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 The Eastern Conference's second-seeded team was expected to beat the seventh-seeded Sixers by double digits and did lead by 15 midway through the third quarter.
But Philadelphia refused to follow the script.
After the Sixers trailed 62-47, Green made two baskets to start a 10-0 run that sparked a comeback.
Miller gave Philadelphia a lead midway through the fourth quarter for the first time since late in the first.
After Chauncey Billups missed three of four free throws and a layup in 2-plus minutes late in the game, he made two from the line to pull the Pistons within one with 45 seconds left.
Detroit's Jason Maxiell drew a charge on the ensuing possession, giving the home team a chance to avoid an upset.
The Pistons set up a play that created an open shot for Tayshaun Prince, but his jumper was short. After Andre Iguodala made one of two free throws with 11 seconds left, Rasheed Wallace missed a shot near the basket that would have tied it at 88.
Iguodala then made two free throws with 7 seconds left to seal the win.
Wallace had 24 points, nine rebounds and matched a franchise playoff record with seven blocks.
Both teams will get two days off before Detroit hosts Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Iguodala finished with 16 points after a slow start, reserve Reggie Evans had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Thaddeus Young scored 10 for the Sixers.
Billups scored 14, Richard Hamilton had 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting, Maxiell contributed 12 points and a career playoff-high 11 rebounds and Prince added 12.
The Sixers started and closed strong despite being the least-experienced team in the playoffs, matching up with a team that trails only the San Antonio Spurs in combined playoff games.
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Philadelphia led by six points early in the game, but Detroit scored the last 11 points of the first quarter and held the Sixers scoreless for 5-plus minutes. That drought spilled into the second and included a cold stretch in which they made just 2-of-21 shots.
Wallace's 3-pointer midway through the second quarter capped a 23-6 run and gave the Pistons an 11-point lead.
The Sixers scored the first eight points of the second half and Detroit missed its first six shots before going on an 11-2 run to lead by 15.
The Pistons might've relaxed, joking with former teammate Flip Murray in the stands during timeouts, and Philadelphia made them pay for it.
Notes: Bob Lainer and Ben Wallace also blocked seven shots in the playoffs for the Pistons. ... The Pistons started the playoffs with 678 games of experience to Philadelphia's 95. ... Wallace was called for a technical in the first half, complaining about a call against teammate Prince. He had 12 technicals during the regular season, his fewest since he played for Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheers during the 2002-03 season in Portland. ... Theo Ratliff, a former Sixer, made his first playoff appearance for the Pistons since 1997 and had two blocks in his first 2 minutes.
[Associated Press; By LARRY LAGE]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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