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Tuesday, Dec. 5 10:00pm ET
Stackhouse held to 11 in defeat

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Michael Dickerson returned to Vancouver's lineup and the Grizzlies' defense suddenly became stingy.

Dickerson returned after missing eight games because of an ankle sprain, and Vancouver shut down high-scoring Jerry Stackhouse as the Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons 91-83 on Tuesday night.

Stackhouse, who entered the game tied with Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant for the league scoring lead with 28.4 points per game, was held to 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

The Grizzlies won for the third time in their last 11 starts.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Detroit. It was also the lowest point output of the season by Stackhouse, who had been held to fewer than 20 points in two of his previous 16 games. He did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter and finished with a season-high 11 assists.

"Obviously, we're a different club when Dickerson is in the lineup," Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe said.

"When Stackhouse comes at you, Michael can go right back at him, so Stack had to play some defense. I thought (reserve guard) Doug West did a good job, and the big guys did a good job of coming at him and forcing (Stackhouse) to get rid of the ball."

Pistons coach George Irvine saw the Grizzlies' defensive tactics somewhat differently.

"Well, when they're double and triple-teaming him, he's got no choice but to pass," said Irvine of Stackhouse. "And when our league continues to not enforce illegal defense, it makes it tough. The problem is (the Grizzlies) didn't come at him real hard. The rule states if you're coming from the weak side it has to be an aggressive double team, not one which lingers over there. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't."

"I can't say we need to play harder or smarter," said Stackhouse. "That team just beat us tonight."

Dickerson, who scored 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting for Vancouver, was aided defensively by the center combination of Ike Austin and Bryant Reeves.

Reeves' two rebounds and four free throws late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

"I think the key was keeping the ball out of Stackhouse's hands," said Dickerson. "The team played together tonight. We showed what we could do in the beginning of the season. It's just that we've got to believe in the coach and believe in the system."

Reeves, who lost his starting spot to Austin, finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Austin gave the Grizzlies a strong start, with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the contest. Vancouver was led by Shareef Abdur-Rahim's 18 points.

Vancouver point guard Mike Bibby matched his season-high with 12 assists.

Chucky Atkins scored 13 points for Detroit.

Game notes
Detroit veteran Billy Owens, who missed nine games with back spasms, was activated before the game. John Wallace (knee) was placed on the injured list. The Grizzlies made room for Dickerson by placing guard Kevin Edwards on the injured list. Edwards played the previous two games for Vancouver with a fractured left thumb. ... Detroit continues its four-game trip Wednesday in Seattle. The Grizzlies play in Utah on Thursday.
NBA Scoreboard

Detroit Clubhouse

Vancouver Clubhouse

RECAPS
Indiana 88
New Jersey 64

Miami 100
Atlanta 92

Cleveland 71
Charlotte 66

Orlando 101
Boston 98

Minnesota 100
Chicago 90

Sacramento 81
San Antonio 75

Houston 109
Dallas 102

Utah 98
Toronto 84

Vancouver 91
Detroit 83

LA Lakers 96
Philadelphia 85


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