Pistons punish Philadelphia, grab 3-2 series lead

BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Detroit coach Flip Saunders substituted a video of the Piston's latest loss to Philadelphia for the usual pregame motivational speech, then Chauncey Billups went out and scored 21 points, Richard Hamilton tallied 20 and Rasheed Wallace chipped in 19 as the Pistons pounded the 76ers 98-81 to take a 3-2 lead in the first-round series.

"We knew Game 6 was going to be an elimination game either way it went," Billups said. "We wanted to be on the upper hand of that."

Andre Iguodala scored a career playoff-high 21 points for Philadelphia, finally putting together a night that resembled his play in the regular season. But Iguodala didn't have much help.

None of his teammates reached double figures until Andre Miller in the third quarter, but that was after the point guard missed nine shots in a row in the first half when the game was relatively close. Miller finished with 13 points and reserve Louis Williams scored 16.

Billups, Wallace and Hamilton combined for 58 points through three quarters, outscoring the Sixers until Rodney Carney made a 3 to end the quarter, cutting their deficit to 20 points.

Billups had a series high in points (21) and assists (12). Wallace had six blocks, one short of the playoff franchise record he matched in Game 1.

Jason Maxiell had a career playoff-high 11 rebounds, starting for Antonio McDyess, who is playing with a broken nose.

Detroit's Tayshaun Prince finished with 17 points, giving the balanced team a fourth option offensively.

(Agencies)