Sixers Rally To Stun Pistons in Game 1

Basketball

By Associated Press
April 21, 2008

Andre Miller scored 20 points and Willie Green had a career playoff-high 17, helping the Philadelphia 76ers stun the Detroit Pistons 90-86 Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round series.

The Eastern Conference's second-seeded team was expected to beat the seventh-seeded Sixers by double digits and did lead by 15 midway through the third quarter.

But Philadelphia refused to follow the script.

After the Sixers trailed 62–47, Green made two baskets to start a 10–0 run that sparked a comeback.

Miller gave Philadelphia a lead midway through the fourth quarter for the first time since late in the first. After Chauncey Billups missed three of four free throws and a layup in 2-plus minutes late in the game, he made two from the line to pull the Pistons within one with 45 seconds left.

Detroit's Jason Maxiell drew a charge on the ensuing possession, giving the home team a chance to avoid an upset.

The Pistons set up a play that created an open shot for Tayshaun Prince, but his jumper was short. After Andre Iguodala made one of two free throws with 11 seconds left, Rasheed Wallace missed a shot near the basket that would have tied it at 88.

Iguodala then made two free throws with 7 seconds left to seal the win. Wallace had 24 points, nine rebounds and matched a franchise playoff record with seven blocks.

Iguodala finished with 16 points after a slow start, reserve Reggie Evans had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Thaddeus Young scored 10 for the Sixers. Billups scored 14, Richard Hamilton had 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting,