Football
Associated Press 17y

McDyess missed after ejection

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons might be on the
verge of playoff elimination because of one bad decision.

Late in the first quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference
finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, Anderson
Varejao took a pass from LeBron James and slashed his way down the
lane. He was rudely intercepted by Antonio McDyess, who
clotheslined him to the floor.

The 11-year veteran was given a flagrant-2 foul, meaning he was
automatically ejected. He watched the rest of the game on
television as his teammates lost 109-107 in double overtime.

"That was big, man, that was big," Detroit guard Chauncey
Billups said. "Dice has been playing great for us, and they know
that kid flops every time. For him to exaggerate -- that's probably
what got him tossed."

The Cavaliers have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, and
can advance to the NBA finals with a victory at home on Saturday.

With McDyess in the locker room, Chris Webber in foul trouble
and Ben Wallace now a member of the Chicago Bulls, the inside
defense Detroit is know for was nowhere to be found.

"It hurt, because he's played so well, and given us so much
energy," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "He's one of our best
defenders."

Jason Maxiell provided some offense -- scoring nine points in the
first half -- but never took a shot in the second half and overtime.
The second-year forward finished with five rebounds and two blocks
in 28 minutes.

On the defensive end, though, he struggled badly, getting beaten
repeatedly at key moments down the stretch by James, who finished
with 48 points. He flailed helplessly when James went past him for
a dunk with 31 seconds left in the first overtime, and was nearly
motionless on the Cleveland superstar's game-winning layup with 2.2
seconds left in the second overtime.

"I thought Maxie played well," Saunders said. "LeBron was
just in a zone tonight. He saw lanes and he attacked them."

Maxiell wasn't the only victim. Without any interior help, even
Detroit defensive ace Tayshaun Prince was unable to stop James,
getting beaten badly for two late game-tying dunks.

"I'm not surprised," James said about his domination of the
paint. "They are definitely a great defensive team, but I was
determined to attack."

Saunders also tried Dale Davis inside in the second and third
quarters, but the 15-year veteran didn't provide much help. Davis
didn't score in his eight minutes, and had as many fouls (two) as
rebounds.

Billups said James' brilliant finish, which included 29 points
in the fourth quarter and overtime, was helped in great part by the
ejection that took place over three hours earlier.

"As we were subbing and subbing, some guys were thinking we
were doing one thing and we were doing another," Billups said.
"That's how he was getting those dunks. It's frustrating not to be
able to get locked in when the stakes are so high."

Maxiell also made a rookie mistake during the McDyess-Varejao
incident. Just after McDyess' hard foul in the lane -- which could
result in a suspension for Game 6 -- James charged at him, but was
intercepted by Maxiell.

James was called for a technical foul on the play, but it might
have been worse had he gotten to McDyess and delivered a blow.
Instead, he finished with his career playoff high, including the
Cavaliers' last 25 points of the game, and moved the Cavaliers
within a win of their first finals appearance.

Cleveland coach Mike Brown didn't know how close he came to
losing James, but said his superstar did the right thing.

"LeBron did what a teammate is supposed to do -- he went to
Andy's defense," Brown said. "That's how this game is played."

^ Back to Top ^