AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-The Detroit Pistons figured out how to win a Game 2.

Tayshaun Prince scored 22 points and Chauncey Billups had 20 to lead Detroit to a 109-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks last night, and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

The two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Pistons had lost three straight Game 2s and four of their last five, dating to the 2004 NBA Finals. Before that stretch, Detroit lost to Milwaukee two years ago in the second game of their first-round series en route to the title.

Detroit appeared motivated from the start, a bad sign for the Bucks, and a 12-0 run midway through the second quarter gave the Pistons a cushion they maintained for the rest of the night.

Bucks star Michael Redd bounced back from an 11-point game with 29, but didn’t get much help in the first half as Milwaukee’s other starters each scored six or fewer points before halftime.

Richard Hamilton, who left Game 1 with a sprained left ankle, had 18 points and eight assists in 33 minutes. He started and had eight points in 10 minutes before going to the sideline after the Pistons said he aggravated his injury. Hamilton had the lower part of his left leg wrapped in the third quarter.

Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Lindsey Hunter (10) and Antonio McDyess (13) added scoring punch off the bench.

Milwaukee reserve guard Maurice Williams limped off the court late in the third quarter after turning an ankle, depleting a team already without backup forward Toni Kukoc because of back spasms.

Milwaukee’s T.J. Ford had 17, reserve Charlie Bell scored 11 and Andrew Bogut, the first overall pick last year, added eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Pistons displayed their balance from the start, with each starter scoring to give them a 10-5 lead. They led 32-23 after the first quarter.

Milwaukee went on a 12-2 run – led by Bell’s eight points – early in the second quarter to pull within two, only to have its hopes dashed quickly by Detroit’s 12 unanswered points, with eight from reserve Maurice Evans, who didn’t play in Game 1.

With four double-figure scorers, the Pistons led 61-48 at halftime.

Detroit led by as much as 19 points midway through the third quarter before Bobby Simmons joined Redd as the only double-figure scorer for the Bucks, helping them pull within 12.The Pistons started the final quarter ahead 92-75.