Nelson believes in Magic

ORLANDO, FLA. -- His team backed into a 3-1 corner in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson guaranteed a Magic victory when the series returns to Detroit on Tuesday.

"We're going to make some adjustments and we're going to win this game," Nelson said after Orlando's 90-89 loss on Saturday. "I'm not being arrogant or cocky or anything like that. I think (Saturday) we let it slip out of our hands. Game 2 we let it slip out of our hands. We're going to win this game in Detroit."

That's a tall order for a Magic team that couldn't even the series at home despite a 15-point, third-quarter lead against a Pistons team that had All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups sitting on the bench in a sport coat. Even so, Orlando remains optimistic.

"Devastating is the fourth loss in a series. It's a bad loss but it's not devastating," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "The series goes on."

Not for much longer if the Magic can't get Dwight Howard on track. After becoming the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to record three 20-point, 20-rebound games in a series during the first round against Toronto, the Magic's 22-year-old All-Star has struggled. He had just eight points Saturday -- all but two of them in the first quarter -- with Detroit's veteran front line tugging persistently on Superman's cape.

"He couldn't get in there and get the easy buckets that he wanted," said Pistons center Rasheed Wallace, who along with Antonio McDyess and Jason Maxiell have banged Howard around all series. "We definitely saw that. That is what we want -- we want a physical game. That's right up our alley."