The Pistons were ahead 87-85 before Horry caught a pass and quickly launched a 3-pointer that dropped through with 1:17 left in regulation, giving him seven straight points for the Spurs. Duncan had a chance to extend the lead after Hamilton missed a jumper, but the career 69 percent foul shooter missed a pair from the line with 1 minute remaining.
Billups scored on another of his crafty drives to give Detroit an 89-88 lead, and the Pistons fouled Duncan when he got the ball down low on the next possession. With the crowd noise at its loudest of the series, Duncan missed the first foul shot -- making him 0-for-6 in the period -- but made the second.
San Antonio's best defender, forward Bruce Bowen, took over guarding Billups on the next possession, and there appeared to be contact as Billups drove the lane and missed. But no foul was called, and San Antonio got the ball back with 16.9 seconds left able to hold for the last shot of regulation.
Ginobili dribbled the clock down and drove on Tayshaun Prince, but missed. Duncan was there for the rebound, grabbed the ball with two hands and had a wide-open chance for an easy putback, but his shot somehow came up short. He walked off with his hands balled into fists covering his mouth.
No matter who wins the NBA championship, there's a strong likelihood the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs will be competing for titles for the next several years. Both teams have been built to last.
The Pistons are back with the same starting five that defeated the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The changes made to the roster in the offseason -- trading Corliss Williamson and allowing Mehmet Okur and Mike James to leave as free agents -- were made in order to free up future salary space to re-sign Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince to long-term deals.
The other three starters, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton, are already locked into long-term deals at reasonable prices, a big part of the season why Detroit's US$52 million payroll might just be the most cost effective in the NBA.
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