Pistons eyeing knockout

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The numbers never favored Indiana. Not at the beginning of Game 5 Sunday, not at halftime, not at the end. For the second time in the NBA Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers set a franchise playoff low for points (65). After making 6 of its first 10 shots from the floor, Indiana went 19 for 66 (29 percent) the rest of the game.

Those facts and figures from Game 5 -- an 83-65 Detroit victory -- should be encouraging for the Pistons, who can clinch a berth in the NBA Finals with a win tonight in Game 6 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. But Detroit coach Larry Brown knows his team has not responded well to success in this series. He said so in his postgame press conference. The Pistons only have to look as far as their effort, or lack thereof, the last time they played at home. Indiana posted a 15-point win in Game 4 to even the series.

So practice for the Pistons yesterday was as much about mental preparation as physical preparation. Brown wants his players to recognize and seize the opportunity before them. Another loss at home and the momentum -- and the series -- will shift back to Indiana for Game 7.

"You've got to make the most of it because it doesn't happen to every team," said Brown. "This team went to the finals of the conference last year and we got beat four straight. If you have an opportunity to go on to the NBA Finals, it's some incredible achievement. So, hopefully, we'll understand that."

Brown believes Detroit's performances in these playoffs -- including Game 3 against Milwaukee, a must-win Game 6 against New Jersey, and Game 5 against Indiana -- show that the team can step up to the challenge of crucial contests. He also hopes that being blown out by the Pacers in Game 4 will be an invaluable lesson about not taking anything for granted.

The Pistons believe a strong start will be key. And another high-scoring night from Richard Hamilton would go a long way toward securing the Eastern Conference title. Hamilton & Co. may benefit from the Pacers' recent injury woes. In addition to Jermaine O'Neal (left knee) and Jamaal Tinsley (left ankle, knee, and hamstring), Ron Artest missed practice yesterday with a migraine. But all three should start tonight.

Even in good health, the Pacers probably would have their hands full with Hamilton.

"I'm a very confident person," said Hamilton, who scored a career playoff-high 33 points in Game 5. "My coaches always said, `Rip, the biggest problem is, you think every shot is going in.' And I always feel that way."

While Hamilton has impressed on a national stage, he follows the party line, saying it will take a team effort to defeat the Pacers. Cliche, but true. It will take the kind of stifling defense that has kept Indiana to franchise lows in points. It will take more big contributions inside from Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, though Ben recently has been plagued by a sore back. It will also take a strong start, forcing Indiana to face the difficult task of playing from behind on the road.

"This team beat us on our home court the last time," said Chauncey Billups. "We know that. We've got to do the things we didn't do in [Game 4] as far as picking up our intensity and having that killer instinct to win the game.

"I'm anxious and excited [about reaching the Finals], but we've got to channel that in the right direction. We're not there yet."