AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons provide plenty of fodder for those who want to criticize them for playing their best only when they’re down or doubted.
Antonio McDyess doesn’t.
He often plays with the most energy on a team that traditionally peaks and flops depending on whether it’s up, even or behind in a series.
Playing his best playoff game in perhaps a decade, McDyess had 21 points and 16 rebounds to lift Detroit to a 94-75 series-evening victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The 33-year-old McDyess rejuvenated his injury-plagued career when he signed with the Pistons in 2004 — shortly after they won the NBA title — and refused to let a broken nose slow him down this postseason.
“You only have so many opportunities, and they’re limited, especially for me,” he said. “I’m at the end of my career, and I just feel like leaving everything out on the floor.”
McDyess did just that, beating the Celtics to loose balls, defending them with strength and quickness and making most of his shots.
“Dice has been our best player in the postseason, and we’re all feeding off his energy,” said teammate and close friend Chauncey Billups, who scored 10 points. “You see how hard he is working, and you can’t help but play hard.”
Playing hard probably won’t be a problem for either team or any player as the Eastern Conference finals becomes a best-of-three series.
Game 5 is Wednesday night in Boston, then the Pistons will host Game 6 on Friday night. If necessary, the Celtics will be back at home Sunday night.
Boston’s Sam Cassell wasn’t surprised the Pistons played the way they did.
“When you’re down 2-1, you’ve got to be desperate,” Cassell said.
The Celtics desperately need their stars to play better than they did Monday.
Boston’s Big Three shot poorly, as did most of the Celtics, but the NBA’s top-seeded team stayed competitive for much of the game thanks to a stark disparity in free throws.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined to miss their first seven shots and finished 11-for-38 from the field. Garnett and Pierce scored 16 points apiece and Allen had 11.
Billups sealed the win with a 3-pointer with about three minutes left, making some forget the struggles he had much of the game on his sore right hamstring.
