Men against boys After leading by 19 points early in the 3rd quarter the Bulls young hopefuls fell apart last night to a dominant Detroit Pistons, who looked every inch a team that has appeared in the last 5 Eastern Conference finals.

In the first half Pistons scored just 28 points and the Bulls led by 16 at the half and with the United Center at fever point, the players entered the court for the 2nd half with only one result expected. However with Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince in blistering form, the Bulls had no response in the 3rd quarter as Pistons rattled in 15 points in a couple of minutes as the Bulls missed 6 of 7 shots and committed three turnovers.

Prince scored eight in the spurt and Billups added five, but it was the Pistons' defence that smothered Chicago's youngsters and late on it was truly men against boys as Detroit destroyed the disconsolate Bulls 81-74.

The NBA season is too long, but the play-off's is where it gets serious and to see the Pistons in this form was truly a sight to behold. They now lead the best of seven series 3-0 and could wrap it up on Sunday night.

Afterwards shooting gaurd Ben Gordon, who failed to score in the 2nd half said, "This was the biggest game of everybody's life, so it's tough. You try to stay positive. We have another game here."

However no NBA team has ever come back from being 3-0 down in the play-offs.  ¶ 10:34