Basketball: Pitsons trounce Spurs in NBA finals

An inspired Detroit Pistons trounced the San Antonio Spurs 102-71 in game four of the finals yesterday, with Chauncey Billups and Lindsay Hunter leading the scoring on 17 points apiece.

The defending champions dominated the Spurs for the second straight game to even up the best-of-seven series at 2-2, with both teams recording consecutive lopsided home wins.

Similar to Tuesday's 96-79 game three victory, the Pistons broke out of their defensive mould to score heavily against a shell-shocked Spurs rearguard.

The Pistons relied on a complete team effort to cruise to victory, with Rasheed Wallace adding 14 points and Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess both chipping in with 13.

The Pistons took control early to grab a 23-17 advantage after one quarter and cheered on by a boisterous home crowd, pulled away to lead 51-36 at the half.

Detroit increased the margin to as many as 19 points in the third quarter and led 74-57 heading into the fourth.

The Spurs made 17 turnovers to just three for Detroit as the Pistons continued to pour it on in the final quarter, turning the contest into a rout by frustrating their opponents with a tenacious defence and varied offense.

Detroit also got tremendous contributions from its bench, with Hunter scoring his 17 points in 22 minutes and McDyess getting his 13 points in just 19 minutes.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 16 points and 16 rebounds, but he was just five-for-17 from the floor.

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker also struggled, both managing just 12 points.

Game five of the series is at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Monday, before the teams return to San Antonio for a sixth game next Tuesday and a possible decider on Wednesday.