Billups Injured as Magic beat Pistons in Orlando
Orlando got to a ‘’magical'’ start before Chauncey Billups hurt his magical hamstring.
That was the scene before the Magic defeated the Pistons, 111-86, in Game 3 to cut Detroit’s lead to 2-1 in the second round of the 2008 NBA playoffs. With Billups now injured, the Magic will be looking to tie this series in Game 4 still to be played in Orlando.
The Pistons were coming into Game 3 looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead and sweep the Magic in Orlando again. Unfortunately for Piston fans, Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis got all his spells from the three point arc working for him.
Jeez… That could very well be 
an understatement too as Rashard Lewis scored a playoff-high 33 points to lead Orlando to their first win in round number two. Yep, watching this guy virtually kill the Pistons all by himself was unbearable to watch, for Piston fans like me anyway.
The Detroit Pistons stood there in awe as Lewis went 5-6 from three-point country, leaving Rasheed Wallace dumbfounded. (And talking a lot to the referees as well for that matter…)
The Magic jumped on the Detroit Pistons right from the get-go, leading 30-16 after the very first quarter. Although the Pistons kept it close before halftime and again in the third, the Magic outscored Detroit 38-17 in the final stanza en route to the 111-86 win.
However, losing Game 3 should probably be not much of a concern for Detroit. What the Pistons should be worried about is the fact that Chauncey Billups injured his right hamstring and could STILL be out when this series resumes for Game 4 in Orlando on Saturday.
Billups, as of press time, is listed as day-today.
‘’I'm concerned because he’s our quarterback, he runs our team,'’ Detroit Pistons head coach Flip Saunders said. ‘’You saw our first two games. He’s been a huge part of why we’ve been successful, that matchup has been huge for us.'’
Looks like backup Rodney Stuckey would have to grow up a lot faster in the playoffs.
Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.
San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350
Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300
Boston Celtics EVEN +450
Detroit Pistons EVEN +1,000
Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.
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