Richard Hamilton scored 26 points and the defending champion Pistons extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 101-94 victory over the Orlando Magic.
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"We had a 17-point lead and a 4-on-1 break, the next thing you know we're up seven," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "I had just gotten through at the timeout saying the good teams, when they got somebody down like that, you increase the lead. We're having trouble finishing. The nice thing is we got a win and you learn from this."
"Detroit made the plays down the stretch," Orlando coach Johnny Davis said. "That's why they are the champions."
Detroit held a 74-64 advantage heading into the fourth period before Orlando pulled within 90-86 with 3:37 to play on a pair of free throws by Hedo Turkoglu. The Pistons rebuilt the lead to 96-86 on a jumper by Tayshaun Prince with 1:41 remaining.
Chauncey Billups scored 19 points, including seven in Detroit's 9-0 run to start the second half. Prince and Rasheed Wallace each scored 16 points for the Pistons, who have won nine of 11 overall since consecutive home losses to Portland and Chicago last month.
"They run better than any team we've seen this year, and that prepared us for what we will see against Philly and Phoenix," said Billups, who was kneed in the calf during the game but plans to play Saturday against Philadelphia. "Against teams like that, you have to get back and set your defense, and you have to make them work on the other end."
Steve Francis had 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Orlando. Grant Hill and rookie Jameer Nelson scored 17 points each. Hill, playing his first game in Detroit since he left the Pistons in 2000, received a standing ovation when he was introduced before the game.
"I was overwhelmed and shocked by the reaction during the introductions," Hill said. "There was a lot of energy in here and it was unbelievable. I would have liked to play better, but we will see them again next week."
Guard Doug Christie, acquired Monday by Orlando in the deal that sent guard Cuttino Mobley to Sacramento, did not play.
Turkoglu scored 26 points in Wednesday's 87-80 victory at Minnesota but was ice cold in this one. He was 2-of-15 from the field and 0-of-4 from the arc, including a pair of big misses in the final minutes.