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The Detroit Pistons became the first NBA team to make the second round on Saturday with a 97-93 away victory over the Orlando Magic.
Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton combined to score Detroit's final 12 points as the Pistons swept the Magic 4-0 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series, their first four-game sweep in 18 years.
The last time they accomplished the feat was against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1989 NBA finals.
Detroit will await the winner of the series between Chicago Bulls and defending champions Miami Heat. The Bulls are at 3-0 and can close out the series on Sunday.
It looked like the Pistons might have to return home for game five when Orlando led 85-80 after Grant Hill's dunk with 3:18 to play.
After a time-out, Rasheed Wallace hit a three-pointer to start a 9-1 run by Detroit. Hamilton posted up Jameer Nelson and hit a turnaround to give Detroit an 87-86 lead with 1:39 to play. Billups capped the run with a layup 24 seconds later to make it 89-86.
The Detroit backcourt duo then combined to make six free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory.
Magic All-Star Dwight Howard got 29 points and 17 rebounds and Hill added 17 points.
Editor: Donald
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