Pistons topple Bucks for 2-0 lead in series

Tayshaun Prince and Chauncey Billups led the way in a 109-98 win.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Tayshaun Prince scored 22 points and Chauncey Billups had 20 to lead Detroit to a 109-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night, and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
The two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Pistons had lost three straight Game 2s and four of their last five, dating to the 2004 NBA Finals. Before that stretch, Detroit lost to Milwaukee two years ago in the second game of their first-round series en route to the title.
Detroit appeared motivated from the start, a bad sign for the Bucks, and a 12-0 run midway through the second quarter gave the Pistons a cushion they maintained for the rest of the night.
The Bucks' Michael Redd bounced back from an 11-point game with 29, but didn't get much help in the first half as Milwaukee's other starters each scored six or fewer points before halftime.
Play again Saturday
Game 3 is Saturday night in Milwaukee.
Richard Hamilton, who left Game 1 with a sprained left ankle, had 18 points and eight assists in 33 minutes. He started and had eight points in 10 minutes before going to the sideline after the Pistons said he aggravated his injury. Hamilton had the lower part of his left leg wrapped in the third quarter.
Detroit's Rasheed Wallace had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Lindsey Hunter (10) and Antonio McDyess (13) added scoring punch off the bench.
Milwaukee reserve guard Maurice Williams limped off the court late in the third quarter after turning an ankle, depleting a team already without backup forward Toni Kukoc because of back spasms.
Milwaukee's T.J. Ford had 17, reserve Charlie Bell scored 11 and Andrew Bogut, the first overall pick last year, added eight points and 13 rebounds.
Mavericks 94, Grizzlies 79
DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points and Dallas took a 2-0 lead in its first-round series against Memphis, which has never won a postseason game.
The Grizzlies went 16 straight possessions without a point and 10:47 between baskets over the middle two quarters, taking them out of what had been a close game.
Memphis dropped to 0-10 in its postseason history; that's four more losses than any NBA team has ever had before its first victory. The Grizzlies will head home for Game 3 on Saturday halfway to being swept for the third straight year.
Pau Gasol scored 10 points in the first quarter, but finished with 16. Bobby Jackson scored 12 and Eddie Jones -- who organized a players-only dinner Monday night to try rallying the troops -- scored 11.
Josh Howard scored 17 points and Jason Terry had 16 and nine assists. Erick Dampier wasn't as active as he'd been in the opener, but still managed eight points and six rebounds.
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