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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
DETROIT (AP) -- When Jerry Stackhouse scores 32
points, nobody blinks an eye. Stackhouse with seven steals, though,
is something out of the ordinary.
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Stackhouse did both Friday, nearly doubling his career best of four steals, to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 105-98 victory over the Washington Wizards.
"I don't normally get a lot of steals because I don't like to
gamble much on defense," he said. "I didn't really gamble much
tonight, either. I just played good positional defense and was able
to read a couple of their plays and step in front of passes."
Stackhouse didn't miss the fact that adding a new facet to his
game comes at an opportune time in the season.
"Sure I'm thinking about the All-Star Game," he said. "I
think I'm playing well enough to be there, and I hope I am. But the
best part of this is that we are winning games."
As good as Stackhouse is playing, though, he will have trouble
escaping Grant Hill's massive shadow. Hill finished with 30 against
the Wizards, and has scored 29 or more points in six straight
games, averaging 35.7 a game in that stretch.
"Down the stretch we were going to Grant, and he hit some huge
shots," said Pistons coach Alvin Gentry. "He's just playing
sensational basketball."
Hill tried to make sure that Stackhouse got his share of the
credit.
"We're playing really well right now, but it's not just me,"
he said. "Jerry's been great. If he doesn't make the All-Star
Game, it is a a disservice. His numbers are right there with any
guard in the East. He probably won't get voted in, but I think the
coaches should take him."
The win was Detroit's seventh in its last eight, while the
Wizards lost their sixth in a row on the road.
"I think when you have 27-30 turnovers against a good team, you
aren't going to win the game," said Wizards coach Gar Heard. "We
should have won the game, but you can't give that team extra
opportunities to score, especially when you have guys like Hill and
Stackhouse on the floor."
Mitch Richmond, who had 33 in a 97-83 win at the Palace on Dec. 21, led the Wizards with 29. Juwan Howard added 20 and Ike Austin had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
"Mitch Richmond is just an amazing player," Gentry said. "Jerry played a great game against him, and he just kept hitting
shots."
The Wizards pulled within one with 1:52 to go before Hunter hit
a 3-pointer. After a basket by Austin, Hill hit a pair of free
throws to make it 100-96. Hill then added a layup after a
Washington turnover, putting the game out of reach.
Detroit by as many as 16 early in the second quarter, but the
Wizards used a 13-0 run to get within 53-49 at the half. Richmond
had four of his 14 first-half points in the run.
Washington then opened the second half with a 7-0 surge to go
ahead for the first time in the game.
Detroit answered with an 11-point run of its own, going up 64-56
midway through the third. The Pistons led 81-71 at quarter's end,
thanks to 11 points in the period by Hill.
Richmond's driving layup pulled the Wizards to 85-79, but he
missed the free throw that could have made it a three-point play.
Stackhouse scored on three straight possessions, then Michael
Curry hit a pair of jumpers, but Detroit needed all of it just to
keep the Wizards at bay.
Game notes
Friday's game was the first of a two-day home-and-home
series between the teams. It is the only time that either team
plays the same team on consecutive nights this season. ... Despite
his reputation as a Piston-killer, Richmond entered the season
averaging just 19.9 points in his 21 career contests against them.
That is his lowest average against any NBA team. ... Wizards rookie Richard Hamilton missed the game due to a death in his family.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
NBA would be delighted if Jordan joined Wizards staff
RECAPS
Philadelphia 102
Orlando 100
Toronto 115
Milwaukee 110
New York 0
Charlotte 0
Detroit 105
Washington 98
Indiana 111
LA Lakers 102
Atlanta 89
Chicago 83
Miami 92
Denver 87
Seattle 91
San Antonio 85
Cleveland 82
Vancouver 80
Portland 105
Phoenix 83
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