I've had it with all these "Keys to the Game" TV segments. They're insufferable. I mean, there's the occasional astute observation, but mostly it's just things like "Ben Gordon and Luol Deng must find a way to score" and "Stopping Chauncey Billups is vital." That stuff makes me want to throw my TV out the window. It's non-analysis analysis. It serves no purpose. Might as well go with this:

Clearly there are certain things the Bulls must improve upon if they hope to get back in this series. They absolutely must clear their defensive boards better. They have to take better care of the ball. They have to get some transition buckets. Etcetera. Etcetera.

Still, above all else, the change in venue figures to be the biggest 'key' to Game 3, which now looms as the most significant of the series, and for that matter, the season.

Rare as it is in the NBA, the Bulls lost Games 1 and 2 in the first quarter, where they were outscored by a combined 22 points. A couple missed shots, a few turnovers and, on the other side, a red hot-shooting Detroit team, all conspired to sap the Bulls of their confidence almost immediately. Talk about effort all you like, but the Bulls came out an intense bunch in Game 2, and we all saw where that got them.

For a young team playing a superior squad on the road (and the Pistons are that – maybe not to the extent Games 1 and 2 suggested, but they are better), a downturn in confidence can be all it takes.

You'd hope the Bulls could overcome a slow start like that, but road crowds in the NBA are merciless. Much like the teams themselves, NBA crowds detect a single vulnerability and exploit it. You miss an early jumper, commit a turnover, whatever – you'll hear about it the rest of the game.

Conversely, at home in the Palace, the Pistons gained the confidence of rock stars early in the first two games. With the crowd moved to fits of delirium by the early leads, the Pistons started to play beyond themselves. Contested three from the corner? No problem. Banked turnaround 20-foot jumper? Piece o' cake. That's what good teams do at home. They become a team of superheroes.

This isn't about excuses. Road teams still win occasionally in the playoffs, and if the Bulls hope to win this series, they'll have to take at least one game in Detroit. In order to do so, the hideous, embarrassing basketball they've played so far won't do. But remember, they've been playing the top team in the East – a powerful, veteran group. Unpleasant as it's been, these things happen.

Now it's the Bulls' turn to feed off the home crowd energy, to find the confidence to do what they're capable of – and hopefully a little more.

I have a feeling the Bulls, who at 31-10 owned the best home record in the East this season, will do just that tonight.

If they don't, well, I'd rather not think about it right now.

Discuss