Before these 2005 NBA playoffs began back in 2002, I sat down and wrote that the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs would meet in the Finals. I hit 50 percent. In other words, I’m Shaq at the free throw line.
So my apologies to those of you who bet the farm on my prediction and my congratulations to those of who are now new owners of a farm!
A few things to remember as you peruse my picks: This is a best-of-seven series. All games on WLS-Ch. 7. And Spurs guard Tony Parker is currently spooning with Eva Longoria.
And away we go.
Game 1
at San Antonio, Thursday, 8 p.m.
On the court: The regular-season series was tied 1-1 with each team winning on its home court. Tim Duncan scores 30 playing left-handed and another 15 playing right-handed.
Off the court: ABC cameras catch Longoria mouthing “Bree Van De Kamp sucks eggs.”
Winner: Spurs, 90-85
Game 2
at San Antonio, Sunday, 8 p.m.
On the court: New Pistons strategy: Every time Duncan touches the ball, Ben Wallace tickles him. It works. But Spurs forward Bruce Bowen isn’t ticklish and drops 25 points.
Off the court: Pistons charter flight stops off in Vegas for a Celine Dion show. Team morale soars when the show is canceled.
Winner: Spurs 92-83
Game 3
at Detroit, Tuesday, 8 p.m.
On the court: While the Spurs keep their eyes on suspicious-looking fans, the always-active Richard Hamilton lead all players with 13 miles covered and 21 points.
Off the court: Seventeen Pistons fans are arrested for even thinking about throwing a drink.
Winner: Pistons, 83-79
Game 4
at Detroit, Thursday, 8 p.m.
On the court: Pistons guard Chauncey Billups dishes out 15 assists and reminds T.J. Parker that he was 2004 Finals MVP. Parker just points at Longoria. Billups breaks down.
Off the court: Pistons coach Larry Brown coaches the entire game by phone while en route to Cleveland for house hunting.
Winner: Pistons, 87-86
Game 5
at Detroit, Sunday, 8 p.m.
On the court: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich picks up a key technical foul when he draws up a last-second play for himself.
Off the court: More than 5,000 Manchester United soccer fans show up to cheer Spurs guard Manu Ginobili only to be stunned that he uses his hands.
Winner: Pistons, 105-104 (OT)
Game 6
at San Antonio, Tuesday, 8 p.m.
On the court: The Pistons finally put the clamps on the Spurs’ starting five. The San Antonio Coyote mascot comes off the bench to score 11 points in the final two minutes.
Off the court: In addition to his two technical fouls during the game, Rasheed Wallace is called for five more on the way to the hotel.
Winner: Spurs, 77-73
Game 7
at San Antonio, Sunday, 8 p.m.
On the court: Told before the game that the Pistons haven’t won in San Antonio since 1997, half the team bolts for an early dinner on San Antonio’s Riverwalk. Darko Milicic leads all Pistons with nine points.
Off the court: Parker is named the MVP but he is nowhere to be found.
Winner: Spurs, 114-67.
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Scott Kleinberg (skleinberg@tribune.com)
