Okay, maybe Gothamist was a bit optimistic about the Nets/Pistons series yesterday when we said, "Gothamist thinks it could be an excellent series," or "this series is as good as the Eastern Conference gets," but we did say "could" and that "we don't typically get too excited for NBA action since it's not that fantastic anymore." So we're off the hook, right? We'll pin everything on the Nets, who played an ugly, ugly game, losing to the Pistons, 78-56 (box score), halting their 14 game playoff win streak within the conference. The Nets were stifled by the praise-worthy Pistons defense, who stopped almost everything the Nets attempted.

Detroit dominated on the boards, out rebounding New Jersey 48-29, and holding them to 27.1% shooting. The Pistons were led by Tayshaun Prince, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Richard Hamilton who also had 15. They didn't even need Rasheed Wallace, who was hobbled by plantar fasciitis. Kerry Kittles led the Nets with 15, and Jason Kidd only had 9 points.

Neither team proved to be an offensive juggernaut last night (not that we were expecting that), but since some teams can score more than 56 points in the first half, we thought the Nets would come closer to 70. Some stats from last night:

- The two teams had a combined 62 first half points, lowest in NBA playoff history
- The Nets only had 25 points in the first half, worst in playoff history, and didn't reach 40 until 11:31 was left in the game
- The Nets tied the mark for least first half field goals in playoff history with 19
- The Nets 56 points is only two more than the playoff record 54 set in 1998 by the Jazz
- The combined score was 2nd lowest in playoff history

Everyone knows that last night was just one game, but 56 points?!? Come on! Give us some effort, make it respectable, give us at least 70 points!