Two great teams will battle for the ultimate goal, the championship, when the Spurs and the Pistons play the final game on thursday night at San Antonio. The two best defensive teams of the league, the last two teams to win the championship, it couldn't end differently.

This has been a strange but great series, at least the last games. Against all odds, the Spurs started the series with two routs, only to see the Pistons strike back with the same poison. But when were this teams going to play the expected close, drama-filled game everyone expected to see in the whole series?

In Game 5 both teams performed in what easily is a classic game, with enough drama and controversy to make you forget the first games. A Playoffs hero delivered again, being left wide open for a three that would later ignite a lot of criticism from the player supposed to cover him, Rasheed Wallace. The Spurs would win it at Detroit, really stating the series, as the say goes that " a series begins when the home team loses".

While casual fans would declare Detroit dead, people following the NBA closely knew that when the Pistons are against the walls, they perform at their best. Proving them right, the Pistons reacted in Game 6, yet another game close until the end. Again, no team got up by more than 3 points. The Spurs getting the best of their inside-outside game, either finding Duncan for an easy bucket, of passing outside for a three. Meanwhile, Detroit used their energy and their patience to find ways to score, keeping them in the game. But in the end, the Pistons would prevail, hitting tough shots and making the Spurs turn the ball over and miss three's with their great defense.

Now, it all comes down to what many expected and most hoped, a Game 7 winner-takes-all. For the Pistons, the task isn't easy as they have to make what no other team has ever done: win two on the road in Games 6 and 7. And don't forget the fact that they just handed the Spurs their 6th loss at home this season. But things aren't easy for San Antonio too, as they have to defeat the current champions, a team that has proved that is no fluke, that their team play can stop any star-driven team. They go against a team that plays at their best when they are against the walls. A team that has really shown to belong here, in the Finals, and to deserve their rings of last season.

Thursday night, a great series comes to an end. Both teams are champions, but only one can take the trophy home. Will the Spurs clinch it at home? Will the Pistons pull off the miracle and shut up critics? We'll soon find out on the game both teams knew they would have to play: Game Seven.

[Edited by - KnicksFan on 06/22/2005 01:10:23]

Well, I thought the Spurs would end it in 6, I guess it will be Spurs in 7 then

I have to admit, I was one of the many that were really disappointed when the finals matchup was decided, thinking that this would be the most boring (and possibly lopsided) finals ever. Hats off to Detroit, they are the real deal. Miami, my choice for East Champs, wouldn't have survived 6 games vs. the Spurs.

As for excitement, the last two games were awesome! I've never been a Horry fan, but now I guess I am! What an enigma, how can he just take over big games like that... while remaining largely anonymous the rest of the season?! And the only other guy with the monicker "big shot", Chauncey Billups? He's been ballin' as well.

Game 7 is gonna be around 9am Friday over here, I'm gonna take half the day off from work just to watch it

Detroit is indeed a very surprising team.

There is a saying I read somewhere that you needed to win the championship twice to be considered as real.

In my book the pistons already proved a lot by reaching the finals again and playing weel against a very strong spurs team. Winning that game 6 on the road was really tough when it would've been sooooo easy to fold.

Rashweed stepped it up last nite. Made all the difference!

There was a moment when Billups wanted to protest a bad call and he just kept running around to compose himself.

They were focused on the task! Mentally strong players can do this! They basically let game 5 slip, and were confident enough to maintain momentum!

Larry Brown is a great coach! I respect and like both teams, but this would cement his place and the pistons as a great team rather than a fluke who took the lakes when they were cooked last year.

Bring larry home to us!

What a dunk!

Posted by Bobby:

no hype.....pistons are for real

One championship too late from being a bold post.