Pistons' victory forces Finals down to a Game 7

SAN ANTONIO -- This was a city ready to pop. Fans by the thousands greeted the Spurs at the airport early Monday morning after the dramatic, overtime win in Game 5. Hotels along the Riverwalk issued warnings to guests that things might get a little, um, rowdy in the wee hours should the Spurs clinch the NBA title in Game 6.

The SBC Center was a continuous wall of sound during the game. Fans stood for the final, hectic minutes, as did players on both benches, agonizing with each possession.

All that was needed was for the homeboys to finish the job. They were not up to the task, and the fiesta is on hold.

With Rasheed Wallace scoring 7 of his 16 down the stretch, the Pistons fought off elimination, forcing a Game 7 tomorrow night with a gutsy, gritty 95-86 victory. Once again, Detroit's trademark resilience showed through, as the Pistons made big play after big play down the stretch -- at both ends.

''This is what our team is all about," said Pistons coach Larry Brown. ''I've been with these guys for two years and they don't disappoint me in terms of their desire to win and their respect for each other."

The Pistons put this one away by outscoring the Spurs, 8-0, over the final 2:21, turning a nail-biter into an arena-emptier. It was an 87-86 game after a Tim Duncan hoop, but the Spurs would not score another point. After a timeout, Tayshaun Prince swooped through the lane for a floater to make it 89-86. After a miss by Manu Ginobili (21 points), Wallace was there to direct in a Chauncey Billups miss, making it a 5-point game.

''He's an unbelievable competitor," Brown said of Wallace, who was saddled with five fouls. ''We needed him down the stretch."

Billups (21 points) and Prince added two free throws to finish out the scoring. Rip Hamilton led the Pistons with 23 points. For San Antonio, Duncan had another big night, statistically, with 21 points and 15 rebounds. But he missed five more free throws and twice was victimized by Wallace 3-pointers. The Spurs missed 10 of 26 free throws and were a horrific 8 of 28 from international waters.

''That's too many," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Detroit connected on eight treys as well; it had made eight in the first five games of the series.

This marks the first time since 1994 that the Finals have gone to the seven-game maximum. It's also the first time since the NBA went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985 that the visiting team won Game 6 when facing elimination. The visiting team has not won a Game 7 on the road since 1978.

Prior to the game, Brown said of the Pistons' situation, ''It's not a lot of fun. But a good friend of mine called me and reminded me about the Red Sox. They had to go into Yankee Stadium and win two and they weren't the defending champs, so I am confident our guys will show up and play our best game."

Brown couldn't have a lot of complaints after last night. His team shot 46.8 percent. It committed only five turnovers. And it survived a frantic game that featured 23 lead changes and 11 ties, with the biggest lead being the final 9-point margin.

''It's huge," Billups said. ''We get to go back to the hotel instead of to the airplane. This is as big as it gets."

The game was tied after one quarter, and the Spurs were leading, 47-46, after an evenly played half. The Pistons snapped the game's final tie (67-67) near the end of the third quarter and led, 71-67, after three. It marked only the second time in the postseason that San Antonio trailed after three at home.

Detroit never lost the lead in the fourth. The Spurs were within 1 on two occasions and appeared ready to make their move when back-to-back hoops by Duncan made it 87-86. Everything looked ready for a San Antonio finish, a third title for Duncan, and the promised celebration.

After Prince's hoop, Ginobili (7 of 17) missed. Billups then drove to the hoop and missed the bunny, but Wallace was there for the tip-in. Wallace then swiped a Ginobili pass, which basically closed out the Spurs. (San Antonio had 12 turnovers leading to 14 points, and the Spurs managed only 6 points off Detroit's five miscues.) The Spurs then made it worse by missing their last seven shots and it was back to the practice court.

''We played all year to have this opportunity," said Duncan.

It didn't work for them last night. If they didn't know it by now, these Pistons don't care where or whom they play. The harder it looks, the easier they seem to make it.

''We're down a lot of times," said Billups. ''But we are never out."