Game 2 - Detroit Pistons 98, Orlando Magic 90

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Pistons Lead 2-0 - April 23, 2007 - The Palace of Auburn Hills

		1	2	3	4	F
	MAGIC	22	22	15	31	59
	PISTONS	28	19	24	27	98

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GAME INFO Tipoff: 7:00 PM ET TV: TNT/WRBW MY65 | Radio: WDBO AM 580 | Spanish Radio: AM 1030 WONQ

By Matthew Gardner | OrlandoMagic.com

The Magic return home to Orlando for Game Three on Thursday with their backs against the wall.

A worst-case scenario for a No. 8 seed in the NBA Playoffs is to lose the first two games in an opening round series against the top seed. And that's the dilemma the Magic will have to face after dropping Game Two on Monday evening to the Detroit Pistons, 98-90.

Despite a much-better first half and trailing by only three at halftime, the Magic was unable to keep pace with the Pistons in the second half - trailing by as many as 15 and were unable to catch up.

For the second straight game, Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic in scoring - this time with 22 points. Grant Hill was the only other Magic player in double figures, scoring 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting. The Pistons had a very balanced scoring attack from their starting five as Richard Hamilton led the way with 22 points. Chauncey Billups added 21, Tayshaun Price had 18, Rasheed Wallace scored 17 and Chris Webber added 10 points.

Game Three will be played at 7:00PM ET on Thursday in Orlando.

FOURTH QUARTER
Magic score the first four points of the fourth to pull within eight, 71-63. But just as quick, Detroit turns it around and the lead is back to 13. Orlando's runs in this game haven't lasted for long. Hamilton then adds a jumper and Detroit takes a 15-point lead. It's a 78-63 Pistons lead at the 9:30 mark.

Dooling provides a spark, driving in for a bucket and a foul - hitting the free throw and completing the three-point play. The Magic pull within eight once again, but again the lead doesn't last long. This time it's Hamilton again ending Orlando's 7-0 run with a jumper. Nelson, who hasn't had a very good series so far, drains a three and keeps the Magic within seven points. But Billups comes through again for Detroit, hitting a long three as the clock ticks under six minutes. Milicic gets a hook shot to fall and is then called for a foul on Hamilton. Rip makes both and the lead goes back to 10. Hill then heads to the line for Orlando and makes 1-of-2. We've got less than five minutes remaining in this game.

Turkoglu's shot makes it a seven point game, but Wallace then hits an amazing three-pointer under three minutes and they certainly dampers some spirits for the boys in blue in Detroit and all across Central Florida.

Milicic lays one in as the clock moves under two minutes and Orlando still trailing by eight, 88-80. Nelson then drives in for a quick two and it's a six-point game with 1:30 remaining. McDyess is fouled by Howard as he attempts to grab a rebound off a Wallace miss. Any luck the Magic may have had at getting into this game were just drained as Billups drives in for a layup and foul. The free throw falls and the Pistons lead by nine with 59.1 seconds left.

Final: Detroit Pistons 98, Orlando Magic 90

THIRD QUARTER
Detroit comes out in the third and scores the first five points, taking an eight-point lead. Magic finally get on the board as Howard finds Hill cutting through the lane. Battie adds a basket to keep Orlando within six, but McDyess is fouled and hits both free throws. Prince then hits a long two and the Pistons have a 10-point lead with 7:46 left in the third quarter.

Orlando pulls back within six, but Billups drops a long two - keeping it an eight point game. Detroit keeps it going from there and Hamilton's layup puts the Pistons back up by 13 real quick. Turkoglu keeps Magic in the game, hitting a three pointer under two minutes, but Billups banks one off the glass as Pistons lead by 10 in the final minute. Hamilton then adds a bucket as Pistons lead by 12 as we enter the fourth.

