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Pistons all-stars too hot for Hawks

Posted on: Wednesday, 22 February 2006, 00:32 CST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Richard Hamilton scored 24 points to help the Detroit Pistons open the post All-Star Game schedule with a 97-87 win over the Atlanta Hawks in National Basketball Association play on Tuesday in Auburn Hills.

Rasheed Wallace added 21 points and hauled down 12 rebounds for the Pistons, who improved their record to 43-9, the best in the NBA.

The Pistons were led by their four all-stars, who helped the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference in the annual game on Sunday, pulling away in the third quarter after leading by just two points at the half.

Chaunncey Billups added 19 points and dished out 15 assists for the Pistons, while Ben Wallace had nine points, 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Hamilton, Billups and the two Wallaces played in the all-star game for Detroit, which won its second straight.

Tayshaun Prince, the only Pistons starter not to play in Houston, chipped in with 14 points for Detroit.

But the Pistons needed all five of their starters to contribute to beat the stubborn Hawks, as Detroit got only 10 points from its bench.

"I thought we executed when we needed to, in the second half" Detroit coach Flip Saunders told reporters.

Saunders coached his four starters in the All-Star Game and told reporters his team were a little out of synch after playing for the first time since the break.

Al Harrington led the Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but Atlanta slipped to 16-35 after winning five of their previous eight games.

Josh Childress added 18 points for the Hawks, while Josh Smith had 10 points and 15 rebounds.

"We played solid, but we made a few mistakes," Childress told reporters.

"They are a veteran team with a lot of experience and if you make mistakes against them, they will hurt you."

The Pistons took an 11-point lead after three quarters and stretched that lead to 19 points in the fourth quarter before coasting to victory.

In Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Hornets 97-75.

In Cleveland, Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds to help the Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 105-92.

LeBron James added 26 points for the Cavaliers.

Dwight Howard scored 23 points and had 14 rebounds and Steve Francis added 13 points for the Magic.

In Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 34 points in the Wizards' 90-78 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In Memphis, Pau Gasol scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Toronto Raptors 94-88.

In Milwaukee, Vince Carter starred with 45 points and Jason Kidd added 12 points, 12 rebounds and had 13 assists for a triple double to lead the New Jersey Nets to an 89-85 victory over the Bucks.

(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto)

Source: REUTERS

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