Detroit Pistons Team Report - November 22

(Basketball News) - Chauncey Billups poured in 23 points and dished out nine assists, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 94-85 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Ben Wallace contributed 10 points, nine blocks and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who won their four straight overall and fifth consecutive contest at home. Richard Hamilton added 21 points in the victory.

Billups sparked a 9-1 run in the first quarter when he connected from behind the arc to make it 19-9. New York made just 6-of-21 shots in the opening period and trailed 29-16 after 12 minutes of action. Hamilton led all scorers with nine points in the stanza.

Detroit’s lead reach as many as 15 in the second quarter after a basket by Mehmet Okur to start the period. The Knicks eventually went into the locker room trailing by 11 at 51-40.

A 10-0 run in the third quarter did get New York within four. Kurt Thomas’ two free throws finished off the spurt and made it a 68-64 game late in the third quarter.

The Pistons then scored six of the final eight points of the period to push the margin back up to eight after three periods of play.

New York was never able to mount a serious threat in the final period, allowing the Pistons to cruise to the victory. Detroit won easily despite hitting just 40 percent of its shots.

The Pistons are off until Sunday when they host Baron Davis and the New Orleans Hornets.