It is almost scary how close my prediction was. Spurs did pull away in the fourth quarter. The difference in this series is the offense. Whoever does more in the offensive side can control the ball game, especially at the game ending moments. Spurs did just that, by Manu Ginobili doing most of the offensive work. Ginobili's explosive fourth quarter eliminated any hope the Pistons once had in the game. The spotlight has been on Nash, Stoudemire, Wade, and Shaq. Ginobili wants the world to know he is one of the best basketball player in the world. (He has all the rights to say that by winning Olympic gold, NBA champ may not). Ginobili was truly unstoppable. He blew by anybody and intentionally drew contact to get to the foul line. When he is on fire there's simply nothing his opponent can do... Defense was the theme in game 1 with a combined grand total of 18 blocks. Even Glen Robinson who played 6 minutes had 3 key blocks. It was a sick block party. In one stretch I remember there were 6 straight possessions (or 6 out of 7) ended by a block. It was so hard to make a shot under the basket. Playing defense was contagious. Everybody wanted a piece of the ball... Rip Hamilton was shut down by Bruce Bowen most of the game. Even Bowen missed a few ugly wide open three pointers. But who cares? He can play D. He got his job done and helped his team to win... Spurs' X-factor Manu was the star of the game. On the flip side, Pistons' X-factor Rasheed Wallace was nowhere to be seen offensively. He scored 6 points. Definitely not significant when points are hard to get in such a game... Game 1 was a fun although the score was low. Basketball games are great to watch not when the scoring is high, but when the players play hard and with high intensity. At one point I thought the scores would wind up at the 60s for both teams. Thanks to Ginobili who rescued the day. The Spurs reached the 80s plateau. The players played the game as if this was their last game. This is where the beauty of basketball lies. If you are a true basketball fan, you should love to watch two teams play like the way these two teams play in game 1. Score doesn't dictate how exciting a game is, the intensity does... In game 2 the Pistons need to find a way to win in the fourth quarter. It doesn't matter how far they lead in the second, the final score decides who win. Expect another close game in game 2. Pistons should be able to hang to the end. I expect the Spurs to win another game at home. But this time a much closer one. It is not the end for the Pistions. If they can bring momentum (even not winning a game but hang in close) back the Detroit, they would have gained psychological edge to explode at home... To look at the series as a whole, I see the Spurs to have a jump start by winning a convincing game 1. But I would not count out the Pistons right now. They have proved that they are no scrubs in the playoffs. The series is not over after one game. This is still a very close series. I still expect much more exciting basketball ahead, and I still believe that this is the best Finals matchup in 10 years... Side notes about the the Finals: NBA Finals is not Superbowl. I don't think having Will Smith singing at the beginning can enhance our experience. I always think that having recording artist singing in the Finals is a bad idea. The artists don't get respect from the fans. I'm not sure the artists want to be there either... Props to ABC for the short documentary on Manu Ginobili's hometown at halftime. It's a great short piece that brought the basketball world to the American audience.

6.11.05 photo: AP/Eric Gay