Orlando, Fla. ? Orlando is beating the Detroit Pistons at their own game — aggressive, physical defense.

Detroit rode its league-leading defense to the Eastern Conference’s best record, but offensive woes have put it in a 2-1 hole in the first-round series. Run ragged on the perimeter and bounced around inside, the Pistons are shooting less than 38 percent — 26 percent on three-pointers — and their point production has dropped every game: 94, 89 and 80.

“During the regular season, you really wouldn’t think that Orlando is a physical team,” said Detroit forward Ben Wallace, who has missed 13 of 19 shots. “But during the playoffs, everyone has to step up and the playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular season. Orlando’s done a great job of making it a physical series, and we’ve accepted that challenge. We just have to find a way to get past that and get some wins.”

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is this afternoon in Orlando.

Orlando earned a reputation during the season as soft team, giving up an average of 98.4 points on 46 percent shooting. But the Magic have clamped down, and the Pistons are having trouble getting off good shots.

“I think it is easier to pick up defensive intensity,” Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. “But, a lot of teams would argue that if you’re not a good defensive team, you’re not going to be one in the playoffs.”

Of course, that argument can be used for offense, too. Detroit is struggling following a season where its scoring and shooting ranked close to the bottom in the league.

Detroit fell apart in the final three quarters of its 89-80 loss Friday in Game 3, as it shot 32 percent with 15 turnovers en route to its 11th straight road loss in the postseason. Things were so bad, the Pistons outscored Orlando by only a point in the last period despite holding the Magic to two field goals.

“We got too stagnant at times, too bogged down,” Detroit coach Rick Carlisle said.

Too easy to read as well, said guard Chauncey Billups.

“They’re getting some easy baskets and keeping us off guard, and we’re not doing that,” Billups said. “We talked about it, how we can try to open it up a little bit, try to get some easy baskets and not be so predictable.”

Carlisle said better ball movement would lead to a better offense.