Game 4 had been a total domination by the Pistons. Game 3 was very similar to game 1, in which the scores were close for three quarter and then the home game pulled away big time in the fourth. Game 4 was similar to game 2, in which the home team dominated the game from beginning to the end. Now it's all tied at 2-2, the series is a best of three... Game 4 was a breakout game for Lindsey Hunter. For a stretch in the 2nd, Antonio McDyess stole the ball and Hunter finished with a layup. The two players off the bench was huge in this game. The screen-and-roll by the Pistons with a guard and McDyess worked so well, and McDyess shot the ball from 15-foot out so well, it almost made McDyess looked like Ray Allen. The shooting by Hunter was unexpected since he had the worst shooting percentage in the Finals history. Hunter hasn't been a sharp shooter, not even a concentrated offensive option, he got hot and was shooting just like Steve Kerr... The points off turnover was a big factor in games 3 and 4. The advantage in this department by the Pistons were much better in these games than Spurs' advantage in games 1 and 2. Their defense was so good, they were playing defensive offense. Almost like scoring by the defense in football. Remember 2001 Baltimore Ravens? Simply no way to beat them when the defense is hot. The homecourt energy was simply unstoppable. When a team forces so many turnovers and can score off those turnovers, there is no way to stop them. But almost no team can do it every game. The Dallas Mavericks can do so when they play at home with high energy level. This series is really not about game plans, or matchups, it's all about energy and homecourt advantage... At some moments in the 2nd, I thought the Spurs had already given up by using Beno Udrih and Devin Brown for long minutes. They really showed no sign of life in the second half. Was Gregg Popovich thinking of giving up game 4 to save some work for game 5. This way they can just go all out for game 5 to steal this one at Detroit. They know that if they don't, they will have to play under pressure in game 6 being down 2-3, and in case of game 7, sometimes homecourt advantage may become homecourt pressure. My prediction for game 5 is like this: I always feel that beating an opponent by big margin is never good for the next game. This theory happened once in this series when Spurs lost game 3 after blowing out the Pistons in game 2. I can see that this game will stay close throughout. The fourth quarter will be tight unlike all other four games. In a situation like this, I like Spurs' chances. Don't underestimate the pressure the Pistons have to endure right now. They need to hold serve on their court. Don't you remember the Spurs are still a very good team?

6.17.05 photo: Reuters