Despite being down 3-1 and playing in Detroit, the Orlando Magic'sJameer Nelson.
The Magic's point guard guaranteed his team would win Game 5 after a close Game 4 loss; oddsmakers disagree as Detroit is a 6-point betting favorite (over/under: 185.5) for tonight's game on WagerWeb.com.
Nelson actually backed away from his comment a bit Monday, explaining that there was really no other way he could approach a do-or-die Game 5.
"I've heard from people that I guaranteed a win, but what am I supposed to do - guarantee a loss? We've got to win the game,' Nelson said. "We have the confidence that we can do it. I believe it. It's not that I'm saying it because that's what we have to do, I believe in this team. I'm not saying it to be arrogant or cocky or anything like that, but we know we have to win - so let's go win."
The Pistons brushed it off.
"He doesn't have anything to lose by saying that," Tayshaun Prince said. "One thing he's probably trying to do is spark his club."
However, Orlando's hopes certainly would get a boost if Detroit guard Chauncey Billups misses another game. Yes, the bench (Lindsay Hunter, Rodney Stuckey) stepped up in Billups' absence in the Game 4 victory, but Billups is the most important player on Detroit. The Pistons have stolen two games from the Magic and need to close them out in Game 5 and then let Billups rest up for the Eastern Conference finals.
Billups remains questionable with his strained hamstring. If he sits out for a second game in a row, coach Flip Saunders insisted it will have nothing to do with having a cushion in the series."When he's ready to go, he's going to play," Saunders said. "If we were down, it wouldn't matter."
The Pistons are 14-3 following a third victory in a series since 2003, when they started a streak of advancing to at least the Eastern Conference finals. They are on the verge of becoming the first franchise to play in six straight conference championships since the Los Angeles Lakers did it from 1984-89.
When they allow the Magic to set the tone - a 3-point shooting track race offset by a heap of dunks from center Dwight Howard - they can't keep up. The key Tuesday will be which team imposes its will and style.
Detroit has done a tremendous job on Howard, who is averaging 15.5 points on 51 percent shooting, 12.5 rebounds and three blocks against Detroit. He scored 22.6 points on 64 percent shooting, grabbed 18.2 rebounds and blocked nearly four shots a game in the first round.
Howard scored just eight points (with no baskets after the first quarter) in Detroit's 90-89 comeback win at Orlando on Saturday. That output matched the career playoff low he set when the Pistons swept the Magic in the first round last season.
The Magic shot 47 percent in Game 4, held the Pistons to 90 points and went 10-for-18 on three-pointers. They did almost everything they needed to do to win besides score in transition and get more from Howard.
"We want a physical game," Detroit's Rasheed Wallace said. "That is right up our alley."
To bring this series back to Orlando for a Game 6 on Thursday night, the Magic will have to stop a seven-game playoff losing streak at Detroit's place. Their last postseason win at the Palace was Game 2 of a first-round matchup on April 20, 2003.
Betting trends: Magic are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. ... Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. ... Pistons are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games. ... Under is 9-2 in Magic's last 11 road games. ... Over is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings in Detroit. season will not end on Tuesday night - if you believe
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