MAGIC: Playoffs 2007: Magic vs. Pistons

Game 4 - Detroit Pistons 97, Orlando Magic 93

Pistons Win Series 4-0 - April 28, 2007 - Amway Arena

	1	2	3	4	F
PISTONS	22	25	26	24	97
MAGIC	25	21	21	26	93

GAME INFO

Tipoff: 3:00 PM ET
TV: TNT/WRBW MY65 | Radio: WDBO AM 580 | Spanish Radio: AM 1030 WONQ
Theme Night: Code Blue
Giveaways: Blue Flags presented by Mirabilis (first 17,000 fans), Glow Sticks presented by MetroPCS (first 5,000 fans)

By Matthew Gardner | OrlandoMagic.com

The Orlando Magic fought to the very final seconds of Game Four, but in the end it was the Detroit Pistons advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 97-93 victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Magic was in a must win situation after dropping the first three games in the best-of-seven series and played with the mentality of a team doing anything to keep the season alive. Instead of falling behind by double digits and having to use every once of energy to get back into the game, the Magic only trailed by nine in this game - and for only a short period of time.

The Magic was within one point before Chauncey Billups' basket with 1:15 left gave the Pistons a three-point lead. The Pistons went up by as many as five before rookie J.J. Redick gave Orlando a little hope with a three-pointer with only 10.6 seconds left. But the Pistons made free throws when it counted and advanced to the next round where they'll await the winner of the Chicago-Miami series. Right now, the Bulls lead that series, 3-0.

Magic All-Star Dwight Howard had his best game of the series, scoring 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while also grabbing 17 rebounds. Meanwhile, Grant Hill scored 17 points, Darko Milicic had 14 off the bench and Jameer Nelson and Keyon Dooling each scored 11.

Billups led the Pistons with 25 points and backcourt mate Richard Hamilton had 19. Similar to the three previous games of the series, all five Pistons starters finished in double figures as Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace each added 13 points and Chris Webber scored 11 points.

FOURTH QUARTER
Just 12 minutes remain for the Magic to comeback from a six-point deficit and extend their season at least one more game. Howard adds a pair of free throws, but a pair of baskets allow Detroit to stay ahead by eight with 8:53 remaining.

Howard hits a layup as the clock ticks under the 8:00 mark to move the Magic within seven, and Milicic then hits a floater over Wallace and draws the foul. Wallace goes to the bench after picking up foul number five. Darko makes the free throw and Orlando is within four points, 78-74. Milicic then adds a jumper just inside the three-point line and Detroit calls timeout. Orlando has moved within two points, 78-76, with 6:44 remaining.

Howard is having a big night for Orlando. The Magic All-Star is doing everything he can to keep this season going. Right now, he's got a game-high 26 points to go along with 12 rebounds. He's hit 9-of-13 shots, but only 8-of-16 free throws.

Turkoglu and Milicic each miss shots, but Howard gets the rebound and puts it back to tie the game. He hits the free throw and the Magic has a one-point lead, 79-78, with 5:58 remaining. The Magic then get the ball inside to Milicic, who gets around the Detroit coverage for a dunk. Wallace is fouled by Milicic and heads to the line. He makes both, but Orlando still leads by one, 81-80. Milicic then comes up big against, making a move on Wallace and hitting a shot to keep Orlando ahead by three as the clock ticks under the 4:00 mark. A Detroit turnover then gives Orlando the ball and Hill gets open under the hoop for a very big dunk. Timeout is called and the Magic has an 85-80 lead with 3:18 left to play in this game.

After the timeout, Wallace hits a big three and Detroit claws back within two points, 85-83. Billups is called for a foul on Milicic, sending the Magic big man to the line. He misses the first, but hits the second. Orlando is 19-of-31 from the line today. Webber then hits a hook in the lane and it's now a one-point Magic lead. Howard then turns over the ball as the clock moves under the 2:00 mark. Hamilton then gets a shot over Nelson as Detroit takes a one-point lead, 87-86, with 1:39 remaining.

Billups gets a floater to fall over Howard to take a three-point lead at the 1:15 mark. That followed a costly Orlando turnover. Turkoglu finds an opening in the lane and puts it down, but Hamilton hits a jumper over Nelson. Milicic then misses a jumper over Wallace and Hamilton is fouled with 20.4 seconds left. Hamilton hits both free throws and its a 93-88 Detroit lead.

