NJ shoots 9-for-33; Pistons go 15-for-32

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- New Jersey and Detroit played the lowest-scoring first half in NBA playoff history Monday night, combining for just 62 points as the Pistons held a 37-25 lead at halftime.

The old record of 63 combined points had been reached three times, most recently in Game 3 of the NBA Finals last June when San Antonio led New Jersey 33-30 at halftime.

New Jersey shot just 9-for-33 from the field (27 percent) and committed nine turnovers, scoring 14 points in the opening quarter and 11 in the second period. Starters Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson were both 1-for-5 from the field, and reserve Rodney Rogers was 0-for-5.

Detroit shot a respectable 47 percent (15-for-32) but committed eight turnovers, including three 24-second violations in the first quarter.

The record for fewest points in any half of a playoff game (since the inception of the shot clock in 1954-55) is 60, set in the second half of an Atlanta-New York game in 1999 and matched three years later by Boston and Detroit.

The regular-season record for fewest combined points at halftime is 57. The record for any half is 51.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press

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