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Note: Exclusive coverage of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN (with analyst Doc Rivers, on loan from ABC Sports) and ESPN Radio (with analyst Dr. Jack Ramsay) will continue with Game 6 tonight. Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and at 7:40 p.m. on ESPN Radio.

Prescription for: Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers

Doc Rivers, ABC Sports

DIAGNOSIS: "This is a match-up of two great defensive teams. It will be a close series, which I think might be decided by home court advantage."

Dr. Jack Ramsay, ESPN Radio

DIAGNOSIS: "Teams can't change what they do best at this point of the season, but the key is to go after the opponent's soft spot."

PRESCRIPTION AS FOLLOWS...

Detroit Pistons:

- Teams don't change this late. I thought Detroit would stick with their strengths and they did. They pounded Indiana inside and the Pacers had no answer for Rip Hamilton. They will keep going to him. Clearly he has been the MVP of the series. He's done it all. - Detroit also has to get Rasheed Wallace the ball down low. He has to be a volume shooter.

- I don't think Larry Brown will worry at all about a repeat of Game 4. In closure games, you don't have to worry about intensity. If they lose, they many not come home again until next year.

- Each team that loses in this series comes out the next time and gets back to the basics of their game, executing better and shooting better. You can even tell by their demeanor before the game. I said last night the Pistons looked grim and determined when they lined up. They need that kind of focus to close this out at home.

- Larry Brown doesn't like to make changes. He's the type that if this is how we planned it, then this is how we'll do it. That worked in Game 5 and the Pistons need to play their game that well and use their strengths again.

- All Larry Brown has to do is point to how his team came out for Game 4 and compare it to how they came out for Game 5. He has to tell his team, "We gotta have it. We can't go back to Indiana."

Indiana Pacers:

- Can the Pacers pull out Game 6? It's going to be a daunting task.

- They have to get Jermaine O'Neal at least 20 shots, and quality shots near the basket.

- Someone besides O'Neal has to have a big game...most likely Artest, Harrington or Miller.

- Indiana must stick with "small ball" because the can't win using power, but the small guys have to hit their shots. Croshere has to do a better job of spacing the floor than Game 5. The better they play, the more open he will be.

- Now it's the Pacers' turn to respond. It's up to the players. They have to ask themselves, "Who's going to step up? Who's going to shoot well? Who's going to contribute off the bench?" I don't think there is anything tactically they can change. They have a good feel for what problems Detroit presents.

- Indiana is good road team and the Pacers have to come out focused and ready like they did for Game 4.

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