ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Friday, Mar. 9 8:00pm ET
Bench produces points in Pistons' win

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – After the morning shootaround, Detroit Pistons forward Joe Smith could barely walk.

Bill Owens
Detroit's Bill Owens, left, and Mikki Moore give Jamal Crawford little chance to get this loose ball.
By Friday night, he was taking apart the Chicago Bulls.

Smith had played a total of four minutes in Detroit's previous two games because of a sprained ankle, but scored 16 points in Detroit's 108-75 rout of the Bulls.

"After the shootaround, I didn't think there was a chance he could play," Pistons coach George Irvine said. "But (strength coach) Arnie (Kander) worked his magic, and he had a really nice game."

The loss extended Chicago's franchise-record road losing streak to 17 games.

"It looked like a recreation game after the first quarter," Chicago coach Tim Floyd said. "I thought we would get settled down, but it never really worked out for us."

Detroit won for just the third time in 11 games. The 33-point margin of victory was the Pistons' largest of the season.

"This was a team we should beat and a game we should win, but it is still nice to get this one," said Jerry Stackhouse, who led the Pistons with 23 points. "I wish we could bottle this up and use it again on Sunday."

Ben Wallace had eight points and 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes for Detroit. Three reserves scored in double figures for the Pistons.

"We got solid minutes from everyone tonight," Irvine said. "Even guys like Billy Owens, who didn't score, did a lot of other things to help us win. That's what happens when we have Joe in there -- he gives us a lot of depth."

Ron Artest led Chicago with 16 points, and Elton Brand added 15. Brand scored 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the first quarter, but was 1-for-7 the rest of the way.

"We've been playing very well of late, so I'm surprised," Brand said. "We got pushed back in the transition game, and we just didn't play well."

The Pistons pulled out to a 55-44 lead by halftime in a closely contested first half. Detroit shot 54.8 percent for the half. Chicago shot 39.5 percent.

Detroit continued to control play in the third quarter. The Pistons opened the period with a 21-9 run that widened their lead to 76-53. Smith led the surge with eight points.

Detroit built its lead to 85-60 by the end of the third period and cruised to the victory.

Game notes
The loss was Chicago's fifth in a row to Detroit, a far cry from the Bulls' 19-game winning streak over the Pistons during the Jordan years. ... Detroit is now 9-0 against Chicago, New Jersey and Seattle, and just 14-39 against the rest of the NBA. ... Chicago failed in its attempt for a second two-game winning streak of the season.

Send this story to a friend
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Chicago Clubhouse

Detroit Clubhouse


RECAPS
Indiana 99
Cleveland 84

Philadelphia 108
Atlanta 103

Boston 104
Washington 72

Miami 86
Minnesota 79

New Jersey 96
New York 83

Detroit 108
Chicago 75

Dallas 102
Golden State 73

Utah 107
Phoenix 95

Toronto 110
Seattle 99

Vancouver 95
Portland 85

San Antonio 93
LA Lakers 89

Sacramento 110
Denver 104


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.