Pistons Look to Tie Series, 2-2, in Miami

The Pistons trail 2-1 in the Eastern Conference finals.

And that is the least of their worries.

What happened Saturday night, the Miami Heat's 98-83 deconstruction of the once-fearsome Pistons, was more than a loss. It was a showcase of the many reasons why this team may fall fantastically short of the championship expectations that have followed them into arenas for three years.

The defense was non-existent.

The Pistons are not playing their trademark defense. They are not scoring in the paint, to the tune of a 50-16 disadvantage there Saturday.

There may already be some signs that their model collectivism has cracked, along the walking fault line that is the talented, hard-to-figure Rasheed Wallace.

In what may either be a telling display of discord, or a simple act of frustration, Wallace brushed past Pistons coach Flip Saunders on his way to the bench after leaving the game in the first half.

Saunders appeared to extend his hand. Wallace did not shake it.

Later, after the Heat took an 11-point lead into the second half, Wallace found his stroke. He hit a three-point play to start the half. Then he nailed a 12-foot fadeaway. Then he buried a three-pointer. Suddenly, after hobbling on his ankle for over a week, he seemed himself again.

And then he disappeared.

''We need to let Rasheed go to work,'' said Antonio McDyess, who, somewhat ironically, was the one who replaced Wallace in the lineup. ''You don't go away from a guy who has the hot hand, like Rasheed.''

In Game 4, it could very well depend on Rasheed Wallace if the Detroit Pistons will either go home or fight for the NBA Championship for the third straight time on June. Miami is ready to bring on the heat, it will be up to Rasheed to lead the Pistons through it.

Can the Pistons win the pivotal best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals series? Bet on it at NINE Sportsbook - best NBA playoff odds.