AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -Richard Hamilton scored 22 points, one of four Pistons with at least 17, to lead Detroit to a 98-90 victory over Orlando on Monday night and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
Hedo Turkoglu scored 22 points and Grant Hill had 21 for the Magic, but their teammates – particularly Dwight Howard – didn’t do enough to give Orlando any shot at evening the best-of-seven series.
Howard was held to eight points and didn’t score in the second half until the final minute.
Game 3 is Thursday night in Orlando.
Detroit led by 15 points early in the fourth quarter, but were ahead by just six with 1 1/2 minutes left. On the ensuing possession, Chauncey Billups ended Orlando’s comeback hopes with a three-point play.
Billups had 21 points, eight assists and only one turnover. Tayshaun Prince scored 18 points for Detroit, while Rasheed Wallace had 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
The Magic didn’t have a third player in double figures until the final minute of the game when former Piston Darko Milicic scored his 10th point – all in the fourth quarter.
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