Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Recent sluggish starts worrisome
With the regular season rapidly coming to a close, the Pistons are working on improving their starts.

TONIGHT: RAPTORS
Injuries: Detroit -- G Chucky Atkins (knee), out. Toronto -- G Lindsey Hunter (back, hip), out; F Antonio Davis (groin), F Chris Jeffries (illness), questionable.

Monday, March 31, 2003

Ex-Kings halt Sacramento run
Jon Barry and Corliss Williamson had seen this act before and had seen enough.

Pistons end frustrations vs. Sacramento
Chris Webber is now 7-1 against the Pistons as a member of the Sacramento Kings.

Saturday, March 29, 2003

Pistons fall to Marbury, Suns, 94-91
The Pistons struggled down the stretch and lost their eighth home game of the season, 94-91, Friday night to Phoenix.

Rip still working on three-pointers
Richard Hamilton has attempted just three three-pointers in the past five games, including two Friday night against Phoenix. He missed all three.

Friday, March 28, 2003

Bigger lineup is better for Carlisle
When the Pistons have gotten into trouble lately, going big has gone over well.

Freep Freebies
The final Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Wednesday, when the first 10,000 fans at the Pistons-Toronto game will get Richard Hamilton talking bobblehead dolls. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.

TONIGHT: SUNS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), G Pepe Sanchez (patella tendinitis), injured list; G Chucky Atkins (knee), out. Phoenix -- F Alton Ford (back), C Chris Dudley (back), G Randy Brown (calf), injured list.

Thursday, March 27, 2003

Carlisle: Chauncey never thinks failure
What does it take to step up in a tie game and calmly sink a three-pointer in overtime after playing the entire second half and overtime?

CHAUNCEY IN THE CLUTCH
Pistons guard Chauncey Billups made another clutch shot Wednesday. His previous three-pointers of note:

EASTERN FRONT

Pistons clinch playoff spot on dramatic trey
With the game on the line, you knew Chauncey Billups was going to take the last shot.

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

Club leery of foes coming to Palace
When they play teams with nothing to lose, like Atlanta tonight, the Pistons have to avoid getting ambushed, especially at home.

Tuesday, March 25, 2003

Glamorous no, but Wallace is valuable
Is Pistons forward Ben Wallace a legitimate candidate for NBA most valuable player? Yes.

Monday, March 24, 2003

Buffing up helps Billups' defense
Chauncey Billups hopes Richard Hamilton joins him in the weight room this summer.

EASTERN RACE

TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB
1.Detroit	44	25	.638	--
2.New	Jersey	42	28	.600	21/2
3.Philadelphia	41	28	.594	3
4.Indiana	41	29	.586	31/2
5.New	Orleans	40	31	.563	5
6.Boston	38	32	.543	61/2

Pistons roll past Chicago
In the wacky world of the Eastern Conference, the Pistons lost to the New York Knicks on Friday, the Knicks lost to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday and the lowly Bulls lost to the Pistons on Sunday, 105-82, before a crowd of 20,415 at the Palace.

Saturday, March 22, 2003

Billups' game hits a hiccup in defeat
The Pistons' starting point guard had averaged 26.4 points in nine games this month before being held to 10 in the 97-94 loss to the Knicks. Instead it was his backcourt mate, Richard Hamilton, who shined offensively with 27 points, 10 above his March average.

Pistons can't stop Knicks in 97-93 loss
NEW YORK -- Once again, the Knicks spoiled the Pistons' shot at a Garden party.

Friday, March 21, 2003

BEST IN THE EAST
The Pistons remain No. 1 in the Eastern Conference after their victory over the 76ers. The top five in the East:

Free Press freebies
The final Pistons bobblehead giveaway is April 2, when the first 10,000 fans at the Pistons-Toronto game will get Richard Hamilton talking bobblehead dolls. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.

Pistons dump Philadelphia, 113-85
The Pistons crushed Philadelphia on Thursday night to take a comfortable three-game lead over the 76ers atop the Eastern Conference.

Players offer their support, prayers
Several Pistons watched the early developments of the war against Saddam Hussein on television Wednesday night. Most said they just wanted a safe return for the American troops.

TONIGHT: KNICKS
Tip-off: Pistons vs. New York, 8, Madison Square Garden.

TV/radio: Channel 50 in Detroit; WDFN-AM (1130).

Line: Knicks by 1.

Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), F Don Reid (Achilles), G Pepe Sanchez (knee), injured list. New York -- G Lavor Postell (knee), F Mark Pope (back), F Antonio McDyess (knee), injured list.

