NBA Game Summary - Detroit at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC (Basketball News) - Richard Hamilton poured in 23 points to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 108-103 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Chauncey Billups added 20 points and nine assists and Tayshaun Prince had 18 points for the Pistons, who’s magic number dropped to one to clinch the Central Division.

Rasheed Wallace contributed 16 points and seven rebounds while Ben Wallace shot 5-of-5 from the floor for 10 points in the win, Detroit’s third in its last four games.

Primoz Brezec totaled 20 points and seven boards and Jake Voskuhl posted 18 points and seven rebounds for the Bobcats, who have lost four in a row and six of their last eight contests. Raymond Felton netted 12 and dished out seven assists in the loss.

Leading 89-84 heading into the final frame, Detroit opened the stanza with an 11-4 burst as the Pistons came out firing from beyond the arc. Maurice Evans’ three upped the score to 97-88 and Rasheed Wallace’s banked triple moments later finished the run and pushed the lead to 12, 100-88.

The Bobcats responded with 10-2 rally, showcased by Gerald Wallace’s alley-oop layup, to pull within 102-98 with 4:10 to play.

With the Pistons leading 105-100, Brevin Knight drained a free throw, and Voskuhl followed that with a tip-in of Gerald Wallace’s missed layup to pull within 105-103 with less than 20 seconds remaining.

However, Prince’s three-point play on the other end sealed the win.

The Pistons led 29-23 after 12 minutes of play.

Antonio McDyess’ bucket extended the lead to 40-33, but Charlotte went on a 13-1 run, highlighted by Felton’s three-pointer, to give the Bobcats a 46-41 advantage. The Pistons added fuel to the streak by sinking one field goal in over 3 1/2 minutes. Charlotte held a 55-52 edge at the half.