Why the Nets can win Game 7

Over the last three seasons, the New Jersey Nets have made franchise history on a regular basis. Considering their history, that is not really remarkable.

What is remarkable is the way that the Nets have conquered all sorts of obstacles on their way to making history. Their resiliency in the face of almost certain defeat is why Nets' fans should not count out their team in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pistons on Thursday night in Detroit.

In honor of the first Game 7 in Nets history, here are seven reasons why the Nets have a legitimate chance to win the deciding game of a fantastic series.

1. The Miller Game

Although the Nets have never played a Game 7, the core of this team has experienced a series-ending game before. In 2002, the Nets hosted Indiana in a First Round, Best of Five playoff series. The Nets had the game (and the series) locked up before Reggie Miller hit a three-point prayer from 35 feet out to send the game into overtime. Instead of folding from the shock of the Miller shot, the Nets rallied from a four- point deficit to tie the game in the first overtime before taking over and winning the game in double overtime, 120-109. That year, they would go on to reach their first NBA Finals. The Nets have not forgotten about that win and still point to it as the catalyst for their continued success in pressure situations in the postseason.

2. Road Warriors

The Nets have won big playoff games on the road. In a near replica of the Indiana Game 5, Chauncey Billups last-second three-point launch threatened to steal the game from New Jersey. A gutsy effort, led by little-used reserve Brian Scalabrine, enabled the Nets to outlast the Pistons in double-overtime of Game 5 in Detroit. They have won in Detroit and have the belief that they can do it again. Also, the Nets have won series-clinching games over the Celtics at fabled Boston Garden in 2001 (Conference Finals) and 2002 (Conference Semi-Finals).

3. Kenyon

The Nets emotional leader, Kenyon Martin, has orchestrated some of his best playoff performances in the face of the unfriendly confines of the road. Martin posted a career-high 36 points at Madison Square Garden in Game 4 of the Nets sweep of the emotional series against their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks. During the 2003 playoffs, Martin posted 29 points in a first-round Game 6 win at Milwaukee, 25 points in Game 3 of the Conference Semi-Finals at Boston and 25 points in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Detroit, giving the Nets a commanding 2-0 series lead (they went on to sweep the series, 4-0). Martin is a fierce competitor who feeds off the energy of the crowd. He has also shown the ability in this series to score against the Pistons star defender, Ben Wallace. If Martin can stay out of foul trouble, look for him to play a major offensive role in Game 7.

4. Which Chauncey Billups Will Show Up?

The Pistons floor leader has defined offensive inconsistency in this series. In the three Pistons victories in this series, Billups shot 14-29(.483). In the three losses, he shot 12-46(.261). If Billups can't find his shot, it will be a big intangible working in the Nets favor.

5. Jason Kidd

When healthy, Jason Kidd is the best player on either team. However, he has been hampered by knee and back trouble and is clearly not 100%. With the series on the line, Kidd needs to step forward with his best effort of the playoffs. He has not been able to drive to the basket with any regularity in the series and will have to find a way to do so in Game 7. Kidd's penetration opens up easy looks for the rest of the Nets, while also enabling him to get to the foul line if he decides to take it himself. Despite the exploits of Martin and Jefferson, this is still Jason Kidd's team. He needs to carry them on his back if they want to win the series.

6. Rebounding

After getting hammered off the boards in Game 6, the Nets realize that they have to rebound to have a shot in Game 7. They are one of the few teams in the NBA that can rebound effectively at all five positions on the floor. It is simply a matter of desire and fundamentals. There is no doubt that head coach Lawrence Frank has pounded this message into his team over the past few days. If the Nets can battle Detroit to at least a draw on the boards, they will be in the ball game right down to the wire.

7. Experience

Although much has been made of the disparity in playoff experience between Pistons head coach Larry Brown and Frank, the Nets clearly have the advantage in terms of the players on the floor. The Nets have fought through blood, sweat and tears to reach back-to-back NBA Finals and to challenge for a third trip this season. The Nets top seven players in the rotation have been with the Nets throughout their playoff runs. (Kidd, Kittles, Jefferson, Martin, Collins, Harris, Williams). They know each other so well that they can trust their instincts and have the confidence that their teammates will make the right decisions. On the other hand, the Pistons are a collection of individual talents who have been glued together over the past few years. It is certainly questionable whether inconsistent players like Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince can stand up to the intensity of a Game 7. Also, the Pistons lack of experience with one another could work against them if they were to fall behind late in the game. The Net players have shared the feeling of post-season victory and they know what it takes to survive under the most difficult circumstances. The Pistons will have to prove that they have come together as a unit in order to make the final step.