Overview: Former Pistons guard Allan Houston averages a team-high 22.9 points for the Knicks, and guard Howard Eisely (Detroit Southwestern) averages 9.1 points and a team-high 5.5 assists.

Thursday, March 20, 2003

Robinson's shooting has fallen off a cliff
A date tonight with the Philadelphia 76ers might just be what Cliff Robinson needs.

TONIGHT: 76ERS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), injured list. Philadelphia -- F Derrick Coleman (hand), probable. F Sam Clancy (knee), C Samuel Dalembert (knee), C Todd MacCulloch (nerve disorder), injured list.

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

BEST IN THE EAST
The Pistons remain No. 1 in the Eastern Conference after their victory over the Wizards. The top five in the East:

OK IN OT: Hamilton finds stroke just in time in Pistons win over Washington, 94-90
WASHINGTON -- After firing so many errant shots in regulation with his team on the brink of a seventh straight road loss, Richard Hamilton blossomed.

Wallace maintains 20-board streak
WASHINGTON -- For the fourth straight game, Ben Wallace grabbed 20 rebounds Tuesday night.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Rebraca hopes to be back for playoffs
Zeljko Rebraca would like to play the last four or five games of the regular season, but no determination has been made by Pistons management as the backup center tries to get in shape.

TONIGHT: WIZARDS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), G Chucky Atkins (knee), injured list. Washington -- F Jared Jeffries (knee), C Etan Thomas (left eye socket), injured list.

Monday, March 17, 2003

As Billups surges, Hamilton slumps
Chauncey Billups was spectacular in scoring 33 points and outdueling Kobe Bryant in a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and scoring 25 in Friday's win over Washington. But Richard Hamilton went through streaks of 0-for-15 and 0-for-10 from the field before making three of his final five shots in Saturday night's 81-71 setback to the Boston Celtics.

Saturday, March 15, 2003

Jordan's farewell spoiled by Pistons
Michael Jordan's final regular-season appearance at the Palace was fitting in some ways Friday night.

Stackhouse smells playoffs at Palace
Remember how happy Jerry Stackhouse was when he helped the Pistons win the Central Division title at the Palace last season?

Fans bid farewell to MJ at Palace
The lights were low. The first four Washington starters had been announced. The P.A. guy said, "And now . . . "

Free Press freebies
Jeremy Hawver of Allen Park and Christina Kokenos of St. Clair Shores are the lucky winners of the Free Press' giveaway of two signed Richard Hamilton bobbleheads.

MJ IN MOTOWN
Michael Jordan is 33-30 vs. the Pistons. Here's a look at how he fared in his first game and his last game in Detroit.

Friday, March 14, 2003

Even at 40, Jordan commands respect
At 40, Michael Jordan still excels against the greatest basketball players in the world. Is that an indictment of the game today, or was he so superior in his prime that he intimidates opponents sometimes 20 years younger?

Okur good pupil of Robinson, Wallace
In his rookie season, Mehmet Okur has endeared himself to his teammates almost daily.

HIS AIRNESS VS. DETROIT

G	FG	3PT	FT	REB	AST	ST	PTS
62	47.0	26.5	83.6	6.6	5.4	2.2	29.9

TONIGHT: WIZARDS
Overview: The Wizards earned their second victory in six games when they squeezed past Orlando, 106-105, Tuesday night. They're a half-game back of Milwaukee for the eighth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Washington is a desperate team, and while Michael Jordan criticizes his teammates' lack of hustle, former Piston Jerry Stackhouse can't understand why he isn't getting the ball more.

Thursday, March 13, 2003

Carlisle credits aide for defense
Coach Rick Carlisle tried to give assistant Kevin O'Neill some praise for the defensive effort Wednesday night against the Lakers.

MITCH ALBOM: What in the name of guard: Billups out-Kobes Kobe
He was not the most famous guard on the floor Wednesday night. That distinction belonged to a guy named Kobe. You know Kobe? Best player in the NBA these days? Speaks Italian? Scores 40 points the way Sergei Fedorov skates a circle?

Pistons, fans enjoy rout of Lakers
It has happened rarely, if ever, this season, but Kobe Bryant got torched Wednesday night at the Palace.

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

IT'S SHOWTIME!
Matchup: Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers. When: 7:30 tonight. Where: Palace. TV: Channel 50. Line: Lakers by 2 1/2.

KOBE AND SHAQ

Pistons face heavy duty vs. Lakers
So what's it like for Cliff Robinson, Ben Wallace or Mehmet Okur to push against Shaquille O'Neal in the post?

