NBA Game Summary - Detroit at Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA (Basketball News) - Rasheed Wallace was a thorn in Philadelphia’s side, scoring eight of his 17 points in overtime to lead the Detroit Pistons past the 76ers, 97-92, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Wachovia Center.

Chauncey Billups recorded 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Pistons, who have a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 5 slated for Tuesday night at The Palace. Richard Hamilton netted 20 points and Tayshaun Prince added 17, as the Pistons overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia was led by Allen Iverson’s game-high 36 points and eight assists. Chris Webber scored 23 points for the 76ers, who have never come back to win a playoff series after losing the first two games of the set.

"It came down to getting stops," Iverson said. "They played championship basketball. But we’re fighters. We’re going to keep fighting."

Billups buried a three-pointer from the left corner and the Pistons owned an 83-82 advantage late in regulation. Willie Green then had a good look on a three but the ball caromed off the rim. Green got his own rebound and was fouled by Billups and made 1-of-2 from the line for an 83-83 score with 3.1 seconds left.

Detroit had one last chance for the win in regulation, but Wallace’s jumper fell short as time expired.

Wallace and Hamilton each had a basket to start the extra period and Detroit had an 87-83 lead. After Andre Iguodala got the Sixers on the board in OT, Wallace nailed a three to extend Detroit’s lead to 90-85. Webber, though, showed his range and buried a three to make it a two-point game.

Iverson was hacked in the face by Billups with 1:48 remaining in overtime and the speedy guard made both free throws to tie the game at 90-90. Wallace kept shooting away and his three put Detroit back on top 93-90. After Samuel Dalembert’s hard-fought layup pulled the 76ers within one, Hamilton nailed a jumper with 14.5 seconds left for a 95-92 Detroit lead.

Kyle Korver made a major blunder by putting up an off-balance jumper and missed. Hamilton then completed the scoring from the charity stripe with 4.2 seconds left and Detroit heads home with a 3-1 series lead.

"It was a great game. I’m proud of my team," Pistons head coach Larry Brown said. "We really kept our poise and feel fortunate for the win."

Billups knocked down an easy jumper and the Pistons owned a 16-8 lead late in the first quarter. The Sixers then scored 13 of the next 17 points for a 21-20 advantage, thanks to back-to-back baskets from Webber. Iverson later banked in a half-court shot at the buzzer and the Sixers led 24-21 after one quarter of play. Iverson had 14 points in the stanza.

Green, fresh off getting eight stitches from a cut above his left eye, added a layup with about five minutes to go in the second quarter for a 32-27 Sixers lead. However, the Pistons answered with a 10-0 run to take a five-point advantage. Prince had five points in the spurt for Detroit, which carried a 41-38 lead into the locker room.

Iverson led all scorers at halftime with 20 points, while Prince paced the Pistons with 10.

The start of the second half was full of action with the Pistons taking a 49-45 lead on a Billups putback. Philadelphia countered with a 12-2 spurt and made it 57-51 on Iverson’s jump shot. The defending champs battled back and pulled within 61-60 on Billups’ three-point play. That score stood after 36 minutes of action.

Webber’s 18-foot jumper early in the fourth quarter gave the Sixers some breathing room at 70-64. Dalembert extended Philly’s lead to 75-66 by sinking 1-of-2 free throws midway through the period.

Iverson then got the crowd into the game with a long three from the left wing and the Sixers claimed an 80-73 edge. Billups, though, fired a three-pointer from the top of the key and Detroit trailed by four.

Billups also scored the next four points and tied it at 80 apiece on two foul shots with 49.4 seconds left in the period. Iverson had the hot hand on the other end and his fade-away jump shot with 28.3 seconds to go put Philadelphia back on top, 82-80.