The importance of better offense isn't lost on the Pistons.

"A lot of times when we miss shots or go a couple minutes without scoring, our execution gets bad," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said. "It's been past situations where we tried to hurry up and get it all back at once.

"That's what has been happening with us over this season. But we have to execute better."

Prince acknowledged it's easier said than done, especially against a Cavaliers team that ranks among the top two or three teams in most defensive categories.

Despite Cleveland's defense limiting opponents to a league-low 91.4 points per game, Pistons coach Michael Curry doesn't necessarily believe getting into an uptempo game will be the key to a Detroit upset.

"In a half court, as long as we move the ball side to side, we can score and get up towards 100 points," Curry said. "You don't just have to shoot fast."

Curry said Cleveland's ability to force a faster tempo was among the factors in Detroit losing the regular season series 3-1.

"At times, they sped us up," said Curry, who added that "made it difficult for entry passes so we don't get into our sets."

But the Pistons have a few things going for them offensively that might give them a shot at making the series competitive.

There is Will Bynum, who has become one of Detroit's primary scorers off the bench. Since Allen Iverson is done for the season, Bynum has become the team's best backcourt scorer off the bench. Bynum has averaged 16.1 points and

4.1 assists per game.

Although Bynum appeared in all four games against Cleveland this season, the bulk of his playing time against the Cavs came in Detroit's 79-73 loss on March 31.

Rasheed Wallace (left calf strain) is healthy and Antonio McDyess and Richard Hamilton are both well rested after not playing in the regular season finale Wednesday in Miami.

Regardless of who is on the floor for Detroit, the Cavs present the kind of challenge defensively that few teams have been able to handle this season.

"We're going to be prepared," Prince said. "Coach is going to do a good job of preparing us. We just have to go out there and execute. With a good defensive team, no matter how good they're playing, you can't fall into their hands. You have to execute every time down the court. Obviously, we haven't done that throughout the 82-game season. But we have to execute on both ends, that's the bottom line."

Award named after Daly

The National Basketball Coaches' Association announced they will honor former Pistons coach Chuck Daly during the playoffs, in addition to develop a "Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award" to honor a current or former NBA head coach or assistant.

Coaches in the playoffs will wear a lapel pin with the initials "CD" as a sign of support for Daly, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"Chuck has played such an important role as a friend and mentor to so many NBA coaches," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who is president of the NBCA. "It's only fitting that we develop the 'Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award' in his honor."

The inaugural award will be presented later this year.