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All season, the spotlight has been on the Boston Celtics. And all season, the Detroit Pistons have worked the background. Profile aside, the Celtics and Pistons are the Eastern Conference's top teams and a playoff clash seems inevitable. The green-and-white are flanked by Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. But The Big Three is backed-up by an underrated supporting cast; coach Doc Rivers can call on a bevy of veterans and energetic youngsters ... The AM Take: All season, the spotlight has been on the Boston Celtics.  And all season, the Detroit Pistons have worked the background. Profiles aside, the Celtics and Pistons are the Eastern Conference’s top teams and a playoff clash seems inevitable.

The green-and-white are flanked by Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. But The Big Three is backed-up by an underrated supporting cast; coach Doc Rivers can call on a bevy of veterans and energetic youngsters.

Motown also has star power. For years, Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace have carried the Pistons.  But unlike the last few seasons, Detroit finally has second-unit chemistry.

Two great teams. Only one can represent the east in the NBA Finals. Who has the best shot at winning the  Eastern Conference: Boston or Detroit? Read the post, form an opinion, and hit us off in the comment box below.

The Case for the Celtics …

• It starts and ends with Boston’s trio. Out on the perimeter, Allen and Pierce give opponents fits. Down-low, Garnett sets the tone with his intensity.
  

• They win by getting stops. Recently, the Celtics went into Texas and beat the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs by playing precision defense.  

• Last August, fans laughed at who’d line-up next to Allen, Garnett, and Pierce. The joke was three Hall of Fame players plus nine NBDL cast-offs. But GM Danny Ainge has quietly assembled a deep team, finding the right mix of experience and youth.

The Case for the Pistons …

• Detroit’s four All-stars give them an advantage over every NBA team. Billups and Hamilton abuse opposing backcourts, while Prince and Wallace light-up opposing forwards.
  

• Their post-season experience will help in May and June. Each year, the Pistons push deep in the playoffs, making either the Eastern Conference Finals or advancing through to the championship round.

• Detroit’s bench played a key part in their 2003-04 NBA Title. This year, Coach Flip Saunders can legitimately use eleven or twelve players in a number of situations.
  

Boston or Detroit? Who is the Eastern Conference’s best team? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. Click here for more of Oly's NBA Blog and AM Take. (Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenmama/2321827555/sizes/o/)