For the first time in 11 years there will be a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.
Pistons and Spurs fans in the East Lansing area are getting ready for what could be one of the most memorable Game 7s in the history of basketball.
"The game is going to be close and go down to the wire," physiology senior Ryan VanElslander said. "Detroit has too much heart to lose in Game 7."
"I've been predicting that the Pistons were going to win since the beginning of the season."
In Game 6, the Pistons were hot, firing from behind the arc, shooting 8-for-17 from beyond the 3-point line.
In the previous five games against the Spurs, Detroit shot 8-for-44 from 3-point land.
With their 95-86 victory, the Pistons became the first road team to win Game 6 of the NBA Finals since the 2-3-2 format started in 1985.
The win also was the first in San Antonio for the Pistons since April 2, 1997 - a span of eight years, two months and 19 days. The starting backcourt that night was current reserve guard Lindsey Hunter and President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.
The Pistons have played in three Game 7s, one in each of the last three playoff seasons - against Orlando in 2003, New Jersey in 2004 and Miami this season.
So what do the Pistons have to do to win?
"Shut down Manu Ginobili's left-handed drive, double team Tim Duncan," 2005 MSU graduate Torri Peterman said. "(The Pistons) have to have better rotation on defense."
And for the Spurs to win?
"The Spurs have to hold back Chauncey, Manu has to come out of his slump and Duncan has to make his free throws," VanElslander said.
Duncan has led the Spurs in rebounding throughout the playoffs with 12.5 rebounds per game. He has also averaged 23.5 points per game in the playoffs.
"They need to get rebounds and get Duncan the ball further down in the post," elementary education sophomore John Davis said. "They have to play good team basketball."
Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups, the NBA Finals MVP from last year, has stepped up again for the Pistons. He scored 34 points in Game 5 and in Game 6 had 21 points, six assists, six rebounds and zero turnovers.
Davis, who is a Spurs fan, thinks San Antonio will win the game and the series.
"I think that San Antonio will pull it out in a close game," Davis said. "They have more experience and two rings."
However, Pistons fan VanElslander feels the red, white and blue will be victorious.
"The Pistons are going to win by five, and the game will come down to free throws," said VanElslander.
If Detroit wins, it will be the second time the franchise has won back-to-back titles, and if San Antonio wins, it will be its third title in the last seven years.
The game will be televised at 9 p.m. on ABC. Pre-game coverage starts at 8:30 p.m.
