The Detroit Pistons rose up to the challenge in the second game of the Eastern Conference finals, winning against the Boston Celtics with 103 – 97. The series in now tied at 1 – 1 and the third game is set for Saturday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Richard Hamilton delivered 25 points (with 7 shots made out of 16 fired) and Chauncey Billups, in a much better physical state, added 19 points for the win. Tayshaun Prince had 14 points and eight rebounds, Antonio McDyess had 15 points and eight rebounds and Rasheed Wallace added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Rodney Stuckey had 13 points, his help off the bench being referred to by Hamilton as “huge.” Even Paul Pierce admitted that the young player gave them trouble, considering him the X factor for Detroit’s win.

Boston’s Big Three had a good night, but it just wasn’t enough to stop a very determined Piston’s team. Paul Pierce had 26 points, Kevin Garnett scored 24 points and Ray Allen got his groove back with 25, out of which 12 were in the fourth quarter.

“It was good to see Ray have a good game,” Garnett said, according to the New York Times. “Confidence-wise, this is what he needed,” he added, hoping that Allen’s contribution for the next few games will be on a similar level.

Game three’s outcome is anybody’s guess, as the Celtics are looking for their first win on the road in a long time and the Pistons will work hard to use the home court advantage.