Detroit Pistons took a near sight of their first title since 1990 as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 88-80 on Sunday for a 3-1 lead entering Tuesday's Game Five in the NBA Finals best-of-seven series.

Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead an inspired team effort as the Pistons took command in the fourth quarter and moved to the brink of an NBA championship with the home win.

It can also make history for Pistons Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown, who is eager to claim the first title in his 31-year coaching career with one more victory.

With three titles in the last four years and an All-Star cast led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers, however, were put in big trouble with the game, aware that no team in NBA finals history has battled back from a 3-1 deficit to claim the title.

O'Neal had 36 points and 20 rebounds while playing all but the last 36 seconds of the third quarter Sunday night.

He shot 16-of-21 from the floor in dominating the inside, but was only 4-of-11 from the line. As a team, outside of O'Neal, the Lakers were 17-of-57 including 3-of-16 from 3-point range.

While O'Neal was at his best, Kobe Bryant wasn't anywhere close for the second straight game, shooting 8-of-25 while scoring 20 points. In the Lakers' 88-68 loss in Game Three, he shot 4-of-13 for 11 points.

The All-Star guard had only two assists and no rebounds and shot just two free throws with 2:08 remaining and the Lakers trailing 83-72. He committed three turnovers.

Karl Malone played only 21 minutes, playing with what he believes to be a torn ligament in his right knee.

O'Neal and Bryant were the only Lakers to score in double figures for the fourth straight game. The reserves contributed only nine points, shooting 3-of-17.

The Lakers battled to a 22-21 first quarter lead, but the Pistons were steeled for a struggle taking a slim 41-39 advantage into the intermission.

The seesaw battle continued through three riveting quarters before the teams arrived at the final 12 minutes deadlocked at 56-56.

In the final quarter, two key three-pointers from Chauncey Billups snuffing out any Lakers comeback hopes, while another gritty team effort by the Pistons canceled out a brilliant individual performance by O'Neal.

Source: Xinhua