chrism
11-29-2009, 09:30 PM
DETROIT — Ben Wallace had 18 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, to help the undermanned Detroit Pistons end a seven-game losing streak with a 94-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Rodney Stuckey had 23 points and eight assists for Detroit, which was again without starters Richard Hamilton (ankle), Tayshaun Prince (back) and Ben Gordon (ankle). Will Bynum added 19 points off the bench.
Josh Smith led Atlanta with 21, but the Hawks couldn't overcome Detroit's 30-10 advantage in second-chance points.
The Pistons juggled their patchwork starting lineup _ replacing Austin Daye and Charlie Villanueva with Chucky Atkins and Jason Maxiell _ and the move paid off in the first half. Wallace, Jonas Jerebko and Maxiell all attacked the offensive glass, and Detroit had 17 second-choice points on their way to a 55-47 halftime lead.
Detroit expanded the margin to as many as 11 in the third, but Atlanta was within 67-65 at quarter's end. The Hawks scored the first basket of the fourth, but the Pistons responded with an 10-0 run to go up 77-67 with 7:45 left.
Atlanta narrowed the gap to 89-85 with 30 seconds to play, and after Maxiell made one of two free throws, Mike Bibby made it a two-point game with a long 3-pointer. Detroit, though, clinched the game from the line.
NOTES: Atkins hadn't started an NBA game since 2007, and hadn't started for Detroit since Nov. 30, 2002. ... Villanueva was hit in the face while being fouled with 9:30 to play, causing a nosebleed. He shot the free throws with a large wad of gauze stemming the blood flow, but then went to the locker room and did not return.
Rodney Stuckey had 23 points and eight assists for Detroit, which was again without starters Richard Hamilton (ankle), Tayshaun Prince (back) and Ben Gordon (ankle). Will Bynum added 19 points off the bench.
Josh Smith led Atlanta with 21, but the Hawks couldn't overcome Detroit's 30-10 advantage in second-chance points.
The Pistons juggled their patchwork starting lineup _ replacing Austin Daye and Charlie Villanueva with Chucky Atkins and Jason Maxiell _ and the move paid off in the first half. Wallace, Jonas Jerebko and Maxiell all attacked the offensive glass, and Detroit had 17 second-choice points on their way to a 55-47 halftime lead.
Detroit expanded the margin to as many as 11 in the third, but Atlanta was within 67-65 at quarter's end. The Hawks scored the first basket of the fourth, but the Pistons responded with an 10-0 run to go up 77-67 with 7:45 left.
Atlanta narrowed the gap to 89-85 with 30 seconds to play, and after Maxiell made one of two free throws, Mike Bibby made it a two-point game with a long 3-pointer. Detroit, though, clinched the game from the line.
NOTES: Atkins hadn't started an NBA game since 2007, and hadn't started for Detroit since Nov. 30, 2002. ... Villanueva was hit in the face while being fouled with 9:30 to play, causing a nosebleed. He shot the free throws with a large wad of gauze stemming the blood flow, but then went to the locker room and did not return.