AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit's defense was so dominant it was almost offensive, at least to those who believe basketball should be about scoring.
The Nets found out that this series against the Pistons will be nothing like last season's.
Holding the Nets to the second-fewest points in playoff history, the Pistons defeated New Jersey 78-56 Monday night in an Eastern Conference semifinal opener that featured the lowest-scoring first half in a postseason game.
"We wanted to come out and make a statement," Detroit's Richard Hamilton said.
That statement was this: Go ahead and try to score.
The Nets couldn't come up with an answer, scoring 25 in the first half and 39 through three quarters. Only reserve Tamar Slay's jumper with 42 seconds left allowed New Jersey to avoid tying the fewest playoff points in history, 54 by Utah against Chicago during the 1998 NBA title series.
"It was almost like we thought we were playing a different game, where the lowest score wins," Jason Kidd said.
The loss snapped New Jersey's streak of 14 postseason victories against conference teams since April 2003. Included was a sweep against the Pistons in the conference final.
"The whole Eastern Conference needed this," Detroit coach Larry Brown said.
Tayshaun Price had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Hamilton scored 15 and Ben Wallace had 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three blocks.
New Jersey shot 27.1 percent and tied the postseason record for fewest field goals at 19 in what was easily its worst offensive performance of the season.
The Pistons held a 37-25 halftime lead. The record of 63 combined was reached three times, most recently in Game 3 of the NBA title series in June when San Antonio led the Nets 33-30 at halftime.
Kenyon Martin scored 11 for the Nets, 12 fewer than his playoff average. Richard Jefferson had eight after missing 11 of 12 shots.
"I'm a 50 percent shooter for my career, so 1-of-12 is absurd," Jefferson said. "It's unbelievable almost. But give them credit, it was one of those nights."
