Sunday, May 25, 2008

TODAY ON WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

D1scourse: Patrick Stevens will have updates from the college lacrosse final four in Foxborough, Mass., in advance of tomorrow’s title game between Syracuse and Johns Hopkins.

TODAY’S BEST BET ON TELEVISION

There’s buzz about the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in a decade, especially considering Danica Patrick is capable of winning. 1 p.m., Chs. 7, 2

NBA playoffs - Courting an advantage at home

 Going into last night’s game, home teams were 25-3 in the conference semifinals and finals.

 When did it become nearly impossible to win on the road?

 Analysts have pointed to the emotional nature of the game to explain this phenomenon, as home teams tend to play a more aggressive style and get more calls. That appears valid, and the Pistons showed how to overcome that advantage Thursday night: They drew 22 fouls and made 28 of their 32 free throws.

 The Spurs, on the other hand, were blown away in Game 2 in Los Angeles.

 “We’re confident we’re a very good home team, but you hate to put yourself in a position where you’re down 0-2,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan told reporters Friday. “One of two things is going to happen ” either we’re going to turn it around and make this thing into a series, or we’re not.”

TWT FIVE - TOP MOMENTS IN CELTICS-PISTONS RIVALRY

The Celtics and Pistons are playing the seventh playoff series against each other, a rivalry that has included many memorable games. Here are the top moments:

1. Game 5, 1987 Eastern Conference finals: The call is as unforgettable as the play (“There’s a steal by Bird, underneath to DJ!”). Larry Bird stole Isiah Thomas’ inbounds pass intended for Bill Laimbeer and dished it to Dennis Johnson for a layup with one second left as the Celtics won 108-107.

2. Game 5, 1987 Eastern Conference finals: In the second quarter, Robert Parish sucker-punched Laimbeer ” with no foul called at the time. He was suspended for Game 6, the first playoff suspension in NBA history.

3. Game 6, 1988 Eastern Conference finals: The Pistons ended the Celtics’ streak of four NBA finals appearances.

4. Game 5, 2002 Eastern Conference semifinals: Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce finish off the Pistons in the last season before Detroit’s run of six consecutive conference finals berths.

5. Game 7, 1987 Eastern Conference finals: Celtics win 117-114 to advance, but the series was the beginning of Detroit’s Bad Boys team that won two titles.

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