Pistons extend win streak to seven; topple Clippers

Richard Hamilton tallied 15 points, Tayshaun Prince 14 and Chauncey Billups 11 for the Pistons, who continued their domination of the Clippers by winning for the eighth consecutive time and for the 17th time in the last 21 meetings. They’ve beaten LA six straight times at the Palace and in 13 of the last 14 encounters at Auburn Hills.

The Clippers played without forward Elton Brand, who missed his first game of the season due to back spasms. LA shot 32.4 percent from the field.

Cuttino Mobley led the way with 17 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped two in a row and five of six. Corey Maggette ended with 15 points and eight boards, while Chris Kaman had 13 points and nine rebounds before fouling out.

The Pistons scored the final four points of the opening quarter, on a hook shot by Prince and a Hamilton jumper.

The Clippers didn’t lead the rest of the night, although they got within a point midway through the second, as Maggette’s jumper made it 35-34, capping six straight LA points.

Detroit extended to a 45-38 lead at the half and pulled away by opening the third on a 13-3 spurt, finished by four consecutive points from Webber.

It was 71-56 going into the fourth, and Detroit’s advantage went over 20 after Carlos Delfino drilled a three, followed by a McDyess jumper for an 82-61 margin with 8:24 remaining.

Game Notes

The Pistons host San Antonio on Wednesday in their last game before the All- Star break, while LA hosts Atlanta the same night in its final contest prior the mid-season hiatus...LA’s last win at Detroit was Feb. 19, 2001...The Pistons are one victory shy of a season-high win streak, set Nov. 17 - Dec. 1. They’ve also won six in a row at home. This was the fourth installment of a five-game homestand...LA finished 2-5 on its road trip.