The Red Wings avoided another embarrassing 1st round exit with a 3-0 win over Nashville on Sunday. The Wings did not want to come back to
Joe Louis for game 7, and possibly get knocked out despite finishing the season with the best overall regular season record. A bouncing blast from center ice by Nick Lidstrom broke the scoreless tie in the 2nd period, and the Wings didn't look back after that. Hopefully, now out of the 1st round, the Wings won't play down to their opponents and end up in the Stanley Cup Finals.
A few hours after the Wings clinched, the Pistons played host to the upstart Philadelphia 76ers. Despite building a 15 point lead in the 3rd quarter, Philly was able to chip away at the league, eventually taking it in the 4th quarter, and much like the Wings, never looked back.
Chauncey Billups missed 3 of 4 free throws in the final period, and it really took its toll on the Pistons.
The Pistons looked sharp at time, and listless at others. Their typical M.O. of playing down to their opponents was on display today. They will have an opportunity to get it back on Wednesday, when they host the 76ers again for game 2. I am looking for a very different team to take the floor Wednesday.
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