Pistons eliminate Bucks with 91-77 win
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-30 13:47

The highest scoring playoff game of Tayshaun Prince's career moved the Detroit Pistons into a rematch with the team that swept them out of the playoffs a year ago. Prince scored 24 points, and Detroit used a strong third quarter to take control in a 91-77 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night to win their first-round series 4-1.

Milwaukee Bucks' Michael Redd lowers his head in the closing moments of their 91-77 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their NBA quarterfinal series in Auburn Hills, Mich., Thursday, April 29, 2004. Detroit won the series 4-1. [AP]

The Pistons now move on to face the New Jersey Nets, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, on Monday in Game 1 of the conference semifinals. The Nets swept Detroit in the conference finals last season.

Detroit took control with a 30-point third quarter after scoring just 39 points in the first half and leading by seven.

Chauncey Billups scored 19, Richard Hamilton had 18, Rasheed Wallace had 10 points and 11 rebounds and Ben Wallace added nine points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

Milwaukee's Michael Redd scored 22 and Joe Smith had 16. Desmond Mason scored 14 and Keith Van Horn added 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season.

After a sluggish start, Detroit earned its first cushion with a 9-0 run for a 37-28 lead late in the second quarter. An 8-0 run in the third quarter gave Detroit a 49-36 lead, and the Pistons went ahead by 17 before taking a 69-54 lead into the final quarter.

Milwaukee did little more than trade baskets in the fourth quarter and never mounted a comeback.

Last year in the first round, Detroit became just the seventh of 150 NBA teams to win a series after trailing 3-1 when it rallied against Orlando.

The Pistons didn't give Milwaukee a chance to pull off the same feat, but they didn't seem to be motivated to play until late in the first half.

It took Detroit six minutes to take the lead, and the Pistons were ahead 24-22 after the first quarter. Following a late spurt, the Pistons led 39-32 at halftime as both teams made less than 39 percent of their shots.

Notes:@ Detroit's Corliss Williamson, who has been slowed by a sore knee and elbow, did not play . ... In three playoff series, Detroit is 9-2 against the Bucks. ... Faces in the crowd included Detroit Tigers Ivan Rodriguez and Rondell White.

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Wen's top challenge is development deckhead         US general questioned for prisoner abuses         Beijing confirms 2 SARS patients         Consumers angry over bank card tricks         Holiday to see 90m travellers         Korean nuclear issue centre of discussions	Maradona leaves hospital after 12-day stay       Rockets Vs Lakers: A strangely normal finish       Graf enjoying retirement, won't return       Pistons eliminate Bucks with 91-77 win       Chess queen to play computer "Star of Unisplendour"       Baggio says 'arrivederci' after national team farewell