Hamilton’s 32 Leads Pistons Past Magic 90-89, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Just because the Detroit Pistons were without guard Chauncey Billups for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinals game against the Orlando Magic, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t panic or tuck tail and go home.  They simply found an alternative source of offense Saturday in Richard Hamilton.  Hamilton didn’t disappoint as he scored 32 points, leading Detroit to a narrow 90-89 win over Orlando at Amway Arena.  The win by Detroit puts them up a commanding 3-1 in their best-of-seven series.

Neither team shot particularly well during the game (Detroit at 45.6% to Orlando’s 46.6%) and there was no noticeable advantage in the rebounding (39-35 Detroit) or assists (18-13 Detroit) departments; Orlando controlled the first half as they went into halftime leading 55-44.  But Detroit would go on a 15-0 run over nearly 7 minutes into the third quarter to knot the game up at 63; Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu drained a pair of 3-pointers and converted a 3-point play in a 90-second span that put the Magic up 86-84 with 2:33 remaining in the game.  With 8 seconds left in the game, Detroit’s Antonio McDyess hit the game-winning jumper, icing the game for the Pistons.

Detroit’s leading scorer was Hamilton with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Prince scored 17 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a block; Rasheed Wallace added 16 with 8 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals.  Antonio McDyess, while scoring only 8 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, stole a ball and blocked 2 shots.  Orlando was led by Turkoglu with 20 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals but committing 5 turnovers while Rashard Lewis, Maurice Evans and Jameer Nelson scored 15 each - with Lewis grabbing 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Evans made 3 treys, 3 rebounds and 2 steals; Nelson grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 6 assists with a block.  Detroit hopes to close the series as they return home to host Orlando on Tuesday at 7:00 PM EST.