They have often displayed an almost uncanny knack for winning when they need to

They have often displayed an almost uncanny knack for winning when they need to.This strategy has come back to bite Detroit in recent years, though. They are obviously a talented team, which they have shown by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the past six years. Most NBA teams would be thrilled by this high level of consistency, but many in Detroit feel that their team has underachieved.The hole the Pistons have dug themselves into is also magnified by their defeats in Games One and Three of the series.It was widely thought that the Pistons, which were well-rested after defeating Orlando in five games, had a great chance to steal Game One in Boston, which had just finished two grueling, seven-game series.After losing that game, but taking Game Two from the Celtics, the Pistons had a great opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead by winning two home games.This optimism was increased by the Celtics' failure to win a road game in the playoffs to that point. Instead, they fell flat in Game Three, getting beaten soundly in front of a raucus home crowd.None of that matters any more though, as Detroit cannot afford to lose another matc. Against Cleveland last year, the heavily favored Pistons were defeated by the Cavaliers and LeBron James.

This Celtics team is clearly more formidable, having three potential Hall-of-Famers and an impressive reserves corp at their disposal.That said, the desperate Pistons, who always play best with their backs against the wall, will not lose game 6 at home. That leaves Game Seven in Boston, a game in which, as the cliche goes, "anything can happen".In a one game series, the cohesiveness of Detroit's 4-man core, who have played together for 4 years, could pay dividends, especially against the Celtics team, whose "Big Three" are going through their first playoffs together.Pistons in seventh.. * Q1 oper EPS of $0.81 beats est of $0.55 Stocks * Q1 EPS $0.51 * Net investment income rises 94 pct April 23 (Reuters) - Employee-insurance provider DelphiFinancial Group Inc (DFG.N) posted a higher quarterly profithelped by a 94 percent surge in investment income. For the first quarter, the company posted net profit of$24.5 million, or 51 cents a share, compared with a profit of$21.1 million, or 42 cents a share, last year. Operating earnings, which excluded realized investmentlosses and impairment charges, were $38.8 million, or 81 centsa share during the quarter. Analysts on average were looking for a profit of 55 cents ashare, excluding items, according to Reuters Estimates Net investment income rose 94 percent to $62.9 million.

Shares of the company, which competes with Conesco Inc(CNO.N), Stancorp Financial Group Inc (SFG.N) and AmericanEquity Investment Life Holding Co (AEL.N), closed at $16.63Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. For related alerts, please double click on [ID: nWNAB7339] (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bangalore, Editing byDinesh Nair) Stocks. If the SAT still had analogies, we could write this one:Nuclear Bomb : Cockroach :: the 2007-2008 College Football Season : the BCS.Last season did everything to kill it.  At first, it was thrilling - then it got crazy - then it got absurd.  Seven teams ranked #2 lost.  Four times the #1 ranked team lost.  One team lost twice as #1 ... well, they won the thing, so it couldn't have been all bad - but come on Pasadena - USC/UGA would have been one hell of an undercard.)  It was a scenario worse than having a team in the National Championship who lost their conference championship game (Oklahoma - '03).  It was even worse than having a team in the National Championship who did not even win their division in conference (Nebraska - '01).At least the BCS didn't find a way to develop a convenient case of dyslexia and put Notre Dame in the BCS (I swear they're 9-3!).  I'm a Domer of some sort - I'd like to think I'm a rational one ... Virginia Tech - the Hokies will be amped up for revenge, and both they and the Eagles will be coming off bye weeks* 1 November: vs. Clemson - it's been classic the last couple years* 15 November: Florida St.

Spiller return to make for a two-headed monster at RB.  They have talent at WR as well with Aaron Kelly.  The D loses Philip Merling to the NFL, so it will be interesting to see how they compensate on the D-line.  This team, though, has the talent to win the Atlantic.Notable games:* 30 August: vs. Alabama ( Atlanta, GA) - talk about a fun season opener; two good ole programs from the South with two high profile coaches; it's a good matchup* 9 October: Wake Forest - the Tigers have had the Deacs' number even when Wake's been good; this road game on a Thursday night should be a real tester.* 1 November: Boston College - revenge will be on the Tigers' minds; they have an off week to prepare for this too.Trap games:* 27 September: vs. Maryland - after winning the play-in rounds of the South Carolina Invitational against The Citadel and South Carolina State (which sandwich a game against NC State), the Tigers take on the Terps prior to their Thursday night throwdown with Wake; this game has the potential to be a lookahead trap for Clemson* 8 November: Florida State - Bowden Bowl #... oh, I don't know - I stopped caring a long time ago.  Nevertheless, the Tigers best not be complacent after a win at BC (or be despondent after a loss) because the division title may still hang in the balance when these two teams meet.* 15 November: vs.