Detroit's Billups leaves game

Posted: Wed May 7 10:47 PM

Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups left Wednesday night's 111-86 playoff loss against Orlando due to a strained right hamstring.

Billups was hurt with 8:11 left in the opening quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. He tried driving from the right side to the hoop, knocking down Orlando's Jameer Nelson. Billups' leg got tangled with Nelson, and as he fell Billups did a mini-split. Billups then remained on his stomach for a few moments.

Rodney Stuckey entered the game for Billups, who later left to the locker room and didn't return.

After the game, Pistons coach Flip Saunders said the goal was for Billups to play on Saturday in Game 4.

"He's sore right now, but it's one of these things where you can ask questions but we won't know for the next 24 hours to see where he's really at," Saunders said. "But all indications are that we're shooting for him to play on Saturday."

The Pistons lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, and Billups has been a big part of Detroit's success this postseason. He came into Wednesday's game averaging 17.5 points and 6.4 assists during the postseason. Billups scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, including a controversial three-pointer in the final second of the third quarter, as the Pistons beat the Magic, 100-93, in Game 2 on Monday.