NBA ROUNDUP Thursday's games
Pistons 106, Heat 101
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons showed the Miami Heat that their many moves might not make a difference. Chauncey Billups scored 30 and Richard Hamilton had 25 points and a season-high nine assists, leading Detroit in a rematch of the last season's Eastern Conference finals. In their first matchup since the Pistons won at Miami in Game 7 of the series, Detroit used clutch shots and key defensive plays in the final minutes to pull away in the close game. Dwyane Wade had 33 points, Shaquille O'Neal scored 26 and Jason Williams chipped in with 20 points for the Heat, who had won seven of nine games. Miami added players through free agency and trades in the off-season, and Pat Riley replaced Stan Van Gundy as coach earlier this month. The Pistons have had the same starting five for nearly two years, a span that includes one NBA title and falling just short of a repeat. Detroit's Rasheed Wallace scored 21 points and Tayshaun Prince added 13.
Spurs 111, Hornets 84
SAN ANTONIO -- Michael Finley scored 18 points -- including making all four of his 3-point shots -- and the San Antonio Spurs shut down New Orleans' offense after the opening minutes. The Spurs, who lost to New Orleans earlier this month in Oklahoma City, were 11-for-15 on 3s and their lead grew to as many as 32 points in the fourth quarter before both teams emptied their benches. Tim Duncan added 17 points for San Antonio, while Tony Parker had 16 and Manu Ginobili 14. David West was the only Hornets player in double figures with 18 points. Chris Paul, the team's leading scorer at 16.7 points per game, finished with six on 3-for-12 shooting.
Associated Press
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.