Pistons pound Bulls in Game 1

05.5.2007

Auburn Hills, MI (Basketball News) - Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 20 points, and Detroit shut down Ben Gordon, in a 95-69 rout of the Chicago Bulls in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Pistons nearly had all five starters in double figures again, after doing so in each of their contests in a first-round sweep of Orlando. Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince each added 13, while center Chris Webber, the fifth starter, ended with five.

Gordon, who came into the game averaging 25.5 points in the playoffs, was limited to seven on 2-of-9 shooting from the field. The Bulls, coming off a sweep of the defending NBA champion Miami Heat, made 32.9 percent of their shots.

Luol Deng had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Kirk Hinrich scored 15 for the Bulls.

Chicago, on a mission for its first title since 1998, the last of three straight, was also hurt by a horrendous performance from its bench. Five reserves combined to shoot 3-of-30.

Ben Wallace, who helped the Pistons to the championship in 2004, had nine points and eight rebounds for the Bulls.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Monday at The Palace.

CHI DET

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