Pistons Stop Magic Winning Streak

by 1660 THE FAN Wire Services

Final Score: Detroit 88, Orlando 82

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Rodney Stuckey posted 19 points, five rebounds and four assists and the Detroit Pistons snapped Orlando's seven-game winning streak with an 88-82 triumph over the Magic.

Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace chipped in 16 points apiece in Detroit's fourth straight win. Allen Iverson added 15 points and six rebounds for the Pistons, who played just eight players and were without the services of Richard Hamilton for the second straight game due to a groin injury.

Rashard Lewis was 6-for-12 from behind the arc for a game-high 23 points, and Dwight Howard logged his usual double-double effort with 18 points and 18 boards for the Magic, who were winners in 11 of their previous 12 contests overall.

Jameer Nelson came into the game averaging 17.0 points and 5.4 assists, but the up-and-coming guard hit just 4-for-12 from the field and finished with nine points and zero assists.

Midway through the fourth, Lewis drilled a three-pointer while being fouled by Jason Maxiell. His subsequent free throw tied the game at 77 with six minutes remaining in the game.

The Magic, however, went scoreless for the next four-plus minutes. Wallace nailed a triple during the 8-0 run, and the Pistons appeared in control.

Nelson drained a three-pointer at the two-minute mark to cut the deficit to 85-80, but Iverson made a tough jumper with 70 ticks remaining and Detroit held on for the win.

Five free throws to end the first quarter yielded a 24-19 Pistons lead. Stuckey scored five points during a 7-0 Detroit run early in the second period, and the hosts led 52-43 at the break.

A Howard three-point play and a Hedo Turkoglu trey opened the third to propel the Magic -- and it was a four-point game, 70-66, in favor of Detroit with 12 minutes to play.

Game Notes

Turkoglu recorded 14 points and eight assists in the loss...Detroit committed just four turnovers, while Orlando had nine giveaways...The Pistons got to the free throw line more often, but neither team shot well from the stripe with Detroit hitting 19-of-29 and the Magic sinking 9-of-14 from the line...The Pistons have won seven of nine in the series.