Basketball: Detroit Pistons take 2-1 lead over LA Lakers

Richard Hamilton scored 31 points for the Detroit Pistons while their crippling defence shut down the Los Angeles Lakers in an 88-68 rout yesterday, giving them a 2-1 series lead in the final.

Game three of the best-of-seven series began with worrying questions about how Detroit would respond to a crushing overtime loss to the Lakers in game two.

But any concerns over the lingering affects of the stunning collapse were quickly erased as the Pistons, feeding off the energy of a raucous sellout crowd of 22,076, took control from the opening tip-off and never trailed.

Playing the tenacious defence that has become their trademark, the Pistons defused the Lakers' two biggest weapons Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, handing Los Angeles one of their most embarrassing defeats in franchise history.

The 68 points scored by the Lakers were their lowest-ever in an NBA playoff game and the third lowest finals total in the shot-clock era.

"I don't think we can defend better than tonight," Piston's coach Larry Brown said.

Energised by the home crowd, the Pistons jumped out to a 24-16 lead at the first quarter.

But as the second half approached, they lost their way and scoring touch, allowing the Lakers to trim the deficit to 39-32.

The start of the second half unfolded much like the first, the Lakers moving to within five before the Pistons stamped their authority on the contest, surging to 60-44 lead.

There was no let-up in the final quarter, the Pistons continuing to pile the points on, at one stage leading 72-52.

The Pistons will now have a chance to win the championship at home with game four scheduled for tomorrow, followed by game five on Tuesday, both at home.