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This is the third playoff meeting between the teams. The Pistons won both meetings: in six games in the second round in 2002-03 and in five games in the first round in 2004-05, the last time the Sixers reached the postseason.
Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess vs. Andre Iguodala and Reggie Evans or Thaddeus Young.
Prince annually has been one of the NBA's best defenders, and tormented Kyle Korver in the 2004-05 series in which the Pistons took out the Sixers in five games. He is also versatile, averaging, 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 44.8 percent from the floor. McDyess is the power player, at 8.8 points and 8.5 rebounds, although he can step to the perimeter (48.8 percent). Iguodala has his work cut out for him, and Evans/Young have to help on the glass. Young can be an equalizer of sorts if he can score.
EDGE: PISTONS.
Rasheed Wallace vs. Samuel Dalembert.
Wallace, a natural forward and wannabe shooting guard, has been the Pistons' center because they don't have a front-line player at the position. Theo Ratliff, the former Sixer, arrived as a free agent in time to play just 16 games. Wallace, though, is a force, averaging 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and a team-best 1.68 blocks. All of that considered, Dalembert has had his finest season, took at least 10 rebounds in 21 of the last 27 regular-season games, and finished No. 4 in the league in blocks per game (2.34). Remember, he earned his $64 million contract in large part with his performance in the '04-05 series.
EDGE: EVEN.
Richard "Rip" Hamilton and Chauncey Billups vs. Andre Miller and Willie Green.
Hamilton and Billups, virtually joined at the hip as an elite pair, combined to average 34 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Hamilton shot 48.4 percent, Billups 44.8; they tend to make big shots and big plays. You can make the argument that Miller was the best point guard in the East this season, but the Sixers are going to need some consistency from Green, the Detroit homeboy who went long stretches searching for his offense before shooting 23-for-45 in the last three games.
EDGE: PISTONS.
Burly Jason Maxiell provides the muscle; ask Dalembert what it felt like when Maxiell landed on him during the last meeting in the Wachovia Center. Rodney Stuckey, Jarvis Hayes and Aaron Afflalo have all been helpful at times, but don't discount late additions Juan Dixon and Ratliff (19 blocks in 16 games). In a pinch, there's always the experience of Lindsey Hunter. The Pistons are deeper, but the Sixers have lived excellently all season with the off-the-bench punch of Lou Williams and Young (when he's not starting). Rodney Carney can help in spots with his athleticism and three-point range, but it remains to be seen whether Jason Smith is ready for this challenge.
EDGE: PISTONS.
Flip Saunders vs. Maurice Cheeks.
Saunders rarely gets any real credit, but he has done a better-than-nice job managing his personnel and keeping things on an even keel. He says he can confidently use any of his 12 men, and, "I don't think any other team can say that." Cheeks squeezed more out of the Sixers than anyone should reasonably have expected, staying positive and patient through the darkest of moments.
EDGE: EVEN.
Some of this is more tangible than intangible: The Pistons have been to the Eastern finals five straight times, own the homecourt advantage and play to sellout crowds in the raucous Palace of Auburn Hills. The Sixers believe it's one of the toughest environments in the league. If there's a chink in the armor, it's that Wallace has been known to go off the deep end, either drawing technical fouls or launching too many three-pointers. But he has also been known to be the catalyst for rallies and comebacks, and has an excellent sense of the game. The Sixers have to ride the wave that got them to a stunning 40 victories. They won during the season in the Palace, and as old friend Charles Barkley likes to say, "Anything you do once, you can do again." The trouble is, they lost their last four games and seven of 10.
EDGE: PISTONS.
FOR THE PISTONS:
1. Limit the Sixers' ability to rebound, which triggers their fastbreak.
2. Control the Andres: Miller's ability to penetrate and distribute, and Iguodala's options, forcing him to shoot from distance and get to the foul line less.
3. Win early, reminding the Sixers which team has been to the conference finals the last five seasons.
FOR THE SIXERS:
1. Don't lose sight of the way they played all season, with Miller as the quarterback, Iguodala as the motor, Dalembert as the defensive and rebounding presence, Evans and Young as the energy catalysts and Williams as the off-the-bench scorer. That's a lot of elements, but that's what got them to the postseason for the first time in three seasons.
2. Don't get intimidated by Prince's defense or Wallace's antics.
3. Try and at least contain Hamilton and Billups, either of whom can easily take over a game or a good segment of one.
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