AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons demonstrated Saturday night why they could return to the conference finals for a fifth consecutive season.

The Orlando Magic proved they have a ways to go.

The Pistons never trailed in a 100-92 victory, while the Magic – the only playoff team with a losing record – turned the ball over 21 times, missed 18 free throws and never really threatened to win.

Richard Hamilton scored 22 points, Rasheed Wallace had 16 and midseason addition Chris Webber added 12 for the Pistons, the No. 1 seed in the East.

Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups, dubbed Mr. Big Shot for his clutch play, made his free throws down the stretch but otherwise wasn’t needed in that capacity Saturday. Instead, he had 22 points and 11 assists while holding his counterpart, Jameer Nelson, to 10 points. Nelson fouled out with 25 seconds remaining.

All five Pistons starters scored in double figures.

Former Pistons Grant Hill and Darko Milicic each scored 14 points for the Magic, who dropped all four regular-season contests against Detroit. Hedo Turkoglu led Orlando with 17.

All-Star center Dwight Howard had 13 points and 19 rebounds, but was only 3-of-11 from the free throw line in his playoff debut.

Orlando shot 58 percent from the field, but 50 percent from the line.

AP-ES-04-21-07 2204EDT