Payton, Not Shaq, puts Heat on Lakers
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-26 08:50

The Spurs lost the lead midway through the first quarter, and didn't regain it. Detroit led by just four after three quarters, but pulled away by outscoring the Spurs 28-17 in the fourth.

The Pistons made just 42 percent of their shots, but held the Spurs to 40 percent shooting and outrebounded them 57-30, including an 18-6 edge on the offensive glass.

While the game was low scoring, like the 2005 NBA Finals, the matchups were intriguing.

Bruce Bowen hounded Hamilton, holding him to 4-of-15 shooting. Duncan and Rasheed Wallace, who have played against each other since college, had some sensational one-on-one duels near the basket.

The Pistons, playing on Christmas for the third time in four years, hosted a game on the holiday for the first time since 1984, when they played at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Spurs played on Christmas for the first time since 1999.

The Spurs led 6-2 before going cold. Detroit scored the last eight points of the quarter, taking an 18-8 lead. Parker was 4-of-8 in the first quarter, and his teammates were scoreless after missing 12 shots and two free throws. San Antonio's defense kept it in the game, holding the Pistons to 6-of-18 shooting.

Duncan, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, came alive in the second quarter with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Pistons were able to hold off his surge with eight points from reserves and they led 40-30 at halftime.

San Antonio went on a 10-2 run early in the second half and later scored six straight, pulling to 49-46. The Pistons led 57-53 after three quarters.