Detroit Pistons Team Report - November 9

(Basketball News) - Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 20 points in the second overtime, lifting the Detroit Pistons to a hard fought 99-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday at the Staples Center.

Richard Hamilton also had 20 points on just 9-of-26 shooting for the defending champion Pistons, who improved to 3-1 on the young season. Rasheed Wallace chipped in 18 points while Ben Wallace, who learned of his brother’s death earlier in the day, contributed 15 to go with 14 rebounds. Billups also had nine assists.

Billups opened the second extra frame with a three, but the Clippers netted the next seven points for a 96-92 lead midway through.

Detroit then put the clamps down with its trademark defense and eventually tied the game from the foul line, as Billups hit a pair with 34 seconds to go to give his team a 97-96 edge.

Los Angeles struggled to find a shot the next time up the court and Marko Jaric was forced into a bad attempt with 11 seconds to play. Billups was then fouled immediately and hit both shots from the charity stripe, but the best the Clippers could do with limited time was a hurried three by Corey Maggette that went off the back of the rim.

Detroit scored the last seven points of the night.

However, all the news was not good, as it was learned that the Pistons will be without All-Star center Ben Wallace for at least a pair of road games after the death of his brother.

Wallace’s brother, Sam Jr., succumbed to brain cancer Monday morning in Alabama. He was 61.

The 30-year-old Wallace, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons, is expected to miss Thursday’s game in Denver and Saturday’s contest at Utah.

Wallace is averaging 12.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for the 3-1 Pistons.

Detroit, is 1-1 away from home this season. The Pistons were 23-18 on the road last season, but just 6-8 against Western Conference teams.