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NBA Scores: Pistons Beat Magic, Sweep Series
Chauncey Billups scored 25 points and handed out 6 assists while Richard Hamilton finished with 19 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 97-93 to sweep their opening round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-0.
Detroit used a 13-3 run late in the fourth quarter to overcome a five point deficit and take a 93-88 lead with 20 seconds remaining in the game. J.J. Redick was able to pull the Magic to within two with a three-pointer with 10 seconds on the clock but both Billups and Hamilton hit a pair of free-throws in the final eight seconds to secure the sweep.
All five starters for the Pistons scored in double figures and as a team they shot 46 percent from the floor while hitting 81 percent from the line. In contrast the Magic were just 19-31 from the free-throw line for a 61 percent clip.
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 29 points and 17 rebounds in the loss.
Detroit will now take on the winner of the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat series. The Bulls are up 3-0 on the Heat and will go for the sweep on Sunday.
