but Sheed gets his share of calls too. Sheed is bright enough to know that yelling at the refs does not accomplish anything productive. He deserves his suspension for tonight’s game.
• No Piston played more than 34 minutes. Normally I would applaud a coach for resting his regulars before the playoffs, but a playoff berth is far from secured.
• The Pistons executed a great game plan on LeBron for 43 minutes. Then LeBron showed why he is the best closer in basketball.
• Walter Herrmann was surprisingly competent the few possessions he defended LeBron.
• While my post-game gripes lie with AI and Sheed, the Pistons lost because the Cavaliers played awesome defense in the second half. Also, Stuckey, RIP, and McDyess failed to convert too many makeable shots.