NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: PISTONS v HEAT

May 25, 2005

Tayshaun Prince

TAYSHAUN PRINCE: Yeah, we started off slow. We got in foul trouble early. We knew how tough this was going to be obviously getting the first game. You know, no matter what we did wrong in the first half, in the third quarter we still ended up getting even in the start of the fourth. Obviously Wade took over the game. But we didn't really execute well defensively as far as the pick-and-rolls and things like that. Wade took advantage of it.

TAYSHAUN PRINCE: Game 1 he didn't make shots and Game 2 he did. But the thing about it is when you get a couple lay-ups like he did in the first quarter, that gets your game going right away. First quarter he played smart, got a couple of lay-ups, Shaq got a couple of dunks and that got his rhythm going. Obviously a guy like that, when he's got the ball in his hand, your rhythm just clicks so quick, and definitely that was the case.

TAYSHAUN PRINCE: I'm not a coach, I don't make the decisions. Obviously if you're a player you want to be back in the game no matter what. I felt I could have got back in and put Chauncey or somebody else on Wade so I wouldn't pick up the third. No matter how bad we played in that second quarter we still managed to keep it close, and then he did things in order to get back into the game. We got some open shots and hit some big 3s for a stretch. It was a tough decision to make especially when you've got Rasheed with two fouls, as well. You know, it's a tough decision to make, but we still had our opportunities.

TAYSHAUN PRINCE: Oh, definitely. Obviously Game 1 Shaq had it going early so they got him involved, and obviously today Wade had it going, so he pretty much had the ball in his hands for a whole, and obviously it was tough to stay in front of him. But like I said, it's tough to stay in front of a guy and obviously we have got to make some adjustments, but definitely it was his night.