Pistons like things Tough

I picked the Detroit Pistons to win the 2006 NBA title back in October. I did pick them to beat the Spurs in the Finals; so, one part of my prediction is now wrong. The Pistons begin their Eastern Conference Finals tilt tonight versus Shaq, D-Wade, and the Miami Heat. For some inexplicable reason, Detroit's offense went south versus the Cleveland Cavaliers; however, I believe Detroit will play much better versus the Heat because I believe the Pistons have much more respect for Miami than they did the Cavs. This group of Pistons has a "flick the switch" mentality; so, when they lost Game 5 to the Cavs, the Pistons didn't worry or panic. They simply re-focused and managed to get the job done in Cleveland for Game 6.

The Pistons thrive in the underdog role. The more people doubt them, the more they like it. Therefore, when the national media tabbed them as the team to beat for the title, the Pistons were unaccustomed to that role and played poorly. However, when people began doubting them after that Game 5 loss, the Pistons re-gained that chip on their shoulder and that "us against the world mindset" in which they thrive.

Now that more people are picking the Heat to defeat the Pistons in this series, I expect the Pistons to prevail once again.

Pistons in 7.