Two more years for Pistons' Robinson
Time and again, Cliff Robinson has been the answer for the Pistons. They looked to him when they needed a reliable big man to come off the bench, they looked to him when the starting unit needed an offensive boost, and they look to him when a game is on the line and they are desperate for a basket or a huge defensive stop.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

Billups becomes maker of big shots
Ben Wallace knew better. While several of his teammates threw themselves wildly at Chauncey Billups to celebrate his buzzer-beating three-pointer, Wallace remained calm.

Monday, March 10, 2003

Freep Freebies
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Saturday, when the first 10,000 fans at the Pistons-Celtics game will get Richard Hamilton dolls.

Hamilton happy despite off night
As Chauncey Billups scored 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting, his backcourt mate experienced an evening opposite.

Sweet revenge: Billups three-pointer avenges Pistons' close loss to Warriors
Chauncey Billups got it for the Pistons when he nailed a 28-foot three-pointer at the buzzer for a 107-105 victory over Golden State on Sunday night at the Palace.

Saturday, March 8, 2003

Billups needs little help from backups
Chauncey Billups is setting a high standard for starting players. He has played the past three games without being spelled by his top backup, and has turned in numbers nothing short of dreamy.

Friday, March 7, 2003

Procedure could fix Rebraca's heart
A University of Michigan doctor said a procedure to correct Zeljko Rebraca's irregular heartbeat would take about three hours and put Rebraca at just one percent risk of a complication.

Thursday, March 6, 2003

Curry not to blame for offensive funk
At various points in Tuesday's game against Houston, a Pistons forward popped in a lay-up, sank three jumpers and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line.

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

HOME REMEDY: Palace breaks seven-game losing spell
Coming home cured some of the Pistons' ills Tuesday night as they ended a seven-game losing streak with a 96-83 victory over Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets before a capacity crowd at the Palace.

MITCH ALBOM: Yao wows us, and he has room to grow
I mean, Yao Ming didn't control that opening jump, he knocked it into next season. If that ball were lettuce, it would be salad. If that ball were a balloon, it would land in Oz. If that ball were . . .

Sixth medicine tried for Rebraca
Zeljko Rebraca said he would try a sixth medication before deciding the next move in his saga to get back in the Pistons' lineup. Rebraca, who met with reporters before Tuesday night's game against Houston, has an irregular heartbeat and hasn't played since Dec. 21. He has taken medication, but nothing has worked.

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

A slam dunk for Chinese: NBA phenom draws Asian fans to Palace
They will descend upon the Palace of Auburn Hills by the thousands, waving signs, snapping pictures, cheering for a national treasure.

MICHAEL ROSENBERG: If Yao can show humanity amid celebrity, he'll really take off
If you lined up the 10 starters in tonight's Pistons-Rockets game by scoring average, Yao Ming would be fifth.

NBA ROUNDUP: Clippers fire former Pistons coach Gentry
LOS ANGELES -- Coach Alvin Gentry was fired by the Los Angeles Clippers during a disappointing third season Monday and was replaced by assistant Dennis Johnson.

PISTONS-ROCKETS
Matchup: Pistons vs. Houston Rockets.

Tip-off: 7:30 tonight, Palace.

TV: Channel 50.

BY THE NUMBERS

SING ALONG
"It's a Ming Thing" was written by Houston residents and Rockets fans Chance McClain and Kevin Ryan. It is sung to the tune of an old soccer anthem, "Ole, Ole, Ole."

Team denies report Rebraca is through
The Pistons spent most of Monday putting out fires spread by reporters in Serbia-Montenegro, formerly Yugoslavia, from where the team's 7-foot backup center hails.

Yao copes well with blastoff year
HOUSTON -- Yao Ming sat at his locker Sunday night, chair tilted back at a familiar 45-degree angle, eyes rolled toward the ceiling in a blend of weariness and frustration. His knees were bumped and bruised, remnants of a battle with 7-foot-6 Shawn Bradley more than a week ago.

Monday, March 3, 2003

Pistons can't catch Warriors at the wire
Chauncey Billups scored a season-high 33 points, but missed a tying attempt in the closing seconds as Detroit lost its sixth straight Saturday night, 92-90, to the Golden State Warriors. They were 0-4 on the trip entering Sunday night's finale in Portland.

Rebounding and offense exposed
PORTLAND, Ore. -- It was a bad West Coast trip for the Pistons, as opponents exposed their weaknesses.

