Orlando, FL (My Sportsbook) - The
Orlando Magic try to move on to the next round when they welcome the
Detroit Pistons to TD Waterhouse Centre tonight.
If Orlando is going to move on, its going to have to bounce back from a crushing defeat. Richard Hamilton led six Pistons in double figures with 24 points, and Ben Wallace finished with 14 points, 21 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, as Detroit thrashed the Magic 98-67. The Detroit bench outscored the Magic's reserves 36-20. Tayshaun Prince had a career-best 15 points while Mehmet Okur scored 11 points, and Jon Barry added 10.
The Pistons held Orlando to 32-percent shooting from the field and forced 20 turnovers that led to 25 points.
"I liked the energy I was feeling," Wallace said. "I said some things the last couple days and called some of my teammates out, and they responded."
Detroit coach Rick Carlisle chose to not play Corliss Williamson after he averaged 18.8 minutes and 9.3 points over the first four games.
Orlando's Tracy McGrady was one of just three Magic players to reach double figures, as he scored 19 points in the losing effort. He failed to score at least 20 points for the just the second time in 56 games dating back to the regular season.
"There's no reason to get discouraged," McGrady said after the lopsided setback. "They're still playing catch-up."
Detroit is trying to become just the seventh team -- and the first since Miami in 1997 -- to win a series after trailing 3-1.
Miami in 1999 and Seattle in 1994 are the only top-seeded teams to lose in the first round of the playoffs since the NBA went to a 16-team format. Both of those series were five-game sets.
"I don't think history has any bearing on what's going to happen Friday night," Orlando coach Doc Rivers said.
Game 7, if necessary, will be Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.