Pistons Sweep Magic, Head to Round Two of the NBA Playoffs

The first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs could not have been better for the Detroit Pistons. The first seed Pistons eliminated the eighth seed Orlando Magic Saturday, winning game four 97-93. The short round has earned the Pistons some time off, at least a week, before round two.

"I think it would be great for our guys to get some time off before the next series." said Detroit guard Chauncey Billups said Friday. "I think we'll be thinking about that at the start of the game, trying to get the win so we can be blessed enough to get some time off. "

The Pistons outplayed the Magic in every aspect of the game, both in their regular season meetings and in the playoffs. Winning game three by 16 points, the Pistons were able to carry the momentum on the road to a game four victory.

Orlando brought familiar faces to the series with former Pistons Grant Hill and Darko Milicic, who each received many boos during the first two games in Detroit. Milicic was determined to show he was an asset to his new team and scored 14 points in game one in Detroit.

"I was happy for Darko that he played well," Magic coach Brian Hill commented on Milicic's game one performance. "Obviously the fans have been a little rough on him here. I thought he played hard and with a good amount of confidence. It was good to see him have a good game."

Hill is less than optimistic of his NBA future and is contemplating retirement at the age of 34. Still in pain from ankle surgery, Hill is expected to announce a decision in July.

With the first playoff sweep for Detroit since 1990, the Pistons are poised for a long, strong playoff run. They are set to face the winner of the Miami Heat versus the Chicago Bulls series. The Bulls are currently ahead three games to none, with game four Sunday.

"We kept good focus," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "(Orlando) helped prepare us. We swept them, but by no means was this an easy series. We had to play in this series, and they definitely didn't give it to us."

The Pistons have the experience and the depth to carry them in the playoffs this season. Their top scorers Billups and Richard "Rip" Hamilton have each scored around 20 points per game. Completing the superstar starting line up are Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Chris Webber, who all contribute double digit points each game. All three know what it is like to deal with the playoff pressure. Wallace and Prince have previously won championships with Detroit and hometown boy Webber was a member of the "Fab 5" on the University of Michigan's college championship victors.