26/05/2006
News
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USA - Pistons hold on to pull level
Play-offs results
AUBURN HILLS (NBA) - Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince starred as the Detroit Pistons cruised to 92-88 victory over the Miami Heat to level the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1.
Richard Hamilton scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half for the top-seeded Pistons, who bounced back from a loss in Game One and dealt the second-seeded Heat their first road setback since April 30. After winning six of their first seven play-off games, Monday's loss to Miami was their fourth in six games, a stretch during which they averaged just 80.3 points and displayed an uncharacteristic lack of determination and focus.
Wallace has earned four Defensive Player of the Year Awards and five All-Star berths with his boundless energy, primarily on the defence but he added some unexpected offence as well, scoring seven points as Detroit bolted to an 18-6 lead and never looked back.
In all, Wallace had nine points, 12 rebounds and a block and he even made a free throw, something he has done just 11 times in 46 tries in the post-season.
The quick start helped Detroit open a 25-12 lead after one period but Miami whittled the deficit to 41-37 late in the second quarter before Wallace dunked and Hamilton made a lay-up and three-pointer to close the half and rebuild the lead to 48-37.
Dwyane Wade scored 32 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 21 and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who shot 42.5% (31 of 73). Wade committed nine of Miami's 19 turnovers.
"You can't dig yourself into a hole against a Detroit team because that team will not beat themselves," said Wade, who is in Team USA's preliminary squad for the FIBA World Championship. "You have to beat them."
By PA Sport
AUBURN HILLS (NBA) - Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince starred as the Detroit Pistons cruised to 92-88 victory over the Miami Heat to level the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1.
Richard Hamilton scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half for the top-seeded Pistons, who bounced back from a loss in Game One and dealt the second-seeded Heat their first road setback since April 30. After winning six of their first seven play-off games, Monday's loss to Miami was their fourth in six games, a stretch during which they averaged just 80.3 points and displayed an uncharacteristic lack of determination and focus.
Wallace has earned four Defensive Player of the Year Awards and five All-Star berths with his boundless energy, primarily on the defence but he added some unexpected offence as well, scoring seven points as Detroit bolted to an 18-6 lead and never looked back.
In all, Wallace had nine points, 12 rebounds and a block and he even made a free throw, something he has done just 11 times in 46 tries in the post-season.
The quick start helped Detroit open a 25-12 lead after one period but Miami whittled the deficit to 41-37 late in the second quarter before Wallace dunked and Hamilton made a lay-up and three-pointer to close the half and rebuild the lead to 48-37.
Dwyane Wade scored 32 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 21 and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who shot 42.5% (31 of 73). Wade committed nine of Miami's 19 turnovers.
"You can't dig yourself into a hole against a Detroit team because that team will not beat themselves," said Wade, who is in Team USA's preliminary squad for the FIBA World Championship. "You have to beat them."
By PA Sport
