Can Orlando beat Detroit in a 7 game series?

[cfan79]

Detroit has the edge at most of the starting positions, but Detroit no longer has a center who can stop Dwight Howard. Plus Turkoglu can go on a hot streak at times where he seems unstoppable.

[GreenGrizz]

No way. Detriot will wear Orlando down after three games.

[theman]

Yes. But I wouldn't bet on it.

[cisco]

From what I've seen from Detroit lately, I think the Magic may be able to beat them, especially if Howard goes off. Every since Wallace left, Detroit's interior defense is pretty bad. Teams are getting to the rim at will against them. Howard will have a field day.

[cfan79]

The Billups matchup would probably hurt the Magic the most. Nelson is really small. So Chauncey would use his butt thrusts and straight arm fouls that the refs never call.

But I still say that Orlando has a good chance of beating Detroit because of Dwight's dominance.

[tombattor]

I think Orlando does have the talent to beat the Pistons, but I don't think it's likely.

[Tricky Ricky]

Yes. But I wouldn't bet on it.

[freakon0mics]

Detroit has one of the best starting backcourts in the East with Rip and Billups. I just see them two having a field day on Orlando. I also would take a look at both of the teams benches. Detroit's bench is young but very talented. I don't really consider Orlando's bench more superior. I think if Stuckey, Hayes, Ratliff, and Maxiell perform well enough that Detroit will have the advantage.

[threrf23]

Howard's strengths are defensive moreso than offensive. Detroit's big men aren't bad defensively if not great, and Detroit matches up well enough with Orlando defensively overall. Orlando won't be able to guard Chauncey nor Rip Hamilton (especially after getting rid of Ariza), Rasheed can possibly drive past Rashard Lewis easily enough and perhaps draw fouls on Howard. And Dwight Howard can only do so much about a team offense that passes the ball well and plays like a team.

I also agree with wiseguys re: Detroit's bench.

[MaxwellSmart]

Listen, Detroit will only go as far as Billup's conditioning will take them---I've watched some Pistons games this year...and when Chauncey is worn down in the 4th quarter--he throws up bricks and turns the ball over....which is what happened in the 2 losses to us this year and in the playoffs last year to Cleveland....So, YES Detroit can lose to Orlando if they run him ragged.

[GoGoCeltics]

They absolutely can. Orlando is big on the three, and if they are falling plus Dwight Howard dominating then are a competitive team. Of course, that's a big *if*, especially in a 7-game series.

[celticfan42487]

No they can't ORL can hit a three ball and turn it over the next play. DET will wear them down on the simple fact that they don't turn the ball over.

Top that off that Chauncey can have a field day all game long agaisnt their back cour... and Rip Hamilton will be highly affective beign chased by whatever SG chases him [we should record when JJ Reddick is the guy in there that will be comdey]...

DET's backcourt will be able to score at will against the Magic and with their defence and the magic's poor PG play it's only a matter of turnovers before it happens.

For all the experience of SA, and the PG play of Deron. DET still leads the lead in takening care of the ball and ORL is still a bunch of players without major playoff experience.

[Joebiscuit]

Detroit would win in 5

[ilikepistonslol]

Sheed can handle Dwight. Dwight can't step out and hit the jumper on Sheed like KG can/did. Don't believe me? Check every head to head that they've had this year. If all what Ra has to do is guard in the post then he'll succeed, which is why hes so tough on Duncan. Watching KG this year, he posts up Dices but seldomly Sheed; instead he shot over him.

As pessimistic as many Detroit fans are not a whole lot of us are worried about ORL yet.

[Rasheeed!!!]

Howard averages 24 & 14 on the season 60% (59%FT)....against Detroit it's 17 & 10 on 47% (54% FT).

He never dominates the Pistons front line, which is why Orlando have lost 10 of the last 12 to Detroit.