Pistons Preview Game Two

The 76ers look to defy all odds and take two from the Pistons in Detroit. Most experts, media members, average Joes picked the Pistons to win this series in four or five games.

The Sixers will try to make all the haters look like idiots tonight by jumping out to the 2-0 lead and forcing the Pistons to play at least six games if they want to win the series.

So what do the 76ers need to do to make it two in a row?

The 76ers need to be able to take the ball inside without Rasheed Wallace being a big time defensive factor. 'Sheed blocked seven shots and forced the Sixers to change their game plan at times because of his presence.

Sammy Dalembert and Reggie Evans need to draw Wallace away from the basket, opening up the lane for the more athletic Sixers' guards and forwards to move through the paint freely.

The 76ers also need to shoot better from the field. They shot just 43% from the field in Game One and that's not going to cut it in most games against the Pistons.

The 76ers forced the Pistons into 39% shooting in Game One and the 76ers only won by four points. It's going to be tough to keep the Pistons down around that mark consistently as the Pistons shot 45.8% from the field during the regular season.

Each game the 76ers will need someone off the bench of have a very, very strong game. In Game One, Philadelphia got that from Reggie Evans. He scored 11 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, he also hit two key free throws. They'll need one of either Evans, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, or Jason Smith to contribute each game to have a chance in this series.

The Piston's bench is too good with Jason Maxiell, Ronny Stuckley, and Lindsey Hunter for the 76ers to survive without strong contributions from their sixth men. In Game One, the 76ers' bench outscored the Piston's bench 22-17.

Philadelphia also needs to finish every transition opportunity they get. The Pistons are very solid in the half-court defense which means the 76ers' transition game must continue to be their strength.