Pistons defeat Lakers 88-68
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-11 12:26

Richard Hamilton poured in 31 points and Chauncey Billups scored 19, as Detroit rebounded from a disheartening loss on Tuesday to pound the Lakers, 88-68, in Game 3 at The Palace.

Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (R) cerebrates at the end of the game with teammate Tayshaun Prince at the end of Game 3 of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan  June 10, 2004. Hamilton scored 31 points as the Pistons defeated the Lakers 88-68 to put the series at two games to one. [Reuters]

The Pistons, hosting an NBA Finals game for the first time in 14 years, avoided a repeat of Kobe Bryant's heroics in Game 2 by smothering the Los Angeles offense.

The Lakers were held under 70 points in the playoffs for the first time since the inception of the shot clock.

Detroit improved to 10-1 when holding their opponent to 80 points or less in this year's postseason, and now have a 2-1 series lead with two more home games in the next five days.

Bryant's game tying three-pointer in regulation and four points in overtime led his team to a 99-91 victory in Game 2 -- helping the Lakers avoid a historically deadly 2-0 series hole.

But their would be no heroics in this one by the normally-clutch Bryant. He scored just one point before halftime and ended the game with 11 on 4-of-13 shooting.

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal wipes his face as he sits on the bench in the second half against the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the 2004 NBA Finals at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 10, 2004. [Reuters]

Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers with 14 points, but ended his record streak of scoring at least 25 points in 21 straight NBA Finals games. He also racked up five fouls for the second straight game.

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