Location: Auburn Hills, MI | Arena: The Palace of Auburn Hills (22,076) | Managing Partner: William Davidson Basketball Operations President: Joe Dumars | Head Coach: Flip Saunders | Titles: 3 (1989-90, 2004)
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The Pistons' gritty Game 4 playoff victory over Orlando Saturday gives Chauncey Billups the luxury of easing his way back into the lineup. But the Pistons' point guard and leader doesn't want to miss anymore games even though his team has a 3-1 lead in the second-round series.
Billups accepts injuries as part of the game, but he was cursing his fate at missing Game 4. After testing out his strained right hamstring at the team hotel Saturday morning, Billups knew he couldn't play.
"It wouldn't matter if it were Game 7 of the NBA Finals or Game 4 of Orlando. His leg is just not ready," coach Flip Saunders said. "He can't really do anything to really be effective."
The Pistons can finish off the series in Game 5 at The Palace Tuesday. Billups was injured when he fell forward early in Game 3 after his left foot got tangled up with Jameer Nelson's foot.
Saunders is optimistic his training staff will get his point guard back in the lineup Tuesday.
"We are fortunate we've got some days off until our next game," he said. "All we can do is do what we're doing, give him treatment 24/7. It is getting better; it's just not where it needs to be."
Power forward Antonio McDyess believes the Pistons have control of the series, even if their point guard can't play again.
"I feel we've got the momentum going home now," he said. "We can relax, and just hopefully Chauncey will be ready to play and we'll get this win."
PISTONS 90, MAGIC 89: Small forward Tayshaun Prince scored the go-ahead basket with 8.9 seconds left as the Pistons rallied to take a 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series Saturday night. Detroit trailed by 15 early in the third quarter.
"There were a lot of times in that game, considering the circumstances, that they could have said, 'It's not going to be our night. We'll wait until we get home,'" said coach Flip Saunders. "But they grinded it out."
Following their stirring third-quarter rally, the Pistons had a seven-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. The Magic scored the next eight points, and it was a one-possession game the rest of the way. Prince's runner in the lane, off a double screen, came after Antonio McDyess chased down an offensive rebound.
After a timeout, Magic small forward Hedo Turkoglu went one-on-one against Prince, but Pistons power forward Jason Maxiell slid over to help and Turkoglu's layup try missed badly. So did Dwight Howard's putback attempt.
Prince's game-winner gave him 17 points, and he added a team-best five assists while often running the point. McDyess and Rasheed Wallace were ferocious around the boards and on defense. They combined for 22 rebounds and held Howard without a basket after the first quarter. Turkoglu scored 13 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth.
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I was reading an article in the Detroit Free Press and all the Magic players believe they are a better team than Detroit, even the general manager Otis Smith believes it.
Wow in 2 years you win a total of 1 game and lose eight to the Detroit P
They were able to play the bench a lot at the end of the season to save the starters. Now he barely acknowledges the bench past Stuckey and Maxiell. So when will the Pistons run end due to the starters burning out?
I consider Flip is a decent coach, but when is he going to learn. He is using up the mileage saved at the end of th
Next time Rashard Lewis wants to talk smack about the Pistons and say the Magic are a better team, he better make sure he brings his A-game. He looks like a lost puppy out there. Finish these guys off
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Not to look past Orlando, especially since being up 2-0 meant so much last year against Cleveland, but just wondering IF Detroit were to finish off the Magic, who you guys would want, Boston or Cleveland?
My choice would be Cleveland just because of home court (which again didn't mean d#*k last year). Part of me, thoug
Lifelong Pistons fan, guilty as charged. I am rooting for them to push everyone out of their way to win the championship this year. For game 4, my view is leave Chauncey Billups where he is. In the training room.
Too bad they don't give this kid some minutes. I understand that Flip trusts a veteran like Ratliff more than he does a 20-year old, however, Amir Johnson provided a lot of energy during the season that I think could be beneficial in small doses in the playoffs. What do you guys think?
Dwight Howard seemed to pull a disappearing act tonight! He scored 8 points tonight and I believe only 2 in the second half. Was it the tenacious defense, a lack of intensity from Superman, or a bit of both?
The Detroit Pistons have played themselves into a great position right now. They were in a very vunerable position just a few days ago. Think about it. They allowed the Philadelphia Sixers to get back into the series before they shook the sleep out of their play. They face the Orlando
according to Jameer Nelson the Magic are going to come to detroit and win. oh man that was a stupid thing to do, i thought only rasheed had the balls to do that... guess not, Pistons should win game 5 with relati
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(POLL)
This should be a very interesting and exciting series. The Pistons have received their wake-up call so they should be ready to roll. This isn't the same Magic squad that they disposed of last year, so the task at hand might be harder. The Magic are well rested and are probably a li
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