The Nets got 18 of their 28 fast-break points in the first quarter. The Pistons, meanwhile, finished with just four points off the break.
The bench kept the Pistons in it in the second quarter as the Nets' running game slowed. Kidd was just 3-for-11 from the field in the half, although Martin (4-for-7) and Richard Jefferson (5-for-7) made up the slack as New Jersey led 43-36 at the break.
By the third quarter, the Nets were totally bogged down. Kidd, hounded by Billups, simply lost the ball out of bounds trying to drive on one possession, then missed a contested fast-break layup the next time down.
The Pistons took their first lead when Hamilton's suspenseful 3-pointer bounced above the shot clock and grazed the backboard before falling in with 6:59 to go in the third.
The Nets rediscovered the break in the fourth, pulling within four on Kerry Kittles' layup, then tying the score on a four-point possession after Okur was called for a flagrant foul on Rodney Rogers' layup.
On Wednesday, Videoland will show New Jersey at Detroit (Game 2) at 8am live. Thursday, ESPN will show Dallas at San Antonio (Game 2) at 9:30am live. Friday, Videoland will show Detroit at New Jersey (Game 3) at 8:30am live. On Saturday, ESPN will show San Antonio at Dallas (Game 3) at 9:30am live.
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