Pistons don't consider advantage gone against Nets

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- In a postseason of home-court domination, the Detroit Pistons aren't worried about their recent road embarrassments in New Jersey.

"This is the reason why you play 82 games, to try to get home-court advantage," Detroit's Tayshaun Prince said. "We did our job at home, and we didn't on the road. It's important for us to not let them come in and get a win."

The Pistons won Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-7 series at home by 22 and 15 points. They lost the next two on the road, which the Nets won by 18 and 15 points.

While it's common for home teams to win in the NBA playoffs -- there were just two road victories in the first 14 second-round games -- what the Nets and Pistons have done is rare. Their first four games have been decided by 15 points or more, and that has happened just two other times in league history.

"Neither team has played up to their capabilities," New Jersey's Richard Jefferson said Wednesday. "Sooner or later, both teams are going to play up to their capabilities and we're going to have a heck of a game."

Game 5 in the Eastern Conference semifinal is Friday at The Palace, and if necessary, Game 7 will be back in suburban Detroit next week.

Kerry Kittles said the two-time Eastern Conference champion Nets feel good about going back on the road even though they were routed in Game 1, and blew a 12-point halftime lead in Game 2.

"Even after the games in Detroit our confidence wasn't shaken as a team," Kittles said. "We have experience and guys know what they can and can't do."

Pistons coach Larry Brown said effort has been the key intangible in the series.

"Every game, I write, 'Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Have fun. Rebound the ball,"' Brown said. "We didn't have any fun. We didn't play together. We didn't play smart. We didn't rebound the ball. And we didn't play hard.

"We looked like we had a lot more energy than they did in the first two games. They had a lot more energy than us in Game 3 and 4. Whether the crowd had something to do it, or confidence of playing at home, I don't know."

Jefferson dismissed that fans are a factor on the road -- or at home.

"It has nothing to do with their crowd," Jefferson said. "Hey, we were winning a lot of games at home when we were second to last in attendance in the NBA."

Two of Detroit's top players -- Rasheed Wallace (sore left arch) and Chauncey Billups (back sprain) didn't practice Wednesday after being limited with injuries in Game 4. Both are expected to play Friday

Brown was fined $7,500 by the NBA on Wednesday for criticizing officials, and the Hall of Fame coach said he expected it.

"I'm not saying anything I don't believe in my heart," he said.

On Monday, Brown said referees tried to antagonize Wallace, who was limited to 22 minutes in Game 3 because of foul trouble.

"It's just not right, it's not fair," Brown said. "I just think they disrespect the kid in general, that's the bottom line."

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