The Pistons were true to their word. Gone were the missed shots, the standing around on offense, and the inability to hold on to a big halftime lead.

The Pistons were a different team while dismantling the Sixers, 105-88, last night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The best-of-seven series, tied at one game apiece, moves to Philadelphia for the next two games, beginning tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center.

The Sixers did not begin to resemble the team that stunned Detroit, 90-86, on Sunday. Their free-flowing movement on offense was gone.

The Pistons hopelessly clanged shots off the rim Sunday, but made them with regularity in Game 2.

Apparently, Flip Saunders' squad was not buying into the theory that it looked like an old, tired team Sunday. Detroit played with vigor, while the Sixers simply fizzled out.

"I knew they would come back the way they came back," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. "We talked about getting guys ready to understand that it would be another level."

The Sixers trailed by 53-36 at halftime and had just one fastbreak point at intermission. In Game 1, they faced a 51-38 halftime deficit, but this time the Pistons did not relent.

By the end of the third quarter, the Pistons led by 84-62, assuring the Sixers of a trip back to Auburn Hills for Game 5 on Tuesday.

"We moved a lot better, didn't stand around and watch each other, and were much more aggressive offensively and defensively," Saunders said. "We looked like we had better legs."

And a better shooting touch.

The Pistons connected on 45 of 82 shots. Coatesville's Richard Hamilton, who was 5 for 17 in the first game, had a game high of 20 points and shot 9 for 16.

Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess, a collective 7 for 22 in Game 1, were 15 for 27, with each scoring 16 points.

The Pistons also were successful in trapping point guard Andre Miller, who had 14 points and three assists.

Miller acknowledged that the strategy was successful.

"I think they were effective, but I think we didn't get in the right places for outlets when traps like that happened," Miller said. "It weighs on you with guys hawking you up and down the court, and we have to be ready for that next game."

What the Sixers also have to worry about is the psyche of swingman Andre Iguodala, who experienced his second straight subpar shooting game.

Last night, Iguodala was scoreless at halftime and finished with four points, shooting 1 for 9 from the field. That made him 5 for 24 in the two games.

It was his lowest scoring output of the season.

"We have to get Andre better shots," Cheeks said.

Much of the credit for Iguodala's shooting woes should go to the long-armed Prince.

Considered one of the best defensive players in the NBA, the 6-foot-9 Prince made Iguodala shoot over his looping arms, putting more of an arch on his shot. Moreover, Prince has limited Iguodala's drives to the basket.

"If you get one inch by him, they have another guy stepping up and are defensively sound," Iguodala said.

Center Samuel Dalembert is in the same tenuous position as Iguodala, having shot 3 for 16 in the two games. Dalembert was again soundly outplayed by Rasheed Wallace, who had 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in just under 27 minutes.

Even the fans, who were playfully riding Cheeks all game, got the better of the banter in Game 2.

"Hey, Mo, you may need to lace them up," one fan said.

Cheeks had no comeback. And on this night, neither did his team.