Whistles Choke Pistons in Game 7

Spurs step up with some help from the Refs

SALINE, MI  JUNE 24, 2005

I'd like to be one that doesn't accept all this kissing and hugging between the Pistons and Spurs following the epic 2005 NBA finals.  Here the truth: the refs set the tone in Game 7 with their propensity to call every ticky-tack touch, and this doomed the Pistons.  Detroit more than hung in a game where refs where calling everything, but couldn't sustain any kind of rhythm offensively to get it done. 

Sure, credit goes to San Antonio - they opened up the court in the fourth quarter, and played much better defense than the Pistons in the final minutes.  For the first time I can remember, Chauncey wasn't creating open looks. 

The Pistons were so close - remove a bonehead play and a bounce or two in Game 5 and the Pistons would be champs.