STILL IN HUNT
The Pistons have lost seven straight, but it hasn't crushed their hopes for winning the Eastern Conference. Although the Pistons have fallen to third, they are just 1 1/2 games out of first because Indiana has lost six of seven and New Jersey four of five. But Philadelphia has won nine straight and joined the race. A look at the standings before the Pistons' slump and today:

Wells' career night sends Pistons home 0-5 on trip
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Pistons proved no match for the West Coast with their shaky offense. But even their defense was faulty Sunday in a 103-86 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Saturday, March 1, 2003

Tonight: Warriors
Overview: The Warriors have won 12 of their past 17 at home and are threatening to make a run at the playoffs. Jason Richardson (Michigan State, Saginaw Arthur Hill) and Gilbert Arenas lead a young, athletic team that likes to run. First-year coach Eric Musselman has done a solid job.

Young guns mark backcourt battle
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tonight's Pistons-Warriors game figures to be a battle of young, talented backcourts.

Friday, February 28, 2003

Barry says he's out, Prince is in
LOS ANGELES -- Jon Barry is out of the Pistons' nine-man rotation and Tayshaun Prince is in.

Free Press freebies
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is March 15, when the first 10,000 fans at the Boston Celtics game will get Richard Hamilton dolls. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

Kobe's tear makes good case for MVP
LOS ANGELES -- The race for the NBA MVP award probably will come down to Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady.

Lakers push Pistons' losing streak to five
LOS ANGELES -- Shaq and Kobe did their thing to the tune of 65 points, but hustling Mark Madsen might have been the difference.

Thursday, February 27, 2003

Lakers have been a formidable foe
LOS ANGELES -- Just what a struggling team needs: A game against the three-time defending champion Lakers with Shaq and Kobe operating on all cylinders.

TONIGHT'S GAME
Tip-off: Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., Staples Center.

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Kings offer cash to hear boo-birds
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Vlade Divac and Chris Webber were willing to pay to have the Arco Arena crowd boo former Kings Jon Barry and Corliss Williamson during the Pistons-Sacramento game Tuesday night.

Pistons bow to Kings
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Pistons' search for more offense continues after Tuesday's 81-75 setback to the Kings before a sellout crowd of 17,317 at Arco Arena. As their losing streak grows, look for Tayshaun Prince and Mehmet Okur to receive more playing time.

Rebraca faces big dilemma
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Zeljko Rebraca has a villa in Italy, a couple of businesses in Yugoslavia, a nice home in Orchard Lake with a wife and two beautiful children -- and an uncertain basketball future.

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Carlisle remains impressed with traded Payton
SEATTLE -- Before becoming the Pistons' coach last season, Rick Carlisle was a television analyst for the Seattle SuperSonics and got a chance to watch Gary Payton firsthand.

Pistons succumb to Sonic boomlet
SEATTLE -- Ray Allen made his home debut as a SuperSonic a successful one, accounting for 23 points and eight assists, as Seattle sent the Pistons to their third straight loss Monday night, 86-79, at Key Arena.

Pistons tickets would start at $16 in Finals
Here's a break for a basketball fan. If the Pistons reach the NBA Finals, the cheapest tickets at the Palace will cost $16. The most expensive will be $450 for the 140-odd front-row chair seats at courtside.

Ramp work a road bump to Pistons fans
Just as the Pistons are poised to make their strongest playoff run in years, the Michigan Department of Transportation plans a gift sure to frustrate fans.

TONIGHT: KINGS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), injured list. Sacramento -- F Scot Pollard (right hand), G Mateen Cleaves (left quadriceps), G Brent Price (lower back), injured list.

Wallace urged to unleash shot
SEATTLE -- His teammates want him to shoot more, and as hard as Ben Wallace works on defense, he deserves more touches on offense.

Monday, February 24, 2003

TONIGHT: SONICS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), C/F Don Reid (Achilles tendon), G Pepe Sanchez (knee), injured list. Seattle -- C Calvin Booth (knee), F Ansu Sesay (back), injured list.

West trip toughest week this season
It wasn't what the Pistons wanted entering their final West Coast swing of the season.

Saturday, February 22, 2003

Bucks a bigger threat with Payton
MINNEAPOLIS -- Even though they made no moves, the Pistons could be affected by a trade at the NBA deadline.

Minnesota wins 13th straight at home
MINNEAPOLIS -- One guard came back and reminded local fans why he was so popular; another endeared himself to his teammates by responding to a poor game by scoring 15 points in the third quarter.

