NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics came into the NBA playoffs with the best record in the NBA (66-16). They also came in with the best road record in the league (31-10). But the first two series of the playoffs have been grueling for the Celtics. In what looked like smooth sailing in the first two rounds against two teams with far less impressive records, the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics ran aground of an obstruction called "the road." They lost all six road games. And it looks as if the key to getting to the NBA Finals, at least so far for the Celtics, is home court advantage.

But if there is one team that can probably break that advantage, it is the Detroit Pistons. Although the two teams met three times during regular season, with Boston winning twice, the playoffs are an entirely different arena of play. Lose four games and go home. Given the Celtics sluggish performance so far and the fact that they are playing the team with the second-best record in the league (59-23), a break in home court advantage could be in Boston's future. And it could be due to lack of experience. Boston has not been to the playoffs since 2002. The Pistons have been there six straight years and won a championship along the way (2004).

The teams are evenly matched on paper going in. Boston is averaging a little over 100 points per game, Detroit a little over 97. Both teams have four players averaging double-digit scoring. But the games could come down to two key matchups and how well an injured Chauncey Billups, Detroit's point guard, plays.

Billups is suffering from an aggravated hamstring pull, is listed as probable for the first game of the series. Reports state that he maintains he will be ready to play. If he is not on his game, though, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Richard Hamilton are going to have to step up their game a bit. So far, that has not been much of a problem. Detroit dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers in six games and the Orlando Magic in five.