Exit the Orlando Magic in a puff of smoke.

Chauncey Billups scored 25 points and Richard Hamilton 19 as the Detroit Pistons, looking every bit a legitimate threat for another NBA title, beat the Magic 97-93 on Saturday afternoon, wrapping up their Eastern Conference quarter-final in four straight.

Detroit guard Chauncey Billups drives around Orlando Magic guard Keyon Dooling during the second half of the Pistons' series-clinching win.
(John Raoux/Associated Press)

It was Detroit's first sweep since winning the championship in 1990, but at least Orlando decided to go out battling.

Trailing by nine as the fourth quarter settled in, the Magic closed down defensively and went on a run that found them up 85-80 with three minutes to go.

That was as close to a win in this series as the home side could get, however. Detroit roared back and closed out the proceedings thanks to Billups and Hamilton, who combined for the Pistons' last 12 points.

"The one thing we had such a big advantage on them is experience," said Billups. "And the only way you can get better at that is to go through it.

"I'm sure there are a lot of things they would change coming down the stretch."

With Orlando having to foul in the late going, Billups and Hamilton went a combined six-for-six from the free-throw line in the final seconds.

Dwight Howard led the Magic with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Grant Hill contributed 17 points and Darko Milicic tossed in 14, most of them in the clutch.

"I thought we would at least get [one] game," said Hill. "Getting swept, that was a surprise."

For Detroit, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace each had 13.

The Pistons will likely face Chicago in the next round as the Bulls lead the Miami Heat 3-0, and no team has ever come back from that deficit to win a series.

With files from the Associated Press