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Pistons are NBAs best at All-Star break
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-15 13:34
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Pistons were guaranteed to have the best
record entering the All-Star break. They wanted to make sure they weren't headed
their with a losing streak.
Detroit Pistons
guard Ben Wallace (L) and guard Carlos Delfino (R) pressure New Jersey
Nets guard Vince Carter (C) during the second half of their NBA game in
Auburn Hills, Michigan February 14, 2006. Detroit defeated New Jersey
85-71. [Reuters] | Chauncey Billups had 19 points and 10
assists to help Detroit beat New Jersey 85-71 on Tuesday night.
"Usually, these games are tough to play, because you're looking at a week
off," said Richard Hamilton, who added 18 points on his 28th birthday. "But our
energy was great. We didn't want to lose two in a row, and we wanted to make a
statement."
With their coach and 80 percent of the starting lineup heading to Houston for
the All-Star game, the Pistons went into break with a 42-9 record.
"I told the team that it is always a good sign when you get to the break with
a single-digit loss count," Pistons and Eastern Conference coach Flip Saunders
said. "When we come back next week, we'll be on the downhill of the season, and
it will be going 85 miles an hour like the Olympic luge."
Ben Wallace had 10 points and 13 rebounds and Rasheed Wallace had 13 points
and 11 rebounds.
"It was a good win for us, especially coming off a tough loss to Miami,"
Billups said. "You've got to be proud of what we have done so far, but our work
is far, far from over."
Saunders plans to play all four Pistons as a group at the All-Star game, and
is looking forward to the moment.
"That locker room is going to be very Detroit Pistons-oriented, and it will
be special when we put all four of them on the floor together," he said. "I
expect they will get a very nice ovation, because people appreciate the way we
play."
Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Vince
Carter scored 13, despite struggling with a cold. Jason Kidd had all 10 of his
points in the first half and matched his season-low with three assists.
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