Hamilton Scores 7 Late Points, Helps Pistons Edge Spurs 84-80

Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton, right, celebrates with Chauncey Billups after sinking a two-point shot and getting fouled late in the fourth quarter of their 84-80 win over the San Antonio Spurs, played Friday night.

As of late, Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton has been in a bit of a scoring funk; Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs apparently brought out the best in him as he scored 7 points in the game’s last 21 seconds, leading the Pistons to a narrow, 84-80 win over the Spurs at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The game was nip-and-tuck for one half and the vast majority of the third quarter; fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, The Spurs appeared to look tired, yet Tony Parker scored 8 points as part of a 13-0 run to take the lead - courtesy of Parker’s jumper - with 4:22 left. Both teams would exchange leads before Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace drained a jumper to put the Pistons ahead for good.

Detroit’s high scorer was Hamilton with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while Tayshaun Prince scored 17 with 5 rebounds and 6 assists. San Antonio was led by Parker with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot, while Tim Duncan scored 20 with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot. Detroit (47-18) will now travel to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Hornets Sunday while San Antonio (44-21) travels east to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers on Saturday.