NBA Eastern Conference finals: A first look

NO. 1 BOSTON vs. NO. 2 DETROIT

Season series: Boston, 2-1.

A lot has happened since the Celtics finished seven games ahead of the Pistons.

The big number in the East Finals is seven -- the number of days the Pistons will have been off by Tuesday's opener while the Cavaliers dragged the Celtics through Games 5, 6 and 7.

This cuts both ways but the Pistons will happily accept the bargain.

It they're rustier, they're also rested. At their age, with Chauncey Billups back after missing the last two games against Orlando because of a hamstring pull, rest means more than rust.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, the Pistons are like the Cavaliers, with one less superstar but a lot more good players, not to mention more size and depth. Detroit has trouble scoring, too, but the Pistons are rock-ribbed defenders who are tough to score on.

The big question is, what do the Celtics have left after two seven-game series? Paul Pierce emerged from his slump with his 41-point Game 7 Sunday but Ray Allen's point totals in the series were 0-16-10-15-11-9-4.

The Celtics have home-court advantage and the Pistons have to get back up to speed but if Detroit breaks through in one of the first two in Boston, look out.

--

Mark Heisler