TONIGHT: HORNETS
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), G Pepe Sanchez (knee), injured list.

Friday, February 21, 2003

Billups hopes Rip comes back strong
MINNEAPOLIS -- Chauncey Billups spent a little extra time with his backcourt mate Thursday, trying to put matters into perspective.

DREW SHARP: Hill has the will -- if doctors find the way
One more operation on his left ankle, one more grueling rehabilitation and one more season of attempting to play without pain.

Pistons bobblehead giveaway
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Saturday, when the first 10,000 fans at the New Orleans Hornets game will get Ben Wallace dolls (with the 'Fro). Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

TONIGHT: T-WOLVES
Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), G Pepe Sanchez (knee), injured list. Minnesota - F Joe Smith (ankle), G Rod Strickland (groin), injured list.

Thursday, February 20, 2003

Pistons win, rule East by half-game
TORONTO -- When their starters sputtered, the Pistons' reserves ignited. They charged to the rescue after the Raptors treated the starters like blue pylons, running around them, through them and ahead of them. The Pistons' bench controlled the game, denied every comeback attempt and didn't let up until victory was theirs.

Rip shoots 1-for-9, contributes at end
TORONTO -- Seated at his locker in the dressing room at the Air Canada Centre, Pistons guard Richard Hamilton shrugged off a 1-for-9 shooting night in an 89-84 victory over the Raptors and lamented playing only 19 minutes.

Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Team shows growth; defense keys surge
Winners of eight of their past nine games, owners of a 36-16 overall record and a 16-11 road record, the Pistons look to keep it going tonight at Toronto.

TONIGHT: RAPTORS
Tip-off: Pistons at Toronto, 7, Air Canada Centre. TV/radio: Channel 50; WDFN-AM (1130). Line: Pistons by 2 1/2. Injuries: Detroit -- C Zeljko Rebraca (irregular heartbeat), injured list. Toronto -- C Eric Montross (left foot), F Lamond Murray (right foot), injured list; C Mamadou N'diaye (right heel), out; G Lindsey Hunter (back), doubtful; F Maceo Baston (left thumb), C Michael Bradley (back), probable. Overview: The Raptors are 6-2 since Vince Carter returned to the lineup after a knee injury. They are averaging 99.3 points in that stretch compared to their season average of 89.7.

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Hamilton rips Miami with 34; Pistons roll
On Presidents' Day, NBA players association president Michael Curry matched his season high with 11 points, but the shooting star Monday night was Richard Hamilton.

Hamilton's spree part of evolution
He scored a season-high 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting in Monday's 93-62 victory over Miami.

Monday, February 17, 2003

Above-average day pleases Ben
CLEVELAND -- Ben Wallace got the news after Sunday night's game. He had overtaken San Antonio's Tim Duncan in blocked shots average entering Sunday's play -- 2.96 to 2.94.

Pistons top Cavs for 7th victory in 8
CLEVELAND -- Rebounding from a loss at Milwaukee, the Pistons improved their road record to an Eastern Conference-best 16-11 on Sunday with a 90-75 victory over the Cavaliers.

Saturday, February 15, 2003

Barry quiet about lack of floor time
MILWAUKEE -- Jon Barry didn't have much to say about his five-minute stint against the Bucks on Friday.

Bucks snap Pistons' win streak at six with 16-0 run
MILWAUKEE -- Beating the Pistons in three of four regular-season games, the Bucks certainly won't have any fears if the teams meet in the playoffs.

Friday, February 14, 2003

Free Press freebie
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Feb. 22, when the first 10,000 fans at the New Orleans Hornets game will get Ben Wallace bobbleheads (with the 'Fro). Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

Robinson's long shot highlights Pistons' sixth straight victory
Long before the game became a free throw contest, Cliff Robinson delivered the highlight shot of the night. With the Pistons protecting a narrow lead at the end of the third quarter, he drew gasps and then deafening cheers from the 20,333 fans at the Palace when he leaped from the backcourt three-point line and launched a shot that swished at the buzzer.

Victories are big, ugly during streak
When the Pistons take on the Bucks tonight in Milwaukee, they have a chance to build their longest winning streak of the season.

Thursday, February 13, 2003

Okur's play is boosting bench
The Pistons' bench had to adjust when center Zeljko Rebraca was lost to an irregular heartbeat, but Jon Barry believes the group has gained some consistency with the improved play of rookie Mehmet Okur.

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Tampering or not, Rip and old coach still talk
CHICAGO -- Is it early recruiting when a coach calls a former player who will be a free agent to talk basketball or just a friendship continuing?

