Sixers vs. Pistons: Game 3 preview

NBA Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Wachovia Center, 7 o'clock.

TV/radio: Comcast SportsNet/ESPN2; WIP-AM (610).

The best-of-seven series is tied at one game apiece.

Coatesville's Richard Hamilton scored a game-high 20 points as the Pistons led by as many as 28 in a 105-88 rout.

Can Andre Iguodala (5-for-24 shooting) get untracked offensively?

Can Samuel Dalembert (3-for-16 shooting) get going offensively and defensively?

What happens if Detroit's Chauncey Billups starts getting untracked after two relatively quiet performances?

Are the real Pistons the team that blew a 15-point third-quarter lead in losing Game 1 or the one that thumped the Sixers in Game 2?

The Sixers must get off to a better start. In the first two games, they have been outscored, 104-74 in the first half.

Even if he is slumping offensively, Dalembert has to be more of a defensive presence. Rasheed Wallace (20 ppg.) has been having his way offensively in the low post.

The Pistons have to continue to hit open shots, something they did not do in Game 1 but were effective with in Game 2.

Detroit interrupted the Sixers' offensive rhythm in Game 2 by trapping Andre Miller. As Miller said, the Sixers have to do a better job in dealing with this trapping defense, getting players open and attacking the basket.

In order to snap out of his swoon, Iguodala must get off to a good start. He's forcing too many shots, and coach Maurice Cheeks says he has to get Iguodala better looks. It is a direct correlation that the Sixers have been outscored, by 30 points in the first half of the first two games and that Iguodala has shot 2 for 19 in both first halves.

Detroit did an excellent job moving off the ball in Game 2 instead of being stagnant and standing around on offense the way the Pistons did in Game 1.

Detroit must continue to limit the Sixers' transition opportunities. In Game 2, the Sixers had just one fastbreak point at halftime.

The Sixers have a pattern this season of playing well after coming off a poor performance. They should be energized by the home crowd and figure to be much more competitive than in Game 2.

Tayshaun Prince.

When the Pistons forward is more aggressive offensively, it rubs off on the entire team. Prince shot a passive 5 for 13 in Game 1, and was 7 for 13 in Game 2. He benefited by taking the ball to the basket more on Wednesday. Prince's offensive performance was more impressive considering that he also smothered Iguodala on defense.

In the playoffs, experience is crucial, and guard Kevin Ollie has appeared in 38 postseason games, just two fewer than the entire Sixers starting lineup. Ollie has not played in either game against the Pistons, but his calming presence, even for a few minutes, could be welcome.

Thaddeus Young and Antonio McDyess at power forward in a classic rookie vs. veteran scenario. Young is averaging 10.5 ppg., but McDyess poses a problem when he is hitting from the perimeter. He missed plenty of open shots during a 2-for-10 performance in Game 1 and countered by shooting 8 for 14 in Game 2. McDyess also had 12 rebounds in Game 2, including five off the offensive glass.

Reggie Evans has had double-doubles in the first two games off the bench for the Sixers. Evans had 11 points and 14 rebounds in Game 1 and 13 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2. In 81 regular-season games, Evans had four double-doubles.