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Pistons can finish home-and-home sweep of Magic

Feb 23, 2007 - 2:43 PM Detroit (34-19) at Orlando (27-28) 7:00 pm EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- In their first two games following the All-Star break, the Detroit Pistons have posted victories over a pair of struggling clubs.

Detroit looks to win for the 10th time in 11 games and widen its lead in the Central Division race Friday when it wraps up a home-and-home series against the fading Orlando Magic.

The Pistons were forced to hold off a late surge by the Milwaukee Bucks before escaping with an 84-83 victory on Tuesday. They followed with a balanced scoring attack in Wednesday's 110-88 triumph over the Magic.

Chris Webber and All-Star Richard Hamilton scored 18 points apiece and All-Star Chauncey Billups added 17 for Detroit, which shot 52 percent (39-of-75) from the floor to take a three-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the division.

Orlando has dropped 14 of its last 19 contests since January 12 and trails the Washington Wizards by 5 1/2 games for the top spot in the Southeast Division. The Magic, however, have won four of their last five home contests and are 18-10 here this season.

The league's third-leading rebounder (11.0), Dwight Howard scored 26 points and grabbed 15 boards and Jameer Nelson added 14 points for Orlando on Wednesday.

The Pistons have captured 12 of the past 15 matchups against the Magic, including six of eight on the road.