End of Third Quarter: Detroit Pistons 71, Orlando Magic 59

SECOND QUARTER
Sorry for the delay on second quarter content, folks. The connection went down right as I was attempting to save and thus wiped out my commentary. That will teach me to not wait so long to save. To sum it up, Orlando has played much better in the second quarter and has pulled within two points in the final five minutes. Magic currently down by four, 41-37. Make that two as Darko Milicic misses a layup, but Trevor Ariza puts back the miss. Pistons only 4-of-15 shooting in the second quarter after a torrid start in the opening 12 minutes.

Hill will now have an opportunity to tie the game as he hits a jumper while getting fouled by Prince. He misses the free throw, but it's still a one point game with 1:12 left in the first half. Webber tips back a Prince miss in the final minute and then ties up Arroyo at the other end. Magic get the ball back and Hill is fouled with 31.9 seconds remaining. Grant makes 1-of-2 and it's now a two-point game, 44-42. Battie is called for defensive three seconds with 16.4 left and Billups hits the free throw. Magic pull within three and it's a one-possession game as we enter halftime.

Halftime: Detroit Pistons 47, Orlando Magic 44

FIRST QUARTER
Game Two underway and Detroit starts with something Orlando didn't want to see - a three-pointer from Rasheed Wallace. But the Magic counters with buckets from Hedo Turkoglu and Tony Battie. But Wallace get a second three and it's a 6-4 Pistons lead. Turkoglu then hits one from the corner and Jameer Nelson then dishes to Grant Hill who draws the foul and will head to the line. He makes both free throws and Orlando has the 8-6 lead. Richard Hamilton hits 1-of-2 free throws and Turkoglu then nails his third straight field goal to start the game. Tayshaun Prince then hits a three and it's a 10-10 game. All-Star Dwight Howard gets his first good luck and puts it down, but Chris Webber's make at the other end keeps the game tied.

Hamilton takes a hard hit from Nelson and Jameer is hit with a flagarant foul. It appears Nelson unintentionally pulled Hamilton's mask down while trying to wrap him up and not allow the layup. Hamilton hit 1-of-2 free throws and Detroit gets the ball back. Hamilton then makes a jumper against Hill to give the Pistons a three-point lead. Prince then gets the lucky bounce as Detroit takes a 17-12 lead with 5:29 remaining in the opening quarter.

Detroit adds another bucket after the timeout, but Turkolgu ends the Pistons' 9-0 run with a basket. The Magic could draw even closer, but Hill missed a layup and Turkoglu then steps out of bounds while getting ready to throw up a three. Chauncey Billups then sinks a three and the Pistons have made all four of their first three point attempts. They now lead, 22-14. Wallace follows a Magic turnover with a turnaround jumper, but Nelson finds a opening and lunges in for a layup. Detroit is having its way with Orlando on offense, this time finding an open Antonio McDyess for a big dunk. Hill then makes a jumper to keep the Magic within eight, 26-18. Turkoglu hits another shot (5-for-5 from the field) and the Magic are within six, 26-20.

Prince's dunk makes it an eight-point Pistons lead in the final minute of the quarter, but Turkoglu continues his hot streak with another field goal.

End of First Quarter: Detroit Pistons 28, Orlando Magic 22

MAGIC INJURY REPORT
None

LAST GAME:
Game #1: Apr. 21 @ Detroit – Pistons 100, Magic 92: The backcourt of Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 22 points, as Detroit led by as many as 16 points, then held on for a 100-92 victory over Orlando in Game #1 of their best-of-seven, first round playoff series at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Billups also dished out a game-high 11 assists. All five starters scored in double figures for the Pistons. Rasheed Wallace had 16 points, while Tayshaun Prince and Chris Webber each added 12. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 17 points, while Dwight Howard tallied 13 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks in his playoff debut. The Pistons led 28-16 after the first quarter and by as many as 16 points during the second half. With 53.8 seconds remaining in the game, a two-hand dunk by Howard trimmed the deficit to 93-90. However, Prince answered on the next possession with a dunk and the Pistons held on to take a 1-0 series edge.

