THE MATCHUP
2006-07 Matchup Review:
Detroit & Dallas tied the season series 1-1.
Game 1:
Detroit 89 v Dallas 74
Game 2:
Dallas 99 vs Detroit 94
HOW THE MAVERICKS GOT THERE
The Mavericks had another strong regular season as they finished with a 36-22 record and earnt the No. 4 seed throughout the playoffs.
The Mavericks had trouble with the upstart Houston Rockets, but managed to scrape out a win in the deciding game. Since then, the Mavs have been perfect, as they have gone 6-0, with sweeped series win over the Los Angeles Lakers and the defending champion, San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas is led by All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, but is strongly supported by a cast of talented players like Michael Finley, Jason Terry, Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse. With such depth, the Mavericks can come at you with different lineups and has no problems putting up big scoring totals, the only thing they usually struggle with is on the defensive side of the court.
HOW THE PISTONS GOT THERE
The Pistons were superb once again in the regular season as they ended the regular season with a league-best 40-18 record that secured the No. 1 seed out East.
Much like their counterpaths, the Pistons toiled and struggled to win their 1st Round series in 5 games. Since then, they have also been flawless, going 6-0, with sweeps over the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks.
Looking at the Pistons' roster, it doesn't really have any weaknesses. The starting lineup has to be the best in the league (Billups, Rip, Prince and the Wallace's) and the bench is quite strong (McDyess, Milicic, Hunter and Salim Stoudamire).
X's PREDICTION
The Dallas Mavericks run this post-season has been long overdue as Dirk Nowitzki has finally put the team on his back and gotten it over the Conference Finals hump. I would like to pick the Mavs to take the series, especially with the way they have been playing, but I just feel the Pistons are too deep in the frontcourt and that will be the decisive factor.
I'm predicting the Pistons to win the series in 4 games.