Between 2004 and 2016, when the expression “The Block” was pronounced, it immediately referred to Tayshaun Prince and his action against Indiana and Reggie Miller in 2004. Since then, LeBron James has been there and his counter in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals on Andre Iguodala has become the benchmark.
Nevertheless, that of the Pistons winger was also a great moment in playoff history. In this Eastern Conference final, Indiana won the first game but in this second set, Detroit has the ball and leads by two points (69-67) with less than a minute left to play.
The perfect chasedown block
Hope is reborn for the Pacers when Jermaine O’Neal against Rasheed Wallace and Jamaal Tinsley receives the ball before sending it to Reggie Miller 22 seconds from time. The shooter, on his own, only has to go up to the circle to equalize.
But that hope is dashed by Tayshaun Prince, who came out of nowhere to counter the Indiana legend. The Pistons winger ends his race in the stands and the Pistons finally win in a battle of trenches as there are no more: 72-67 and 26 against! Detroit shot 34% success, Indiana 27%…
This mythical action perfectly illustrates the statistics of this conference final, a true defensive monument: Detroit will win 4-2 by scoring only 75.2 points on average at 37%, against Indiana’s 72.7 points at 35%.
