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)

Billups is leading Detroit with 23.5 points per game in the playoffs.

"Chauncey's an MVP player," Bucks coach Terry Stotts said. "He knows how to pick his spots. He's got a great talent to make plays when it counts."

Hamilton has been easier to defend than he usually is because he's slowed by a bruised thigh and a sprained ankle. The shooting guard is averaging 16.8 points _ down from his career playoff average of 20.9 _ on just 34.5 percent shooting.

Detroit coach Flip Saunders is not even considering resting Hamilton.

"You can't just shut guys down," Saunders said. "It's not that bad really."

If the Pistons beat Milwaukee on Wednesday, they will have at least a few days off before the second round and as much as a week if Cleveland and Washington extend their series to seven games.

"It's incentive to get days off (to rest players) and preparation for coaches," Saunders said. "Any time you can get into a playoff situation and get a three- or four-day rest, you can get back to your basics with some good practices."

Ben Wallace expects the Bucks to do everything they can to ruin Detroit's possible break.

"You know they're going to come out with a lot of energy early," he said. "You just have to withstand that, and hopefully they'll wear down and we'll find a way to close out the game."