Instant Replay

EASING BACK IN - Early in the game, Billups head faked Rondo and went around him easily for an open 17-footer. But he passed on it, firing it instead to Hamilton for a 3-point attempt that Hamilton air mailed. It was that lack of aggressiveness that marked Billups’ play, probably to be expected after a 13-day gap between games. Billups also appeared to tire late in the first quarter and lost his balance twice on the few occasions he did gain penetration. He had four points when he re-entered the game midway through the fourth quarter, then had his best moments – a hard baseline drive for a layup, a confidently stroked jumper around a screen and another drive to draw a foul. He finished with nine points and only two assists.

SAUNDERS: “He hasn’t really played in (13) days. He wasn’t as comfortable coming off screens looking to shoot it. I thought he was a little bit better late, looking for his shot. He’s going to have to be more aggressive.”

ROTATIONS AND MATCHUPS – Interesting chess match between the two coaches. Doc Rivers stuck with House over Sam Cassell as his backup point guard, a switch he made after Game 5 of the Cleveland series. Saunders countered with Hunter, whose badgering of House was critical to the Pistons’ win at Boston in December. Stuckey’s impressive play in relief of Billups in the Orlando series has elevated him to practical starter status. His 23 minutes came at the expense of Jarvis Hayes as the Pistons used Hamilton to back up Prince with Stuckey, Billups and Hunter fleshing out the backcourt rotation. Stuckey, who chipped in with nine points and three rebounds, and Hunter formed an excellent defensive tandem, disrupting Boston offensively to a significant degree, especially in the second quarter.

DOC RIVERS: “When Rondo was out, they really pressured us. That’s a concern – our second unit, Game 2, the ballhandling.”

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD – The Pistons knew handling Pierce and Garnett on the pick and roll would be the single most critical element of their defensive game plan, but whatever they did in Game 1 needs an overhaul for Game 2. Pierce and Garnett ran the play relentlessly, almost always to good effect, whether it was Pierce taking it all the way himself, stopping inside the paint to kick to Garnett for an open jumper or finding an unguarded teammate.

RIVERS: “They’re going to try to keep us from dribble penetration. The other thing is what are they going to do with Kevin? There’s only so many things you can do. Whatever they do, we’ll be ready.”