Redick hits a three-pointer with 10.6 seconds left, making it a two-point game. The rookie hitting by far his biggest shot of the season. Billups is then fouled with 8.1 seconds left. He hits the first free throw to make it a three-point lead. He then hits the second as well. Nelson hits a layup with 3.5 seconds left and then fouls Hamilton with 2.3 remaining on the clock. Hamilton hits both free throws and that's the game.

Final: Detroit Pistons 97, Orlando Magic 93

THIRD QUARTER
Howard is fouled by Wallace to begin the third quarter, but misses both free throws. However, Jameer Nelson, who only had four first quarter points, buries a three to give Orlando a two-point lead. Webber then hits a jumper to tie the game at 49. Howard then gets inside for a layup and the Magic is having no trouble getting some good lucks in these opening minutes of the second half. A Detroit turnover then leads to a Nelson jumper and a four-point Orlando advantage. Detroit moves back within two, but Turkoglu takes a few steps toward the basket and dishes off to Howard for a big dunk.

After Webber hits 1-of-2 free throws, Hill hits a jumper to keep Orlando ahead by five. Wallace then hits for two as Detroit stays within one possession at the 7:24 mark. Hill gets an open look at a jumper, but the shot doesn't fall. Billups is then fouled by Turkoglu and heads to the charity stripe. He hits both and Orlando's lead falls to just one, 57-56.

Pistons retake the lead with a pair of Billups free throws. Billups is then fouled again, this time by Nelson, and heads to the line again. Billups makes both again and Detroit now holds the three-point lead with under 5:00 remaining. Dooling then makes a layup and also picks up a foul on Antonio McDyess. He makes the free throw and ties the game at the 4:48 mark. Dooling has been big in this game and now has 10 points. However, Billups hits his third three-pointer of the game and then Detroit's fastbreak leads to a dunk by Prince. Dooling fouled Prince on the play and he hits the free throw. Just like that, Detroit has a six-point lead. Howard moves Orlando closer with a hook shot, but Prince tips back a Hamilton miss to keep it a six-point Pistons advantage.

Howard hits 1-of-2 free throws and Hill adds a layup as Orlando moves back within three points in the final 2:00. Howard is then fouled while making a shot within the lane and heads to the line with a chance to tie the game with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter. The free throw doesn't fall, so it's still a one-point Pistons lead. Prince then sinks a three-pointer and Dooling misses a long two at the other end. Turkoglu is called for a foul on Prince while going for the rebound. Prince hits both free throws and once again, Detroit has turned the game back to their advantage - this time with a six-point lead. Ariza misses a floater and the Pistons will hold for the final possession of the quarter - a jumper that doesn't fall.

End of Third Quarter: Detroit Pistons 73, Orlando Magic 67

SECOND QUARTER< br> Quarter No. 2 is underway and J.J. Redick is seeing his first postseason action. He didn't play in the first three games, but Coach Brian Hill indicated early on that he would be playing in Game Four. And the rookie makes the most of his minutes right away, taking a few dribbles in and finding Darko Milicic open under the basket for a dunk. Magic lead by five, 29-24. Dooling adds a basket and Detroit calls timeout with Orlando leading by seven, 31-24.

Trevor Ariza with a nice spin move and lay in, after swinging past a pick set by Redick. That's followed by Dooling making a strong move to the basket and finishing with a dunk. Turkoglu then makes it a 10-point Magic lead with a layup. Delfino hits a fadeaway jumper over Turkoglu to pull Detroit within eight, 37-29, and then draws a foul on Turkoglu on the next possession. Magic lead is eight with 5:52 remaining until halftime.

Pistons making a run here and Chris Webber's reverse layup makes it a four-point game, 37-33. Delfino then hits an open jumper and the No. 1 seed has pulled within two with 4:48 on the clock. A big turn of events in the last minute.

Delfino having a big game off the bench for Detroit and gives them a one-point lead with his layup. Milicic is then fouled and hits both free throws as Orlando regains the lead. The Detroit bench hasn't scored a lot of points in this series, but getting a boost from players like Delfino when shots aren't falling certainly isn't a good sign for Orlando. Billups finds Webber inside and the veteran forward dunks it down to give the Pistons a 40-39 lead. Billups then lands a three-pointer and it's a four-point Pistons advantage as the clock ticks under 2:00. Howard dunks down two points to return the game to a one-possession affair and Hill then drives basline for a layup to tie the game. However, Wallace makes a very strong move against Milicic for a dunk. Magic to hold for final possession of first half. Hill takes the ball up top and is fouled by Flip Murray. Hill goes to the line and his first free throw ties the game. The second one also falls and Orlando takes a one-point lead. However, Hamilton gets the ball at halfcourt and drives in for a layup at the buzzer. That's the second game is a row the Pistons have hit a shot at the halftime buzzer.

