AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Detroit took advantage of what seemed to be a little help from the scorer's table and went on to beat Orlando.
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Chauncey Billups scored 28 points, three on a disputed shot at the end of the third quarter, and the Pistons held off the the Magic 100-93 on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in the second-round series.
"It's tough to be on the other end of that play,” Billups said. "But I'll take it.”
Billups officially made a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left in the third, ending a play that started with 5.1 seconds and seemed to take a fraction of a second longer using replays the officials didn't use during a 5-minute delay.
The shot put Detroit ahead 78-76.
Lead official Steve Javie declined to be interviewed by a pool reporter during a timeout, and ignored another reporter shouting to speak with him after the game.
Orlando had the ball down by two points late in the game, but Rashard Lewis missed a running scoop shot, Dwight Howard just missed a putback and Hedo Turkoglu couldn't grab the offensive rebound.
Magic reserve Keyon Dooling fouled Richard Hamilton before the ensuing pass was made from the sideline, giving Detroit a free throw — made by Hamilton — and the ball.
Billups then made two free throws to put Detroit ahead by five points with 10.9 seconds left to seal the win.
Game 3 in the series is Wednesday in Orlando.
The Magic likely head home bitter about a call that went against them and some strong performances that went all for naught.
Howard bounced back from a lackluster game with 22 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks.
Jameer Nelson scored 22 points, making five 3-pointers, before fouling out with 1:23 left in the game, hacking Hamilton and putting him on the line down by two points.
Lewis overcame a slow start to score 20 points. Maurice Evans had 13 points and Turkoglu added 12, putting each of the Magic's starters in double figures.
Detroit had a balanced attack, too.
Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince scored 17 points.
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Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince scores two of his 17 points driving past Orlando's Dwight Howard on Monday night. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.