The Detroit Pistons' crippling defense has shut down the Los Angeles Lakers in an 88-68 rout and a 2-1 series lead in the NBA final.

　　Game Three of the best-of-seven series began with worrying questions about how Detroit would respond to a crushing overtime loss to the Lakers in Game Two. But any concerns over the lingering affects of the stunning collapse were quickly erased as the Pistons, feeding off the energy of a raucous sell-out crowd of 22,000 at the Auburn Hills Palace, took control from the opening tip-off and never trailed.

　　Playing the tenacious defense that has become their trademark, the Pistons defused the Lakers two biggest weapons Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal handing Los Angeles one of their most embarrassing defeats in franchise history.

　　The 68 points scored by the Lakers were their fewest ever in an NBA playoff game and the third lowest finals total in the shot clock era.

　　The Pistons will now have a chance to win the championship at home with Game Four scheduled for Sunday followed by Game Five on Tuesday both at the Palace. (Photo Source: AP/Reuters)