Halftime: Detroit Pistons 47, Orlando Magic 46

FIRST QUARTER
Game Four is underway and the Pistons take the opening tip. Chauncey Billups puts his first shot through the net and Detroit leads, 2-0. Grant Hill takes a Dwight Howard pass and knocks down a jumper to tie the game. This game could have some pretty big implications for Hill. If Detroit wins and the Magic get swept out of the playoffs, it could end up being the veteran's final game. Hill has hinted that he's possibly thinking about retirement. Although, the fact that he's playing in a postseason series for the first time in his stint with Orlando could make him decide to comeback. Though he was bothered for a period by a sore knee, this has been a relatively healthy season for Hill.

First timeout on the floor and the Pistons off to a better start with an 11-4 lead, and looking very determined to close this out in four games. Orlando has a field goal from Jameer Nelson, along with a pair of free throws each from Hill and Howard and it's now an 11-6 lead. Howard gets inside for a layup and Orlando trails by only three, 13-10. Hill then adds another bucket and Detroit turns over the ball, leading to a Nelson layup and the Magic has a one-point lead, 14-13.

Hedo Turkoglu and Howard each lay down a dunk and Orlando has a three-point lead under the 3:00 mark. Billups adds a jumper around the 2:00 mark and ties the game at 19. What Orlando needs in this game is to keep each quarter close. The dilemma we've seen throughout the first three games is the inability to stay consistent. When the inconsistenciese come, so does the scoring differential between Detroit and Orlando. Howard completes a three-point play, but Billups hits a three-pointer to keep the game tied. Magic call 20 second timeout with 31.7 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Howard is fouled by Dale Davis and sent to the line. He misses the first, but hits the second and it's a one-point Orlando lead. Howard then steals the ball from Billups and Dooling runs it down for a dunk as the quarter ends.

End of First Quarter: Orlando Magic 25, Detroit Pistons 22

PREGAME
The Magic now face a must-win situation in Game Four. A loss and it will soon be walks on the beach and umbrella drinks for the team. A win and the squad lives to see another day, along with a visit to Detroit on Tuesday for Game Five.

MAGIC INJURY REPORT
None

LAST GAME:
Game #3: Apr. 26 vs. Detroit � Pistons 93, Magic 77: Tayshaun Prince led the five Pistons starters in double figures with 23 points, as Detroit defeated Orlando, 93-77, in Game #3 of their best-of-seven, first round playoff series at a sold-out Amway Arena. Chauncey Billups poured in 21 points, while Rasheed Wallace and Chris Webber each added 15. Jameer Nelson led all scorers with 27 points. The Magic jumped out of the gates quickly, starting the game with an 8-0 run. The Pistons chipped away and got a huge break at the end of the half. After a Prince jumper gave the Pistons a three-point lead with 2.3 seconds left in the second quarter, Billups stole the inbounds pass and made a turnaround three-pointer, suddenly extending the Detroit advantage to six points, 48-42. Orlando never recovered and Detroit now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.

RECENT GAMES:
Game #2: Apr. 23 @ Detroit � Pistons 98, Magic 90: All five starters scored in double figures for Detroit, led by Richard Hamilton�s 22 points, as the Pistons defeated Orlando, 98-90, in Game #2 of their best-of-seven, first round playoff series at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Chauncey Billups recorded 21 points and eight assists, while Tayshaun Prince netted 18 points. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 22 points, and Grant Hill tallied 21 points and eight rebounds. For the second straight game, the Pistons came out strong from the opening tap and led for most of the contest. Leading 47-44 at halftime, Detroit opened the second half with a 7-2 spurt and led by as many as 15 points during the fourth quarter. The back breaker came with 2:54 left in the contest, as Rasheed Wallace banked in a deep three-pointer as the shot clock expired to push the Pistons� lead back to double digits.

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. 28 vs. Detroit, Game #4 - 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 6-7 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; 0-1 at home, 0-2 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)