That one hurt...

You just can't blow a 6 point lead in the last 47 secs, if you want to pull off the upset. Three bad plays in a row, culminating in the failure to foul on the last Lakers' possession in regulation, and a golden opportunity was squandered to put the fading Fancy-Pants Boys in a hammer-lock. Or, the "camel-clutch," as the Sheik used to call his vaunted death-grip. Any "Big Time Wrestling" fans in the house?

Still, the Pistons proved they were the better team, for all but about 5 minutes of the two games in LA. The Lakers are hurtin', too. Malone's knee is screwed, Fisher and Fox are both hurt, Payton's been useless against Billups, and overall the Lakers have not been able to dominate for long stretches.

If we'd have closed that one out last night, we'd be looking at a sweep. Now, I have to stick with my Pistons in 6 prediction.

Argh! Have to give credit to Bryant for hitting the long three, but he never should have had the ball in that position...we could have fouled Shaq, just before, and Rip should have fouled Kobe as soon as he touched the ball. Brown is defending the decision not to foul, fearing the 4-point play, but that's just dumb. The Pistons know how to foul a guy, so he doesn't get the shot off.

If the series turns on that sequence, and the Lakers win, it will be a bitter pill to swallow.