RIP'S READY TO ROLL

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197435072960498056.post-32773933096780371922008-05-30T12:20:00.001-04:002008-05-30T12:20:56.176-04:00RIP'S READY TO ROLLRichard Hamilton, who hyperextended his right elbow near the end of Game 5, will play tonight. Hamilton took part in the morning shootaround with a protective sleeve on his elbow. "This is now or never," he said. "I talked to my dad and he said, 'Man, just spit on it. You're all right.' We're at war right now. You ain't go no choice to sit down or anything like that. I feel all right. I feel good enough to go out and play." Other items: Rasheed Wallace, who was fined $25,000 by the league for derogatory comments about the officials, showed up late for the shootaround. He pulled in approximately 15 minutes after it was supposed to start. Look for more ball pressure by the Pistons tonight, especially when they go to their bench. Doc Rivers has virtually abandoned his backup point guards, so Rajon Rondo won't get much rest. I'll give the Pistons a 95 percent chance of winning tonight. I just don't think Boston will have a closeout mentality here after winning two Game 7s at home in the first two rounds. Plus, the Celtics played about as well as they could - crushing the Pistons on the boards, Garnett scoring 33, Ray Allen busting out of his slump in a big way - and they had to hold on for dear life to win Game 5. I can't see them duplicating that performance here.Dana Gauruderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14581017201351926220noreply@blogger.com