EASTERN CONFERENCE Pistons can wrap up series tonight

Detroit can make the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1991.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Tayshaun Prince is quickly becoming a go-to player. So is Chucky Atkins.
Behind the clutch shooting of their rookie forward and backup point guard, the Detroit Pistons are on the verge of reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1991, the year after they won their second straight NBA title.
The Pistons hold a 3-2 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their second-round series. Game 6 is tonight at the First Union Center.
"It would be nice to close it out there," Pistons coach Rick Carlisle said Thursday. "Philly is a very tough place to play, but we know we were a good road team during the regular season, and we know we are capable of doing it."
Home team prevailed
The home team has won each game in this series. Detroit has lost 14 of its last 15 playoff road games. The Sixers are trying to become just the eighth team in NBA history to win a best-of-7 series after losing the first two games.
The Pistons wouldn't be in position to close out Philadelphia if it weren't for Prince and Atkins, playing for the injured Chauncey Billups.
Atkins' layup with less than a second remaining in Game 5 Wednesday night was good after Derrick Coleman was called for goaltending, giving Detroit a 78-77 victory. Prince gave the Pistons a 76-74 lead on a spinning layup with 16.6 seconds to go.
Prince's shot was similar to the spinning 4-footer he made with 4.2 seconds remaining in Game 2 to force overtime. He went on to score the first five points in the extra session, leading the Pistons to a 104-97 victory that gave them a 2-0 lead.
Seldom-used in the regular season, the 6-foot-9 Prince has emerged in the playoffs. He scored 20 points in Game 7 against Orlando in the first round, and is averaging 10.6 points in the postseason.
"The coaches and players have great confidence in me," Prince said. "The thing when I get the ball is just a matter of seeing if I can get a good look or get a good shot and if not, make a play for somebody else. No matter if I miss a shot or make a turnover, just be positive and try to make something happen. But the confidence level has been there all series long."