These two teams boasted the best two records in all of basketball while ranking first (Detroit at 90.1) and second (Boston at 90.3) respectively during the season in points allowed. A defensive struggle should be expected, meaning uncontested field goal opportunities will be a rare commodity. So, the question is: Where will the scoring come from?

The Celtics will look to push the tempo as they attempted to do with varying degrees of success in the Cleveland series, while Detroit will take a more methodical offensive approach from their half-court set. The Pistons are an unselfish team offensively. They don't care where the scoring comes from. They just want to convert. Richard Hamilton’s ability to run Ray Allen ragged off of screens will be a key, as will Chauncey Billups posting Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace’s battle down low with Kevin Garnett. The Celtics, who held opponents to an NBA-best 41.9 percent shooting during the season, are adept at clogging the lanes and play stifling help defense. If Detroit has to settle for jumpers as a result, the Celtics could take advantage as they out-rebounded the Pistons by an average of 45.7-to-36.0 in their three meetings this season. Boston’s offense, meanwhile, typically runs either through Pierce or Garnett, while it sometimes relies on Rondo’s penetration and kick-outs to Allen. Detroit's defense, which held the opposition to just 43.7 percent shooting this season (behind only Boston and Houston), possesses equally adept help defenders and excellent communication.

In the playoffs, the Celtics are unbeaten at home (8-0) and winless on the road (0-6). They've averaged 95.9 points in home games and 85.8 points per game on the road. This will need to change in order for Boston to advance. Look for Allen to regain his shooting touch (he shot just 38.5 percent in the first two series) and become a major force in this series. Garnett will also assert himself on the offensive end despite facing a difficult, but familiar, match-up with Wallace. Rondo's quickness will be utilized in the open court and Boston will get a spark from its bench, particularly Sam Cassell, Glen Davis and James Posey. The Celtics will not panic even if they drop a game at home. This will be a long, hard-fought series that will wind up back at The Garden for Game 7 where Boston will triumph.