Piston's D slows Howard

Dwight Howard notched three 20-20 games during Orlando’s first-round win over Toronto, but Detroit downed 'Superman' on Saturday. Howard mustered just 12 points and eight rebounds as the Pistons rotated fresh defenders into the game to play physical on the inside. With Howard a virtual non-factor, Detroit was also able to focus its perimeter defense. The Magic hit 801 3-pointers in the regular season – second most in NBA history – and relied heavily on the jumper in defeating the Raptors, but shot just 2-of-15 from behind the arc during Game 1. Despite troubles from the outside, the Magic hung tight through the first half, trailing by just one at the break. Detroit took control of the game during the third quarter with a 19-3 run, and then pulled away at the start of the fourth quarter with a 17-4 streak on the way to a 91-72 win. Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu led the way for Orlando with 18 points a piece, while Chauncey Billups paced the Pistons with 19 points and seven assists. Howard left the game in the third quarter with a hand injury, but later returned with his left thumb taped. “It's just a bruise. I'll be all right,” he said after the game.