Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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Magic Finally Beat Pistons, 102-100

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[January 22, 2008]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Rashard Lewis hit a 12-foot jumper as time expired, lifting the Orlando Magic to a 102-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

Hedo Turkoglu had 26 points and eight assists and Dwight Howard added 23 points and eight rebounds for the Magic, who had lost nine straight to Detroit, including four games that knocked them out of last year's playoffs.

Chauncey Billups nearly forced overtime with a 32-foot 3-pointer that made it 100-all, but Orlando had 3.6 seconds left.

Lewis, who scored 16, took the inbound pass from Turkoglu, dribbled and threw up the shot with time expiring. A replay confirmed the bucket, and Orlando's emotional win.

Six Pistons scored in double figures, led by Richard Hamilton with 21 and Tayshaun Prince with 20. Billups scored 18, while Rasheed Wallace had 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Wallace nearly tied the game at 100 with 36 seconds left, but his 27-foot 3-pointer rimmed in and then out.

Detroit was 18-0 when scoring at least 100 points this season, and lost its third straight for the first time this year.

The Pistons tried to muscle Orlando -- particularly Howard. Detroit committed 28 fouls to Orlando's 21, but Turkoglu and company made just enough from the free throw line to seal the win. The forward hit 10-of-12, including 5-of-6 in the fourth quarter, and Howard hit 9-of-15. The Pistons fouled him on nearly every possession in the second half after the All-Star hit 6-of-8 for 15 points in the first two quarters.

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The Magic lacked early energy, but finished the second quarter on an 11-4 run to take a 55-49 halftime lead. Turkoglu and Howard keyed the momentum with a 3-pointer and two baskets by Howard. He hit a 9-foot hook, then Turkoglu found him with a sharp inside feed for a dunk.

Detroit committed an uncharacteristic 10 first-half turnovers, just one less than their NBA-best average of 11. But the Pistons had only one in the second half, compared with Orlando's 14 on the game.

The teams combined for three turnovers in one 8-second stretch alone. After Hamilton's basket, Turkoglu lost the ball to Wallace. However, Arroyo stole Wallace's pass, and Wallace then stole Arroyo's, and the Magic guard tumbled into the first row chasing it off a tip.

Jason Maxiell had 11 points and seven rebounds or Detroit, including two impressive dunks and a steal early in the fourth quarter.

Notes: Magic G Jameer Nelson missed his second straight game (strained tendon, right foot). ... The teams play again Friday at Detroit, after the Pistons conclude their three-game road trip Wednesday at Philadelphia and Orlando travels to Memphis. ... Orlando C Tony Battie, out this season after undergoing shoulder surgery, spoke in brief homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before the game.

[Associated Press; By TRAVIS REED]

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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