AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 8 (UPI) -- Rookie Tayshaun Prince forced overtime with 4.2 seconds left Thursday night, then scored seven points in the extra session to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 104-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
A first-round pick who played sparingly during the season, Prince has seen increased playing time in the postseason. His 6-9 frame makes him a tough matchup for opposing guards, as Aaron McKie and Greg Buckner found out.
Prince had 20 points while making eight of 13 shots and grabbed nine rebounds. He got a chance to play in place of injured guard Chauncey Billups, who sat out with a sprained ankle.
He had a chance to be a hero after Allen Iverson uncharacteristically missed two free throws with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter, leaving Philadelphia with a 92-90 lead.
Starting from the right wing against Buckner, Prince dribbled into the lane and spun toward the hoop for the tying layup. Eric Snow shot an airball on a three-point attempt at the buzzer.
The Pistons set an NBA record by going 8-0 in overtime during the regular season, including one against the 76ers. They never trailed in the extra session as Prince opened the period with another inside hoop against McKie and a three-pointer that beat the shot clock.
Philadelphia cut the deficit to 100-97 and could have tied it, but McKie missed a three-pointer with 35 seconds to go. On the next possession, Prince backed down McKie and put in another soft lefthanded hook to seal it with 14 seconds remaining.
Philadelphia hosts Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday. It has never won a series after losing the first two games.
