Detroit Pistons won Game 4 of the first round playoff series against the Milwakee Bucks, to take a 3-1 overall lead. The last year's runner-ups are now one victory away from qualifying into the semifinals of the Eastern Conference. Chauncey Billups scored 34 points, leading his team to a comfortable 109-99 win over Monday's game hosts. The Pistons playmaker made his best appearance in this year's playoff series, managing a total of 10 made free-throws in the 4th quarter. Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince poured in 18 apiece, to let everyone know that the 124-104 loss in the previous game was nothing but a pure coincidence.

"We came into this game really focused on what we needed to do. We just had to grind it out and get to the free throw line", said the visitor's hero, Chauncey Billups. Coach Flip Saunders also admitted that Billups proved to be the tri-factor in the game, and said he is very satisfied with how the team played yesterday night: "Chauncey was great down the stretch, just a great ballgame. When it came down to crunch time, we moved the ball, got some open looks, got the free throw line and did the things you need to do offensively".

Milwakee had to settle with the loss, even if they entered the final quarter with a 76-74 lead. Thanks to point guard T.J. Ford, they stayed in the game until Detroit made their move in the 4th quarter. "T.J. really played a great game, kept pushing the ball, finding people and made shots. They played a good game and we played a good game and with two-and-a-half minutes remaining it could have gone either way", said Milwakee`s coach Terry Stotts after the game. Michael Redd was the only one who managed to keep the pace with Detroit offensive game, scoring 33 points and managing 4 rebounds.

The next game of the series will take place on Wednesday night, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit. With a victory there, Detroit will go into the next round.

The other matches played on Monday:

Memphis Grizzlies - Dallas Mavericks 76-102
L.A. Clippers - Denver Nuggets 101-83