NBA Game Summary - Miami at Detroit

Auburn Hills, MI (Basketball News) - Richard Hamilton scored 18 points to lead Detroit to an 87-73 win over Miami at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Mehmet Okur added 17 points and 12 boards, while Chauncey Billups scored 16 for the Pistons, who have won four consecutive games.

Ben Wallace pulled down a game-high 21 rebounds in the win.

Lamar Odom posted 22 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the Heat, who have dropped two of their last three contests. Dwyane Wade and Rafer Alston each chipped in 15 in the loss.

Detroit grabbed a 16-6 lead on a pair of free throws by Billups midway through the first quarter. The lead grew to 15 on Tayshaun Prince’s bucket later in the frame and the Pistons enjoyed a 32-18 edge after one period.

The Heat closed within 41-32 on Wade’s basket with just under five minutes remaining in the first half, but Detroit stretched its advantage to 18 points at 52-34 at halftime.

Prince scored 13 points, while Wade and Odom each paced the Heat with 10 in the opening 24 minutes.

Hamilton’s three-point play at the midpoint of the third quarter widened the gap to 62-42, but the Heat trimmed the deficit to 66-57 later in the frame. Detroit carried a 68-57 cushion into the final period.

Eddie Jones’ three-pointer early in the fourth cut the gap to 70-64, but Detroit ran off eight straight points to claim a 14-point edge and put the game out of reach.

Miami never seriously threatened again.