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Pistons 96, Spurs 79
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-15 13:38
Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Chauncey Billups added 20 as the
Detroit Pistons hauled themselves back into the NBA Finals with a 96-79 Game
Three victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
San Antonio Spurs'
Manu Ginobili of Argentina sits on the bench in the final minutes of
second half play against the Detroit Pistons during Game 3 of the NBA
Finals in Auburn Hills, Michigan June 14, 2005. The Pistons won 96-79.
[Reuters] |
Ben Wallace added 15 points and hauled down 11 rebounds as the Pistons
bounced back from two lopsided losses in San Antonio.
Wallace also had five blocks and three steals and along with his team mates,
showed much more energy at home than they did on the road.
The Spurs still hold a 2-1 lead over the defending NBA champions with Game
Four of the best-of-seven series in Auburn Hills Thursday.
"I think we figured out how hard we have to play," Detroit coach Larry Brown
said.
"Their energy has been incredible and I don't think we realized we were in
the finals against a really great team that's unbelievably well coached.
"It's one game. Now that game is over. I think our guys have unbelievable
respect for them and realize it's going to take our very best to make this a
competitive series."
Antonio McDyess added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the
Pistons, who trailed 42-41 at the half.
However, Detroit's tenacious defense took control in the second half and a
balanced scoring attack had the Spurs on their heels for the remainder of the
game.
The Pistons rallied to lead by five points after three quarters and
out-scored the Spurs 26-14 in a dominant fourth quarter, looking like a
completely different team than they did in two double-digit losses at San
Antonio.
"We have to be the ones that are aggressive, and I think we did that
tonight," Hamilton said.
"We wanted to come out and play good with our fans and play with a lot of
energy."
LOSE TOUCH
The boisterous support at The Palace of Auburn Hills certainly made a
difference in the second half, as the Pistons delighted a sell-out crowd, the
83rd in succession.
Tony Parker had 21 points for the Spurs and Tim Duncan added 14 points and 10
rebounds, but the NBA champions of 1999 and 2003 began to lose touch at the
start of the fourth quarter and offered even less resistance in the closing
minutes.
"I think that they did a great job of forcing turnovers tonight," San Antonio
coach Gregg Popovich said.
"They were very aggressive and very focused. They won the mental battle
tonight."
Duncan was just five-for-15 from the floor and like the rest of his team
mates, struggled with his form all night.
"We just couldn't get anything going in the offensive end," Duncan said.
"I had some shots and just couldn't knock them down."
San Antoinio's Argentine guard Manu Ginobili, who dominated the opening games
of the series, injured his knee in the first minute and was ineffective the rest
of the night, scoring just seven points in 30 minutes.
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