Pistons-Sixers: Paint-Scoring Too Much for Favored Pistons

It was supposed to be in the bag.

Philadelphia had a strong close to the regular season, but Detroit had the second-best record in the NBA and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

With home-court advantage, there was little doubt that the Pistons would take Game 1 in their first-round series. The first half left no doubt whatsoever.

The Pistons outscored the Sixers in both periods to build a 51-38 halftime lead. The only doubt now was the final margin of victory for the Pistons.

Maurice Cheeks probably won’t get the Coach of the Year Award, but whatever he said to his team at halftime and whatever schemes he drew up to contain the Pistons, certainly worked.

Philadelphia came out in the third quarter and held the Pistons to just 19 points while scoring 26 and shaving the Detroit lead to 70-63.

Through strong defense, especially in the paint, Philadelphia tied the Pistons at 76 with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Both teams missed a couple foul shots and committed turnovers as though neither really wanted to win the game.

Then Reggie Evans, who only averages five points a game and is a 46 percent free-throw shooter, made two free throws to put the Sixers out in front. Then on their next possession, Evans hit a jumper, and the Pistons knew they were in serious trouble.

After exchanging baskets, the Sixers wound up with an 87-84 lead with 51.7 seconds left.

Chauncey Billups was fouled on a jump shot just inside the arc and made both free throws to narrow the lead to 87-86 with 45.1 seconds left.

Then Evans, on a pick-and-roll, committed a charge and the Pistons got the ball back with 25.1 seconds to go. However, Tayshaun Prince missed a jumper, and the Pistons had to give a foul. Iguodala hit one of two.

With a win still in reach, 88-86, the Pistons hurried down the court and got the ball into Rasheed Wallace. But Wallace missed a layup. Iguodala got the rebound and the Pistons had to foul him again.

This time Iguodala sank both free throws to give the Sixers a four-point 90-86 advantage with seven seconds on the board.

Billups missed a jumper from the arc, and a happy Maurice Cheeks danced off the court and led his team into the locker room.

The Sixers had stolen Game 1.

Andre Miller was high scorer for the Sixers with 20 points. Willie Green had 17 and Iguodala 16. Evans, who came up huge for the Sixers in the final period, finished with 11 points and game-high 14 rebounds.

Wallace led the Pistons with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Billups had 14 points and Richard Hamilton 13. Jason Maxiell had 12 points off the bench.

The Pistons look to get back in the series on Wednesday for Game 2.