posted May 17, 2007 at 19:18 EST in NBA Free Picks

Although TNT incessantly shows promos for their popular series The Closer throughout the NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons seem to have problems closing.

They didn’t have an issue in the first round, when they swept the Orlando Magic, but struggles in the second round are a familiar sight in Detroit under head coach Flip Saunders.

In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, Detroit had a commanding 2-0 series lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers and seemed in complete control as the series headed back to Cleveland for Game 3. They nursed a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter in Game 3, but ended up losing the contest, as well as momentum, as Cleveland finally found life.

After the Cavs found out how to have success against the Pistons, they pushed it to the limit, giving the Pistons a scare all the way into Game 7.

 

For Detroit, after dominating Cleveland early in the series, a quick four or five game series would have meant that they would be much fresher for their Conference Final with the Miami Heat, which they eventually lost.

The pattern has repeated itself once again in the second round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs, as the Pistons are having trouble closing.

After destroying the Bulls in the first three games of the series, the Pistons have seemingly forgotten how to win. The Bulls have won two straight games, but it is the manner that they have won that should cause concern for Detroit.

The Pistons have lost by 15 and 16 points in the last two games and have not even had a whiff at winning either game.

Now they are back in Chicago, where the Bulls figure to once again have the advantage. Unlike the first time these two teams met in Chicago earlier this series, the Bulls have the momentum.

Chicago has to keep rolling because playing on the road does not deter Detroit; they are 30-15 on the road this season. They are also 5-2 as a road underdog of three points or less. When revenging a home loss, the Pistons are an impressive 11-3.

But when the Bulls get hot, they stay hot. They are 22-9 after a win by ten points or more and are 20-10 after scoring 105 points or more in their previous game.

For the Bulls to do the improbable and win this series, they would have to blow out Detroit for a third consecutive time. But expect this game to be much closer as Detroit has taken the last two games off.

The Bulls win a tight one, but lose Game 7 in Detroit.

Detroit Pistons @ Chicago Bulls

DET Leads Series: 3-2

NBA Free Pick: Chicago -1

Record: 19-16-3

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