Wallace rips 22 rebounds in return
CHICAGO -- With their ninth victory in the last 10 games at the United Center, the Pistons just keep rolling.

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Frantic February ahead for Pistons
With the All-Star break over, there will be no rest for the Pistons. They play five games in seven days, including three on the road. And that's just the start of a 20-day stretch in which they play 13 games -- 10 on the road.

Freebies
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Feb. 22, when the first 10,000 fans at the New Orleans Hornets game will get Ben Wallace bobbleheads (with the 'Fro). Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

Monday, February 10, 2003

Free Press freebie
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Feb. 22, when the first 10,000 fans at the New Orleans Hornets game will get Ben Wallace bobbleheads (with the 'Fro). Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

Grieving Wallace goes back to work
ATLANTA -- For seven years, Ben and Chanda Wallace tried to persuade Sadie Wallace to move into a bigger and better home near White Hall, Ala.

NBA NOTEBOOK: Jordan show lacks only right finish
ATLANTA -- Michael Jordan got to start, but didn't get to finish the way everyone wanted.

Friday, February 7, 2003

Free Press freebies
The next Pistons bobblehead giveaway is Feb. 22, when the first 10,000 fans at the New Orleans Hornets game will get Ben Wallace bobbleheads (with the 'Fro). Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Palace.

Rookies earning more playing time
The Pistons take a four-game winning streak into the All-Star break, and their future looks strong for this season and beyond. One reason is the emergence of rookie reserves Mehmet Okur and Tayshaun Prince.

Thursday, February 6, 2003

Health woes force signing of Manning
The Pistons turned to Danny Manning on Wednesday for inside help, with Zeljko Rebraca's playing future uncertain because of an irregular heartbeat and Don Reid out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon.

Pistons roar into All-Star break
With an 89-80 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers -- their fourth straight victory -- the Pistons have five days for rest and relaxation before playing Tuesday at Chicago.

Wednesday, February 5, 2003

Okur gets start in place of Wallace
After midday practice, Mehmet Okur often makes a return trip to the Pistons' practice facility at about 6 p.m.

Tuesday, February 4, 2003

Billups gets player of the week honor
After a 16-for-63 shooting slump, Pistons guard Chauncey Billups played so well in three victories last week that he was named Eastern Conference player of the week.

Monday, February 3, 2003

Backcourt duo starting to click
Over the past two games, the Pistons guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton have scored 104 points against two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Ben's year: All-Star fame, mom's death
This was to have been the greatest week of Ben Wallace's basketball career. After playing the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Wallace and pregnant wife Chanda were going to fly to Atlanta on Thursday in preparation for Sunday's All-Star Game.

Former Piston instills old ways into Pacers
NEVER MIND the 12 flagrant fouls this season and last week's suspensions of their coach and star player -- the Indiana Pacers think they're getting a bum rap.

Sunday, February 2, 2003

NBA suspends Isiah Thomas for 2 games
NEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas, whose team tops the Eastern Conference, has been handed a two-game suspension following a skirmish in the 102-90 loss to the Toronto Raptors Friday.

Pistons have no mercy on depleted Nets
Chauncey Billups scored 27 points and Richard Hamilton added 24, as the Detroit Pistons rolled to a 106-84 victory over the New Jersey Nets at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons, who destroyed the Boston Celtics on Friday, 118-66, have won their last two games by a combined 74 points.

Saturday, February 1, 2003

BIGGEST BLOWOUTS
The Pistons set a club record for victory margin on Friday. Tops on the list (home teams in capitals):

Billups shows why team wanted him
BOSTON -- As well as the Pistons emerged from the first half of the season, their stretch run to the playoffs could get even hotter thanks to improved play from their starting point guard.

Boston massacre: Pistons get largest victory ever
BOSTON -- By midway through the fourth quarter Friday night, Chauncey Billups stood by the bench and grinned as Tayshaun Prince drove the score above the century mark. Around him sat his fellow starters, laughing and cheering as their teammates finished off a job well begun.

TONIGHT: NETS
Matchup: Pistons vs. New Jersey, 7:30, Palace. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; WDFN-AM (1130). Injuries: Detroit -- F Zeljko Rebraca (heart), injured list. New Jersey -- C Dikembe Mutombo (wrist), C Jamie Feick (Achilles), F Rodney Rogers (calf), injured list; G Jason Kidd (groin), out. Overview: The Nets will be without Kidd, who had 27 points and 12 assists when the Nets beat Detroit, 100-92, Dec. 21.