NBA Playoffs Roundup | Sixers' comeback surprises Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons were hanging out at the scorer's table as if it was an exhibition game, joking around with a former teammate as he enjoyed a drink and nachos in the front row.

The 76ers made them pay for it.

Andre Miller scored 20 points and Willie Green had a career playoff-high 17, helping Philadelphia stun Detroit 90-86 on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Sixers forward Reggie Evans smiled when told the Pistons were shooting the breeze with Flip Murray during breaks in the game.

"That's good," Evans said.

The Eastern Conference's second-seeded team was expected to beat the seventh-seeded Sixers by double digits and did lead by 15 midway through the third quarter. But Philadelphia refused to follow the script.

After the Sixers trailed 62-47, Green made two baskets during a 10-0 run that sparked a comeback.

"That kind of swung the momentum," Miller said.

Miller gave Philadelphia a lead midway through the fourth quarter for the first time since late in the first.

After Chauncey Billups missed three of four free throws and a layup in 2-plus minutes late in the game, he made two from the line to pull the Pistons to one with 45 seconds left.

Detroit's Jason Maxiell drew a charge on the ensuing possession, giving the home team a chance to avoid an upset.

The Pistons set up a play that created an open shot for Tayshaun Prince, but his jumper was short. After Andre Iguodala made one of two free throws with 11 seconds left, Detroit's Rasheed Wallace missed a shot near the basket that would have tied it at 88.

"I'm going to put this on me," Wallace said. "There's no excuses.

Iguodala made two free throws with 7 seconds left.

"I'm pretty sure we shocked a lot of people," Evans said.

The Pistons hadn't lost a Game 1 in the first round since 2003 against Orlando.

Other games

Magic 114, Raptors 100

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard was in high school the last time Orlando won a playoff game. On Sunday afternoon, he made sure the Magic didn't have to wait any longer.

Howard had 25 points and 22 rebounds and blocked five shots, and the Magic defeated Toronto in the opener of their first-round series.

"It felt real good — it was an amazing feeling for me," Howard said. "Actually, I almost got some tears."

Howard scored six straight points in a 10-0 fourth-quarter run that sealed Orlando's first playoff win since 2003.

Anthony Parker had 24 points for the Raptors, who drew to five with 10:24 left in the fourth on two quick three-pointers by Jason Kapono and a Parker jumper. But Toronto went scoreless for the next 3:16.

Celtics 104, Hawks 81

BOSTON — Ray Allen scored 18 points and Kevin Garnett had 16 as the two newcomers sparked a win in the opener against Atlanta.

Garnett stopped a 14-3 Hawks run with a jumper, starting a six-point Boston surge that made it 35-27 in the second quarter. And Allen scored 10 straight Celtics points midway through the third that extended a 13-point lead to 67-48 with 5:39 left in the period.

The Celtics' lead ranged from 12 to 27 points the rest of the way.

Atlanta was led by rookie Al Horford with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Note

• Mark Jackson may be the likely favorite for the New York Knicks' vacant head-coaching position, but Herb Williams has the opportunity to get the first audience with Donnie Walsh, according to Newsday reports. The longtime Knicks assistant is to meet with Walsh today. The Knicks failed to make the playoffs.