Jameer Nelson is sticking to his guarantee. The Detroit Pistons don't blame him.

Shortly after going down, 3-1, in the second round in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Orlando's point guard said the Magic would go on the road and beat Detroit to extend the series.

"What am I supposed to do? Guarantee a loss?" Nelson asked yesterday. "We've got to win the game. We have the confidence that we can do it. I believe it."

"He doesn't have anything to lose by saying that," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said. "One thing he's probably trying to do is spark his club."

Detroit might be without Chauncey Billups (hamstring) when it plays host to Game 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich.

Guard Kobe Bryant met the media yesterday with an electronic stimulating device hooked up to his sore lower back. Bryant tweaked his back in the opening minutes of a 123-115 overtime loss at Utah Sunday that tied this Western Conference semifinal series, 2-2.

"It's pretty sore right now," Bryant said. "I don't know how I made it through the game, to be honest with you."

The teams play Game 5 in the best-of-seven series tomorrow night. Bryant said he was just glad Game 5 wasn't being played today.

Bryant and Kevin Garnett of the Celtics were selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team, along with the Nuggets' Marcus Camby, and the Spurs' Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan.