NBA Game Summary - Cleveland at Detroit 05.7.2006
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Auburn Hills, MI (Basketball News) - Tayshaun Prince led six Pistons in double figures with 24 points, as Detroit blitzed Cleveland, 113-86, in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The defending Eastern Conference champs put on a dizzying offensive display that left the Cavaliers reeling. Detroit shot 51.9 percent from the field and was an amazing 13-of-15 from three-point range early in the fourth quarter. They finished the contest making 15-of-22 from long range.
Richard Hamilton added 20 points for the Pistons, who took care of business in the opening round with a 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Chauncey Billups chipped in with 14 points and 10 assists, while Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter each tallied 12 points.
Ben Wallace was a monster on the defensive end and finished with 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.
LeBron James scored a quiet 22 points for the Cavaliers, who were coming off their first playoff series win since 1993 when they knocked off the Washington Wizards in six tough contests. The dynamic James finished 9-of-18 from the field but was not a factor in the game.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao were the only other Cleveland players in double figures with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Game 2 of this best-of-seven set is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at The Palace.