Detroit Pistons Team Report - December 4

(Basketball News) - Richard Hamilton scored 18 points to lead Detroit to an 87-73 win over Miami Wednesday 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.

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 Dwyane 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.

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.

Prince finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pistons are off until Saturday when they visit Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets.