HoopsVibe

(Sports Network) - Rasheed Wallace poured in 24 points, including 18 in the second half, leading the defending champion Detroit Pistons to an 87-79 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in the season-opener for both teams.

Chauncey Billups collected 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Pistons, who were undoubtedly juiced up at the start after receiving their championship rings and seeing their first championship banner since 1990 raised to the Palace rafters.

Ben Wallace added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the victory while also holding Houston All-Star center Yao Ming in check. Richard Hamilton also had 15 points and dished out eight assists.

Detroit forward Antonio McDyess, making his Pistons debut, was ejected midway through the second quarter against the Rockets for kicking the ball after a foul call. He had three points and one rebound in nine minutes. New Piston Derrick Coleman did not play, nor did last year's top pick Darko Milicic.

The Pistons are off until Friday when they visit Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Last season, Detroit defeated the Raptors in three of the four meetings. The Pistons only loss was an 87-78 defeat at Air Canada Centre on April 13th, which was Detroit's last regular-season contest.