WASHINGTON, 15 June 2005 — Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown believes his defending NBA champions have a “good shot” at digging themselves out of an 0-2 hole against the San Antonio Spurs in the finals.
The Spurs have thoroughly outplayed the Pistons during the first two games of the series in San Antonio and best-of-seven finals now shifts to Detroit for the next three contests.
“I am confident we have a good shot,” Brown told reporters on Monday. “They (San Antonio) took care of their home court and played great.
“It is obvious they dominated both games in just about every area, out-coached us, out-executed us, and did all of the things that are necessary to win, but we are still the champs.
“We have to win the next game and take care of our home court like they did.”
Though the Pistons are the defending champions, history indicates they are in trouble. Only two of 26 teams have dropped the first two games of the finals and gone on to win the title.
Led by guard Manu Ginobili, the Spurs followed their easy Game One victory with a 97-76 blowout on Sunday night.
Ginobili scored 27 points, hitting six of eight from the floor — including four of five from three-point range — and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says Detroit’s early series problems have nothing to do with a lack of effort.
He expects the Pistons to be “ferocious and physical and aggressive” on their home court.
“They worked as hard as we did (Sunday) night,” Popovich said.
“Don’t assume that they didn’t give a good effort because they lost. We made shots and we were on fire shooting the three and that makes it difficult.”
Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have handcuffed the Pistons during the first two games of the series.
“We need to figure out a way where we can get to the free throw line and get higher percentage shots, I think that is critical,” Brown said.
“I think the most important thing is we have to match their effort from the first minute of the game until the last.”
