The Pistons looked like a sure thing to win this series after taking Game 2 in Boston, given the Celtics inability to win on the road, but now that the C’s have taken one in Detroit as well, it’s the Pistons who find themselves clawing to get back in this thing (go down 3-1 heading to Boston, and this thing’s over).

Chauncey Billups says he’s going to work through his inuries, but at this rate Flip Saunders may be better off going with Stuckey at the point, who’s been solid filling in. The spread’s 5 1/2 in favor of Detroit, and my feeling here is that you need to ride the Pistons — the Celtics played their asses off to win, but only because they were down and suddenly on the road; with the comfort of knowing this thing has to go back home, I think they let up a little. Detroit by double digits, this one’ll be a snoozer.