In a battle of the Beasts of the East, the most hyped NBA game so far this year turned out to be one of the best of the young season. 

Pistons just finished beating the Celtics 87-85 on two Billups free throws with 0.1 seconds left.  I watched every second of the game from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Lindsey Hunter provided an early 4th quarter spark with five points and two steals as the Pistons finally took the lead for the first time since early in the 1st quarter and after trailing by as many as ten in the second half.  Billups came in the game after a Celtics timeout and went to work on the Celtic’s young point guard Rondo or whatever his name is (although Rondo was killing Chauncey in the first quarter).  Mr. Big Shot just couldn’t be stopped though- he finished with 28.  Boston hit back to back threes in the final minute, and after Billups turned it over with five seconds left, they had a chance to win it but Pierce missed a jumper and Rasheed got the rebound and called a timeout with 1.7 seconds left, setting up Billups on the line after he pump faked his man and drew the foul.

What a game!  I have to give to the Celtics, though - they looked as good as advertised.  My hope is that Boston plays Cleveland in the playoffs before either team plays Detroit.  Miami and Chicago right now aren’t even close to making the playoffs if the season were to end right now, but that may change - although I’m shocked both teams are playing so bad.  In the West, the Spurs are looking good as always and the Mavs and Suns are right there too.  My two favorite teams out West are Golden State and Denver, so I try to stay up for them if ESPN or TNT shows them on the late game.

I’m an NBA junkie and tonight was like the ultimate fix.  Plus my favorite team of all got the W.  DEEEEETROIT BASKETBAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!  The Pistons also have the best house band - remember when I wrote about The Sun Messengers?