ORLANDO, Florida (AFP) - Rashard Lewis scored 33 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 111-86 victory over the short-handed Detroit Pistons Wednesday in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Dwight Howard added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Pistons in the postseason.

With the victory in the Eastern Conference second-round matchup, Orlando narrowed the gap in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.

The Magic made the most of the absence of Chauncey Billups, who left the game early in the first quarter after straining his right hamstring. Detroit's Billups was hurt when he got tangled up with Magic guard Jameer Nelson, and his status for game four on Saturday was uncertain.

Rookie Rodney Stuckey played well in the All-Star point guard's absence, netting 19 points for the Pistons, who trailed 30-16 after the opening period and never recovered.