Auburn Hills, MI (Betting Express) The Detroit Pistons try to pull even in their best-of-seven series with the Orlando Magic when the two teams square off tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Orlando captured the first game of the series 99-94. The Magic knew if they were going to pull off an upset over the disciplined Pistons, they were going to have to be carried on the shoulders of Tracy McGrady.

Fighting his chronic back spasms and a lingering rib cage injury, McGrady single-handedly drove a stake through the Pistons collective hearts. McGrady finished with 43 points in the victory.

"This guy is arguably the best player on the planet," Detroit coach Rick Carlisle said. "We know that, and we know he is going to score some points and do some spectacular things. But if he goes for 40-plus in every game, it's going to be really hard for us."

Carlisle tried to slow down McGrady with six different players, to no avail. Michael Curry, Richard Hamilton, Corliss Williamson, Jon Barry, Chauncey Billups and finally Clifford Robinson all tried and failed to contain McGrady. Using Robinson later in the game at least kept him out of the post, but his jump shot was falling which makes him virtually unstoppable.

For the Pistons, Hamilton scored 28 points and Billups added 21. Robinson chipped in with 19 points and Ben Wallace had 13 rebounds, seven points and three blocks. Wallace played 42 minutes after returning from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Orlando rookie Drew Gooden was the perfect complement to McGrady. Gooden scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the victory.

Detroit has lost three of its last four home playoff games entering tonight's action.