Magic Roll Over Pistons 111-86 in Game 3

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 24 points, while rookie Rodney Stuckey posted 19 points.

Rashard Lewis scored a playoff career-high 33 points and Dwight Howard posted a double-double of 20 and 12 rebounds as the host Magic rolled to a 111-86 victory over the Pistons in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Wednesday. Photo courtesy: Orlando Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. - Rashard Lewis scored a playoff career-high 33 points and Dwight Howard posted a double-double of 20 and 12 rebounds as the host Magic rolled to a 111-86 victory over the Pistons in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Wednesday.

Orlando got off to a strong start and never looked back. Detroit still leads the series 2-1, but lost All-Star guard Chauncey Billups with an apparent leg injury early on. His status for Saturday’s Game 4 in Orlando is unknown.

The Magic had lost nine straight playoff games to the Pistons, tied for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history.

Lewis triggered a quick start with 18 of his 33 points in the first half as Orlando jumped out to a 54-42 halftime lead.

Detroit rallied back in the third behind Tayshaun Prince, who scored 10 of his 22 in the quarter to help make it a four-point deficit heading into the fourth.

But it was all Orlando in the final 12 minutes. Keyon Dooling scored all 10 of his points in the fourth as the Magic outscored the Pistons 38-17 in the final period.

Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu finished with 18 points apiece for the Magic.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 24 points. Rookie Rodney Stuckey posted 19 points.

i think orlando is the better team here.

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