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 "It's tough to be on the other end of that play," Billups said. "But I'll take it."
Billups officially made a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left in the third, ending a play that started with 5.1 seconds and seemed to take a fraction of a second longer using replays the officials didn't use during a 5-minute delay.
The shot put Detroit ahead 78-76.
Lead official Steve Javie declined to be interviewed by a pool reporter during a timeout, and ignored another reporter shouting to speak with him after the game ended.
"They had to estimate how much time (was left) and they estimated 4.6 seconds," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "That's almost funny.
"What can you do? They were put in a very tough situation on that call."
Even though TNT -- a broadcast partner of the NBA -- had the ability to show a real-time replay with a clock superimposed on the screen, the league's replay rules don't allow for reviewing a play to determine when the clock started.
"Steve Javie told me that with the technology they have, they should be able to go over and look at that," Van Gundy said. "They did not have that available. He was frustrated by that
-- probably not quite as much as us."
The Magic still had a chance to win after trailing by 14 in the first half.
Orlando had the ball down by two points late in the game, but Rashard Lewis missed a running scoop shot, Dwight Howard just missed on a putback and Hedo Turkoglu couldn't grab the offensive rebound.
Magic reserve Keyon Dooling fouled Richard Hamilton before the ensuing pass was made from the sideline, giving Detroit a free throw
-- made by Hamilton -- and the ball.
Billups then made two free throws to put Detroit ahead by five points with 10.9 seconds left to seal the win.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Orlando.
The Magic likely head home bitter about a call that went against them and some strong performances that went all for naught.
Howard bounced back from a lackluster game with 22 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks.
Jameer Nelson scored 22 points, making five 3-pointers, before fouling out with 1:23 left in the game, hacking Hamilton and putting him on the line down by two points.
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Lewis overcame a slow start to score 20 points. Maurice Evans had 13 points and Turkoglu added 12, putting each of the Magic's starters in double figures.
Detroit had a balanced attack, too.
Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince scored 17 points apiece, and Prince added 10 rebounds and five assists. Jason Maxiell was a threat as a shooter for the second straight game, adding 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting.
The Magic got back to their game of driving and kicking for 3-pointers, making seven of their 11 3s during a 36-point third quarter that got them into the game.
But Turkoglu, Lewis and Howard combined for 17 of Orlando's 19 turnovers, ending many promising possessions with wild passes and bad hands.
The score was tied at 29 after the first quarter, then Detroit outscored Orlando by 10 in the second period to earn a cushion at halftime.
Orlando quickly got back into the game in the third quarter, only to be demoralized by the timer's slow trigger finger and the questionable decision by the officiating crew.
Notes: Detroit's post players got into foul trouble guarding Howard, leading to Antonio McDyess fouling out with 3:50 left in the game. McDyess had six points and eight rebounds. ... The Pistons have won nine straight playoff games against Orlando, including last year's sweep in the first round and a rally from a 3-1 deficit in the opening round of the 2003 playoffs.
[Associated Press; By LARRY LAGE]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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