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Hamilton, Pistons look to continue winning ways vs. Magic

Apr 21, 2007 - 2:22 PM Orlando at Detroit 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference First Round Game One

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Richard Hamilton and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons look to continue their success against the Orlando Magic when the teams meet in the opener of their Eastern Conference series.

Detroit (53-29) finished with the best record in the East and won all four meetings this season.

The Pistons have won three straight series openers in the opening round of the playoffs and look to do the same to the Magic, who failed to reach 90 points in three of their four losses to Detroit.

Hamilton was steady as usual, tallying 18.8 points vs. the Magic, just a point below his season average. He will match up against former Piston Grant Hill, who will be forced to chase Hamilton off picks and screens.

Point guard Chauncey Billups was especially effective against Orlando, averaging 26.0 points in the four games. The two-time All-Star holds a distinct height and weight advantage over Magic point guard Jameer Nelson.

Orlando does have the advantage in the post with third-year player Dwight Howard controlling the backboards with an average of 12.3 rebounds per game. The first-time All-Star gave Detroit headaches in the paint, averaging 20.8 points and 13.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 54 percent.

It will be up to veteran frontcourt men like Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess to contain Howard.

Orlando won four straight and six of its last seven to earn the eighth playoff seed.

Game Two is here on Monday night.