Pistons Win 8th Straight, Slip Past Pacers 98-92

Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton, left, is defended by Indiana Pacers guard Kareem Rush during the fourth quarter of their game, played Saturday night. Hamilton scored 24 points, leading Detroit to the win over Indiana 98-92.

Tonight’s game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers - a rematch from last night - could honestly be called a close game in every sense of the word. Neither team shot especially well (Detroit at 43.8%, Indiana at 43.2%), and Indiana had a slight rebounding edge (44-38). But balanced scoring by the Pistons, led by Richard Hamilton, made it posible for Detroit to escape with a 98-92 win.

The first half was a battle of attrition, as there were nine ties and 6 lead changes; Detroit took a 44-40 lead on Jason Maxiell’s 2 free throws. Indiana opened a 50-48 lead late in the first half, but Detroit would score the next 4 points and take into halftime a 52-51 edge. The Pistons would gain their biggest advantage of the third quarter, 74-67, following a 3-pointer by Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey with 1:32 left in the quarter.

Behind by 6 points, Indiana go to within 86-85 following Danny Granger’s trey with 5:43 left in the game; after both teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, Detroit manufactured a small 6-0 run to open up a 96-89 lead on a 3-pointer by Hamilton; the Pistons would cling to the lead till the final buzzer. Detroit was led by Hamilton with 24 points, while Chauncey Billups pitched in with 17; Rasheed Wallace recorded a double-double by scoring 10 and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Indiana’s high scorer was Jermaine O’Neal with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots; Mike Dunleavy added 18 with 5 boards and 2 assists, while Granger chipped in with 15. Detroit (23-7), winners of 8 straight, look to continue that streak when they host the Milwaukee Bucks Monday afternoon; Indiana (15-16), losers of 3 straight, hope to snap that slump when they fly to North Carolina to take on the Charlotte Bobcats - also on Monday.