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Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince’s game-saving block

The Detroit Pistons may have been down 1-0 in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Indiana Pacers back in 2004. A two-point lead with under 40 seconds remaining in Game 2 bred optimism that homecourt advantage could be theirs.

After Rasheed Wallace was blocked at the rim and Chauncey Billups was stripped at the end of the shot clock, that hope sprinted away in the form of Reggie Miller breaking towards the rim for an uncontested layup to tie the game.

As Miller gathered his steps for what was possibly the easiest bucket in a 69-67 game, Tayshaun Prince could be seen doing his best to make up the ground between them.

Prince was Detroit’s go-to defender thanks in large part to his 7’2” wingspan. That length is what helped him stifle some of the game’s best perimeter threats like Miller. Those added inches on a 6’9” frame also explain how he caught up to Miller just in time to send the shot back and preserve the lead.

The layup attempt skied into the arms of Richard Hamilton, who was fouled as Prince tried to emerge after laying out among the baseline crowd. Not even the announcers could contain a complete shock at the precise timing Prince needed to avoid a goaltending call. Hamilton would make both free throws to help seal the Detroit win.

In the event of an overtime session, the Pistons wouldn’t have been out, but their chances in the absence of momentum in front of a crazed Bankers Life Fieldhouse wouldn’t have been NBA encouraging. Subsequently, a 2-0 hole offers odds that aren’t easily winnable.

Instead, Prince’s defensive heroics ensured a tied series that served as a stepping point to Detroit’s improbable 2004 championship.