AP News, November 3rd, 2007
Chauncey Billups had 18 points and seven assists Friday night to lead the Detroit Pistons to a second straight victory without Richard Hamilton, 116-92 over the Orlando Magic.
The Magic were looking to avenge eight losses against Detroit last season, the last four of which swept Orlando from its first playoff appearance in four years.
Early on, the Magic looked like they could pull it off. They continued a hot shooting streak from Wednesday, getting three 3-pointers in the first six minutes for a 21-15 advantage.
But the Pistons took a commanding lead in the second quarter when Orlando went cold and never let go.
Hamilton also missed Thursday's victory over the Miami Heat for personal reasons, but again others picked up offensively. Flip Murray scored 19 points, Tayshaun Prince, who had a career-high 34 Thursday, had 17, and Rasheed Wallace had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Jarvis Hayes scored eight of his 11 points in the second half, all at key junctures to stunt Magic momentum.
Rashard Lewis scored 21 points for Orlando, Dwight Howard had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu added 17 points. Keith Bogans had 14 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range.
The Magic went two minutes without a bucket in the second period while the Pistons got seven quick points on a jumper by Arron Afflalo and a layup and three-point play from Jason Maxiell. The Pistons shot 12-of-17 in the quarter, and the lead swelled to 64-55 at halftime on Afflalo's free throws and a jumper by Billups.
The Magic mounted an 8-0 run in the third quarter, but were still down 76-63 when Wallace hit two free throws to interrupt two scoreless minutes for Detroit. Orlando drew to 80-70, but Howard, Trevor Ariza and Turkoglu missed five straight free throws after the Magic had shot 13-of-14 from the line.
Notes:@ Detroit outrebounded Orlando 42-34 and outshot the Magic 59 percent to 40 percent. ... Pistons coach Flip Saunders was called for a technical with 1:13 left in the third quarter. ... Lewis was fouled twice shooting 3-pointers. He made all six free throws.
