Detroit edges 76ers, 78-77

A goaltending call in the final second was the difference.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons didn't need Chucky Atkins for much of the season.
They would be in rough shape in the playoffs -- or even eliminated -- without him.
Atkins' layup with 0.9 seconds remaining was goaltended by Philadelphia's Derrick Coleman, giving Detroit a 78-77 victory Wednesday night and a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
"It's been a different year for me," said Atkins, a last-minute replacement for the injured Chauncey Billups. "I haven't played as much as I wanted to play this year."
Atkins averaged just 7.1 points and 21.5 minutes in the regular season after losing his starting point guard spot when Billups signed as a free agent. But after Billups sprained his ankle in Game 1, Atkins scored 23 points to help the Pistons win Game 2. He scored 17 points Wednesday.
76ers had lead
Eric Snow hit a 3-pointer with 9.4 seconds remaining to give the 76ers their only lead.
Philadelphia's Allen Iverson missed 20 of 25 shots and finished with 14 points, one more than his career playoff low.
"I felt that my effort was there and I gave all the energy I had, I just didn't make shots," he said.
Atkins took an inbounds pass with 3.7 seconds remaining and drove the right side for the winning shot that was in the basket when Coleman knocked it out from below with 0.9 seconds to go.
"Just please go in, that's all I was saying," Atkins said.
Iverson missed a long heave as time expired.
The game was close after it looked like it might be a rout.
The Sixers trailed 18-4, and by at least seven until early in the third quarter.
Hamilton sparks Pistons
Richard Hamilton sparked Detroit's fast start with 14 of his 20 points in the first quarter.
Before Snow's basket, Detroit rookie Tayshaun Prince made a spinning layup for his 13th point with 16.6 seconds left to give the Pistons a 76-74 lead. Prince, who was barely used during the regular season, made a similar shot to force overtime in the Pistons' Game 2 victory.
Coleman had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Snow added 16 points and Aaron McKie had 10.