Pistons Know How to Close Out a Series

Detroit Piston's Richard Hamilton reacts in front of Chauncey Billups (1) after making a three-point basket during the fourth quarter of their first-round NBA basketball playoff game against the Milwaukee Bucks Monday, May 1, 2006, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash - AP)

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons do not drag things out when they have a chance to eliminate opponents. That's not good news for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Detroit hosts Milwaukee on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series with a 3-1 lead.

When the Pistons have had a chance to end a series since the 2003 playoffs, they have won nine of their last 10 games _ with the only loss coming last year at San Antonio in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

"We know we can't let teams back in series and that closeout games are the most important games," reserve guard Lindsey Hunter said.

Drawing comparisons to how franchises have done in previous years can be misleading for some teams and their changing faces. But the Pistons are using four of the same starters for the fourth straight postseason and the other, Rasheed Wallace, is a Piston in the playoffs for a third year in a row.

Experience should be an edge against a team with only one starter _ Michael Redd _ that had played in a postseason game before this year.

Despite being double-digit underdogs on the road, the Bucks are not lacking confidence.

"We're coming to win a game," Redd said.

Backup guard Charlie Bell said Milwaukee is not ready to have its season end.

"They came in here and got one, we feel we can go there and get one," Bell said.

The Bucks plan to defend Chauncey Billups with Redd, instead of T.J. Ford, after the All-Star point guard scored 24 of 34 points after halftime to lead Detroit to a 109-99 victory and a 3-1 series lead Monday night.

"We're going to try to put a bigger guy on him and have T.J. chase around Rip (Richard Hamilton) a little bit more," Redd said.