DETROIT – When threatened, the Detroit Pistons are at their best.
Too much cockiness usually doesn't work for the Pistons because it lulls them into a false sense of security, leading to 1-on-1 moves and lackluster effort on defense and the glass.
Detroit plays up to its vast potential by sharing the ball, defending with passion and rebounding aggressively.
The Pistons know they have to stick to that script in the conference finals – starting tonight at home – because LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are good enough to beat them in a matchup of the East's top-seeded teams.
The Pistons doubted that entering the conference semifinals last year, and it almost cost them.
Cleveland won three straight and had the Pistons on the brink of elimination – coming off two straight trips to the NBA finals – before they responded to adversity again by winning the last two games.
“What helps us is what they did to us last year,” Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. “That's why this year . . . we came out focused, knowing if we didn't, they would beat us.”
Detroit beat the Cavs in three of four games during the regular season.
James said it doesn't matter that the Pistons view Cleveland as more of a challenge than they did a year ago.
“It's not about trying to win somebody's respect,” he said. “It's about trying to win a series.”
The Cavs are more confident about their chances to advance to their first NBA Finals.
“We feel like we can do it,” reserve point guard Eric Snow said. “We just have to go out and get it done.”