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Apr. 23 @ Detroit, Game #2, First Round: Orlando is 28-40 all-time vs. Detroit (19-15 at home, 9-25 on the road) during regular season action, including 0-4 this season (see recaps below)…The Magic went 1-2 last season against the Pistons...Orlando is 6-5 vs. Detroit in the playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, 1996 first round series; 2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road, 2003 first round series; 0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road, 2007 first round series)...Orlando has lost 14 of the last 17 regular season meetings with the Pistons overall...The Magic have lost seven of the last nine matchups at home, but won 19 of the last 28…Orlando has lost the last six at Detroit and 11 of the last 13 at The Palace…Grant Hill spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with Detroit…Carlos Arroyo spent parts of two seasons (2004-05, 2005-06) with the Pistons…Darko Milicic was selected second overall by Detroit in 2003 and spent the first two-plus seasons with the Pistons (2003-06)…Arroyo and Milicic were traded to Orlando on Feb. 15, 2006 in exchange for Kelvin Cato an a future first round pick…Assistant GM Dave Twardzik served as an assistant coach for the Pistons in 2000-01…Assistant Coach John Kuester served on the Pistons’ bench in 2003-04 and helped them capture the 2003-04 NBA Championship.

Apr. 11 @ Detroit – Pistons 104, Magic 99: Chauncey Billups poured in a game-high 28 points, including a decisive three-pointer with 24.6 seconds remaining, as Detroit edged Orlando, 104-99, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Richard Hamilton added 21 points for the Pistons, who clinched the Central Division and best record in the Eastern Conference. Grant Hill paced the Magic with 22 points, while Dwight Howard tallied 12 points and 16 rebounds, but was just 6-of-16 from the free throw line. Detroit led by as many as 18 points, but the Magic would not quit. They came all the way back to tie the score at 90 after a jumper by Hill with 1:35 remaining. However, they could not get over the hump, as Tayshaun Prince scored on a short hook shot, then Billups followed moments later with the huge trifecta.

Feb. 23 vs. Detroit – Pistons 94, Magic 89: Chauncey Billups poured in 28 points, while Richard Hamilton added 22, as Detroit rallied during the fourth quarter and defeated Orlando, 94-89, at sold-out Amway Arena. The Pistons outscored the Magic during the final stanza, 27-18, and held Orlando without a field goal in the quarter until the 1:21 mark. Rasheed Wallace added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dwight Howard paced the Magic with 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Hedo Turkoglu netted 20. Orlando held Detroit to just 39.4 percent shooting from the floor, but could not overcome the decisive, final 12-minute span.

Feb. 21 @ Detroit – Pistons 110, Magic 88: Chris Webber and Richard Hamilton led a balanced attack with 18 points each, as Detroit routed Orlando, 110-88, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was the Magic’s sixth consecutive road loss. Chauncey Billups netted 17 points for the Pistons, while Antonio McDyess added 14. The Pistons shot 52 percent from the floor and dished out 27 assists. Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic with game-highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds. Detroit led 31-27 after the first quarter, but dominated for the rest of the contest. They outscored the Magic during the second quarter, 31-16 and led 62-43 at halftime. Detroit led by as many as 31 points during the second half.…Dec. 8 vs. Detroit – Pistons 87, Magic 83: Chauncey Billups poured in a game-high 31 points, as Detroit edged Orlando, 87-83, at a soldout Amway Arena. Richard Hamilton scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds for the Pistons. Dwight Howard, celebrating his 21st birthday, tallied team-highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic. Orlando had its six-game home winning streak snapped. Orlando led 44-40 at halftime and 67-66 after three quarters. After the Pistons took a two-point lead, Howard converted a reverse layup with 2:23 left to tie the game at 82. Hamilton then hit back-to-back jump shots, the second with just 51.2 seconds remaining, to help Detroit escape with the win.

BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. PISTONS: 46 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 12-25-02); Shaquille O’Neal (@ Detroit, 2-16-93)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 42 pts., Grant Hill (@ Orlando, 1-3-00)