You ain't so bad, you ain't so bad, you ain't nothin'. C'mon, champ, hit me in the face! My mom hits harder than you! - Rocky Balboa

Fear the Pistons. They've been there before. They know how to win in the playoffs. Blah, blah, shove it up your ass, blah. With a week of rest and preparation under their belts, the Pistons strolled into the Garden last night and somehow lost to the mentally and physically exhausted, overrated and under-achieving Boston Celtics. Critics will say the Celtics merely held home court, but for reasons listed above, this was the game Detroit could have/should have stolen. The only problem: the Celtics are the better team.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett proved they are the best two players in this series. Pierce played a fantastic all-around game - 44 minutes, 22 pts, 6 reb, 6 assists. He played the point-forward to perfection; bringing the ball up the court, working the pick-and-roll, finding his shot or the open man. KG was an offensive force - 26 pts, 11-17 FG, 9 reb, 4 assists. He knocked down jumpers and worked the post.

Rajon Rondo (11 pts, 7 assists, 5 steals, 1 TO) was a pest. He was very active on both ends. And he nailed two big shots; an open jumper and 3-pointer in the final three minutes to seal the victory. Ray Allen struggled again. I'll leave it at that.

It took 5 seconds to realize Chauncey Billups is not 100% recovered from his strained hamstring. The injury forced Flip Saunders to play Rip Hamilton on Rajon Rondo from the start. Billups was a non-factor. In fact, so was Rip and Rasheed Wallace. The trio combined for 35 pts. Rip was so frustrated he threw an elbow at Garnett which inexcusably (but not surprisingly - Perkins would've been tossed and suspended for two games) was not called a flagrant foul. The league may hand down a fine, but I don't expect anything more.

Pistons fans might say the Celtics played a great game and couldn't shake Detroit until the final few minutes. That Chauncey, Rasheed and Rip will play better. They might be right. But I doubt we've seen the best from PP, KG, Ray-Ray and the bench. And I know a road win is coming....Face it Detroit...your mediocre run is ending.

Chuck - Red's Army

I'm royally fucked for Saturday night's Game 3. I must attend (divorce is an option if I bow out) this family birthday party and there is no TV access. I have two options: annoy the shit out of my wife and listen to the game on the radio or record it and watch when I get home later that night. But then I run the risk of some blackberry carrying douchebag blurting out the score. Suggestions? Any rock-solid excuses for avoiding the party?