The Detroit Pistons had more trouble with a morning trade than an evening game.
The Pistons didn’t need Chauncey Billups or Antonio McDyess on the court, but they were missed in the locker room. Detroit overcame its disappointment over the loss of those two veteran leaders by beating the Charlotte Bobcats 101-83.
Allen Iverson is on the way after a blockbuster trade with Denver, but the focus Monday was on who was leaving.
“It was a tough game,” coach Michael Curry said. “When your captain gets traded and Dice, who’s not a captain, but is one of the emotional leaders of this team, it’s a tough day for the guys.”
Richard Hamilton scored 19 points and the Pistons toyed with former coach Larry Brown’s Bobcats, improving to 3-0. Hamilton didn’t feel like celebrating – even after receiving a contract extension Monday – and his teammates didn’t seem excited, either.
y. Under the circumstances I thought it was a good win. No matter who you play, when something happens like this it’s tough for the team to go out and play. We were able to come out with a win.”
In other games, it was: Orlando 96, Chicago 93; Philadelphia 125, Sacramento 91; Memphis 90, Golden State 79; Cleveland 100, Dallas 81; and Utah 89, the Los Angeles Clippers 73.
Rasheed Wallace added 15 points and four other Pistons scored in double figures. Rodney Stuckey replaced the departed Billups at point guard and had nine points and three assists as Detroit shot 50 percent.
The Pistons could be even better when Iverson arrives, likely Wednesday in Toronto. Or, maybe they’ll be worse.
“Do we like the trade? Maybe not. Ain’t no telling,” Wallace said.
Reserve Shannon Brown scored 16 points, and Gerald Wallace had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, which couldn’t build off Saturday’s win over Miami in the beginning of a week of reunions for the well-traveled Larry Brown, who has his own problems.
Brown, who has lamented managing partner Michael Jordan’s inability to bring in more depth up front, was clearly frustrated after being overmatched by the team he led to an NBA title in 2004.
Garden on Wednesday night for the first time since going 23-59 with the New York Knicks in 2005-06.
Hamilton agreed to a three-year contract extension worth about $34 million, a basketball official told The Associated Press. The three-time All-Star didn’t speak to reporters after the game.
Cavaliers 100, Mavericks 81
LeBron James snapped a third-quarter tie with a flying rebound-layup, then Mo Williams broke things open early in the fourth. James was only 8-of-20, but he scored 29 points and took over when his team needed it.
Dirk Nowitzki was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting as the Mavericks fell to 0-2 at home. Their only lead was 2-0, on a jumper by Nowitzki. Josh Howard led the Mavs with 18 points.
Magic 96, Bulls 93
Dwight Howard had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Orlando held off visiting Chicago after Andres Nocioni’s missed 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Rashard Lewis finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Magic wiped out an early nine-point deficit and led by as many as 17.
Drew Gooden led Chicago with 21 points, Nocioni added 20 and Ben Gordon 17.
Jazz 89, Clippers 73
Paul Millsap scored 15 of his 24 points during a decisive 17-3 run in the fourth quarter, and unbeaten Utah beat winless Los Angeles.
15 points and 11 rebounds, and Carlos Boozer added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz (3-0). Millsap also had nine rebounds, leading the Jazz to a 44-38 advantage on the boards.
Chris Kaman led the host Clippers (0-4) with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Baron Davis, returning to action after missing two games because of a sore left hip, had 14 points and nine assists. Marcus Camby had five points and nine rebounds in his debut with the Clippers.
Grizzlies 90, Warriors 79
Marc Gasol had 27 points and 16 rebounds to help Memphis improve to 2-0 at home.
Gasol went 9-for-11 from both the field and the free throw line for Memphis, which ended a seven-game skid in the series against Golden State. The rookie also blocked three shots.
Andris Biedrins had 16 points and 22 rebounds for Golden State. Stephen Jackson finished with 17 points and Corey Maggette scored 13 despite sitting out the second quarter with an injury.
76ers 125, Kings 91
Thaddeus Young scored 18 points, Lou Williams had 17 and Philadelphia routed winless Sacramento.
Willie Green scored 16 points and Elton Brand had 15 for the Sixers, who were up 20 points at halftime and were able to stretch the lead in the second half instead of blowing it like they did Saturday at Atlanta.
es had 15 for the Kings (0-4), who can’t wait to head home after a dreary season-opening road trip. The Kings start a four-game homestand on Wednesday against Memphis.
Add A Comment