The Nets will take on the Pistons in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, which New Jersey swept in four games. The two teams split this year's season series 2-2, with each team winning one game on the other's home court. Richard Jefferson averaged 21.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in those 4 games for the Nets, while Chauncey Billups averaged 17.3 points and 6.0 assists for the Pistons. The Nets will need to avoid turnovers against the Pistons' pressure defense and convert on open looks from the outside.
- New Jersey Nets at Detroit Pistons - NBA.com
- Nets must remain cool to avoid falling into trap - Brad Parks - Star-Ledger
- Game 1 Keys - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Nets fired up for Pistons rematch - Ohm Youngmisuk - New York Daily News
- Series key: make those Js - Marty Noble - New York Newsday
- Nets Won't Dog It - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Pistons Not Better Team - Mike Vaccaro - New York Post
- Inside the Matchups - New York Post
- Pistons' Defense Setting Net Trap - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Nets Can't Expect Sweep Against Pistons This Time - Steve Popper - New York Times
- Graphic: Nets vs. Detroit - New York Times
- The fire in their eyes - Steve Adamek - Bergen Record
- Respect a touchy issue for Nets - Adrian Wojnarowski - Bergen Record
- Pistons are primed for playoff mission that's far from impossible - Rob Parker - Detroit News
- Quiet success OK with New Jersey - John N. Mitchell - Washington Times
- Pistons emphasize fast start - Perry A. Farrell - Detroit Free Press
- Nets, Pistons still yearn for respect - Drew Sharp - Detroit Free Press
- Jersey laughs off talk of dislike of Pistons - Jemele Hill - Detroit Free Press
- Pistons-Nets Scouting Report - Perry A. Farrell - Detroit Free Press
- NBA playoff notebook - Mark Francescutti - Detroit Free Press
- Matchup box - A. Sherrod Blakely - Booth Newspapers
- Individual matchups important, but for Pistons it's all about the team - A. Sherrod Blakely - Booth Newspapers
- Discuss It! - BasketballBoards.net
- Looking at how the Nets and Pistons match up - Steve Popper - MSG Network