---

The Detroit Pistons just dominated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2005 NBA Finals. Here are post-game notes:

TWO-AND-TWO: With the Pistons’ Game 4 win, this marks the 24th time The NBA Finals have been tied at two games apiece. Of the prior 23 times, the Game 5 winner has gone on to win The Finals 17 times (most recent: San Antonio over New Jersey in 2003). The most recent time the Game 5 loser has won The Finals (following a 2-2 tie) came in 1994, when the Houston Rockets rebounded from a Game 5 loss to defeat the New York Knicks in Games 6 and 7. Since the Finals went to the 2-3-2 format in 1985, the Game 5 winner (following a 2-2 tie) has won the Finals four out of six times (most recent: San Antonio over New Jersey in 2003).

CLEAN HANDS AWARD: Pistons’ four turnover established an all-time Finals low. . .Prior mark was five, twice (by Chicago in Game Four vs. Lakers in 1991, and by Lakers in Game Six vs. Indiana in 2000).

15 SKIDOO: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marks the fourth time in NBA Playoff history (and first time in The Finals) in which the first four games were decided by 15-plus points. Also: 2004 East Finals (Detroit-New Jersey), 1999 East First Round (Atlanta-Detroit) and 1980 East Semis (Boston-Houston).

CLEAN HANDS AWARD: The Pistons’ four turnover established an all-time Finals low. Prior mark was five, twice (by Chicago in Game Four vs. Lakers in 1991, and by Lakers in Game Six vs. Indiana in 2000).

THE HUNTER: Pistons placed seven players in double-figure scoring, with Lindsey Hunter and Chauncey Billups leading the way with 17 points each. It marked the first time Hunter led the Pistons in scoring since Feb 19, 2000 at Utah (24 pts). Pistons placed seven players in double-digit scoring once this season, in a 117-116, 2OT win over the Bobcats on Nov 21, 2004 (Hamilton 30, McDyess 24, Smush Parker 14, R. Wallace 13, Prince 12, Hunter 12, Darvin Ham 10).

ELITE COMPANY: Tonight’s Game 4 victory marked Larry Brown’s 99th career NBA Playoff coaching win, tying him with Red Auerbach (99) for third place on the all-time NBA Playoff win list. Only Phil Jackson (175) and Pat Riley (155) have won more post-season games as NBA coaches. In addition, Brown recorded 20 Playoff coaching wins in the ABA with Carolina and Denver.

MARGINS AND MORE: Tonight’s 31-point win marked the Pistons’ biggest margin of victory in the 2005 Playoffs and the third time this postseason they’ve won a game by 20-plus points. Also by 25 points over Miami in Game Six of the East Finals (91-66, June 4) and by 21 points over Philadelphia in Game One of the First Round (106-85, April 23).