HoopWatch

It’s the first time the Cleveland Cavaliers will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in 15 years. The last time they went here, Mark Price was still calling the shots in tight shorts and Craig Ehlo was guarding Michael Jordan, being “posterized” each time. This time, they will face the mighty Detroit Pistons.

All the advantages go to the Pistons, as they will be in their fifth consecutive Conference Finals trip. Experience is on their side plus they won the season series against Cleveland, 3-1. LeBron James had to explode for 41 points for that lone win.

There is no secret recipe to Detroit’s success in the East. They play great defense, and they attack with balanced scoring. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have been to all of the team’s five conference finals appearance. Rasheed Wallace helped them win a title in 2004, and Chris Webber has been a perfect fit following Ben Wallace’s departure in the off-season. They all average in double figures.

As I see it, the Cavaliers have no chance in this series. They may put up a decent fight, but I don’t see them extending this match to seven games this time. Detroit had to pull-off two successive victories in last year’s second round match-up with Cleveland. They hacked out a 79-61 Game Seven win while limiting James to just a field goal in the second half.

The difference though is James had to make all the shots last season, but the Cavs bench has tremendously improved this year. Veteran Donyelle Marshall fired 18 points in Game Six against the Nets. Others like Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, rookie Daniel Gibson, Damon Jones, Eric Snow and Larry Hughes may step-up, but Detroit is too good defensively to let that happen. The Pistons are a complete team, and Cleveland is on unfamiliar ground.

I say the Pistons will win this one in six.