The Detroit Pistons Saturday lost backup center Zeljko Rebraca to a broken hand during practice, the team keeping it quiet until Sunday morning.  Rebraca, the blonde-haired European sensation who looked very good at points throughout the season, was hit on the hand when going for a layup during a brief scrimmage.

"We wanted to wait until we got the final results of the medical tests," said John Hammond, Pistons director of player personnel.

"It just happened," was all Rebraca would say about it, while coach Rick Carlisle added "It was just an unlucky thing that happened in practice, and it certainly makes it tougher for us."

Rebraca is expected to miss the remainder of the series and according to NBA rules the Pistons are unable to replace him on the roster, meaning they must go with 11 players.

"We are without a 7-0 guy who can play, so that's going to make it harder," Carlisle said. "But we can't worry about that. It's an unlucky break for us, but we have to find other ways to get it done."