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Controversial 3 Lifts Pistons Over Magic

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2008

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Pistons took advantage of what seemed to be a little help from the scorer's table and went on beat the Orlando Magic.

Chauncey Billups scored 28 points, three on a disputed shot at the end of the third quarter, and Detroit got past Orlando for a 100-93 win Monday night and a 2-0 lead in the second-round series.

"It's tough to be on the other end of that play," Billups said. "But I'll take it."

Billups officially made a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left in the third, ending a play that started with 5.1 seconds and seemed to take a fraction of a second longer using replays the officials didn't use during a 5-minute delay.

The shot put Detroit ahead 78-76.

Lead official Steve Javie declined to be interviewed by a pool reporter during a timeout, and ignored another reporter shouting to speak with him after the game ended.

The Magic still had a chance to win after trailing by 14 in the first half.

Orlando had the ball down by two points late in the game, but Rashard Lewis missed a running scoop shot, Dwight Howard just missed on a putback and Hedo Turkoglu couldn't grab the offensive rebound.Game 3 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Orlando.

ORLANDO (93) - Turkoglu 5-11 0-0 12, Lewis 6-21 6-6 20, Howard 8-11 6-8 22, Nelson 7-16 3-3 22, Evans 5-7 1-2 13, Bogans 0-2 0-2 0, Foyle 0-2 0-0 0, Arroyo 1-2 2-2 4, Dooling 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-73 18-23 93.

DETROIT (100) - Prince 8-13 0-0 17, Maxiell 5-5 1-2 11, Wallace 7-10 3-5 17, Billups 8-19 10-10 28, Hamilton 4-18 5-6 14, McDyess 2-2 2-2 6, Stuckey 1-5 3-3 5, Afflalo 1-3 0-0 2, Ratliff 0-1 0-0 0, Herrmann 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 36-76 24-28 100.

Orlando	29	11	36	17	-	93
Detroit	29	21	28	22	-	100

3-Point Goals-Orlando 11-26 (Nelson 5-8, Turkoglu 2-4, Evans 2-4, Lewis 2-8, Bogans 0-1, Dooling 0-1), Detroit 4-12 (Billups 2-5, Hamilton 1-2, Prince 1-3, Wallace 0-2). Fouled Out-Nelson, McDyess. Rebounds-Orlando 49 (Howard 18), Detroit 41 (Prince 10). Assists-Orlando 16 (Turkoglu 7), Detroit 23 (Prince 5). Total Fouls-Orlando 23, Detroit 22. Technicals-Howard. A-22,076 (22,076).

LAKERS: The NBA has scheduled a news conference today at a Los Angeles hotel, where Kobe Bryant is expected to be announced as winner of his first Most Valuable Player award.

SUNS: Phoenix granted permission for Coach Mike D'Antoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks apparently the leading suitors.

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