Nets not ready for Detroit ‘D’

New Jersey scores just 56 points as Pistons cruise

? Detroit’s defense was so dominant, it was almost offensive — at least to those who believe basketball should be about scoring points.

The New Jersey Nets found out that this year’s series against the Pistons will be nothing like last year’s.

Holding the Nets to the second-lowest point total in NBA playoff history, the Pistons defeated New Jersey, 78-56, on Monday night in a Game 1 that featured the lowest-scoring first half ever in a postseason game.

“We wanted to come out and make a statement,” Detroit’s Richard Hamilton said.

And that statement was this: Go ahead and try to score.

The Nets couldn’t come up with an answer, scoring only 25 points in the first half and 39 through three quarters. Only reserve Tamar Slay’s jumper with 42 seconds left allowed New Jersey to avoid tying the lowest playoff total in league history — 54 points by Utah against Chicago during the 1998 NBA Finals.

“It was almost like we thought we were playing a different game — where the lowest score wins,” Jason Kidd said.

The loss snapped New Jersey’s streak of 14 consecutive postseason victories against Eastern Conference teams since last April. Included was a sweep against the Pistons in the conference finals last season.

“The whole Eastern Conference needed this,” Detroit coach Larry Brown said. “It’s unbelievable what they have done.”

Detroit's Lindsey Hunter passes around New Jersey's Aaron Williams, rear, in the second quarter. The Pistons beat the Nets, 78-56, Monday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Nets now have until Game 2 on Friday night to figure a way to solve Detroit’s defense.

Tayshaun Price had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Hamilton also scored 15, and Ben Wallace had 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Detroit outrebounded the Nets 48-29.

New Jersey shot just 27.1 percent and tied the postseason record for fewest field goals — 19 — in what was easily its worst offensive performance of the season.

The teams combined for just 62 points as the Pistons held a 37-25 halftime lead. The old record of 63 was reached three times, most recently in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in June when San Antonio led the Nets 33-30 at halftime.

Kenyon Martin scored just 11 for the Nets, 12 below his playoff average. Richard Jefferson had eight after missing 11 of 12 shots.

“I’m a 50-percent shooter for my career, so 1-of-12 is absurd,” Jefferson said. “It’s unbelievable almost. But give them credit, it was one of those nights.”