LOS ANGELES, 23 November 2004 — The Detroit Pistons began life without Ben Wallace, and it wasn’t so bad for starters.
Tayshaun Prince’s dunk with 16.5 seconds left in the second overtime lifted the short-handed Pistons over the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, 117-116 on Sunday night in the first game at Palace of Auburn Hills since the riot with Indiana just two days ago. Richard Hamilton led defending NBA champions Detroit with a game-high 30 points, including all 20 of his free throws before fouling out late in the regulation. Antonio McDyess, filling in for Wallace, finished with 24 points.
Earlier in the day, Detroit lost four players to suspension in a landmark decision by NBA Commissioner David Stern for their parts in the ugly melee between the Pacers and rowdy fans on Friday night. Wallace was given a six-game suspension, while Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman were to miss one game each for leaving the bench during the brawl.
The unprecedented suspensions and tighter arena security were imposed by the NBA following an ugly brawl between players and fans that could deliver the league a painful blow.
Nine players were banished Sunday, including instigator Ron Artest for 72 games, the longest suspension in NBA history.
Artest’s Indiana teammates Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal were suspended for 30 and 25 games respectively, among the longest exiles in NBA history, after punching fans in the stands or on the court in the chaos. Suspensions are without pay, so Artest will lose $4.99 million, Jackson $1.63 million and O’Neal $4.1 million. Jason Kapono netted a career-high 25 points for expansion Charlotte before fouling out in the second overtime. Primoz Brezec also had a personal-best 22 points and Steve Smith matched him with 22 as well.
Suns 122 Clippers 111: League scoring leader Amare Stoudemire overcame early foul trouble to score 31 of his 33 points in the final three quarters, leading the Suns to their fourth consecutive victory. Joe Johnson had a season-high 23 points, Shawn Marion added 22 while Steve Nash chipped in with 22 points and 18 assists for Phoenix, (8-2).
Raptors 96 Spurs 91: Lamond Murray scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Raptors rally from a 20-point deficit to snap the Spurs’ six-game winning streak. Rafer Alston had 20 points, a season-high 11 assists and seven rebounds for Toronto, which outscored San Antonio, 33-9 in the final frame to snap a five-game slide. Chris Bosh finished with 20 points and 10 boards.
Heat 93 76ers 83: Sophomore sensation Dwyane Wade scored 25 points while Shaquille O’Neal had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots as the Heat beat the Allen-Iverson-less 76ers. Marc Jackson had 21 points in Philadelphia’s third straight setback. Iverson didn’t make the trip due to a bruised elbow.
Celtics 102 Sonics 83: Ricky Davis scored 25 points and Paul Pierce had 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Celtics stopped the Sonics’ nine game winning streak. Ray Allen led Seattle with 21 points.
Knicks 98 Cavaliers 88: Jamal Crawford scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks halt the Cavs’ six-game winning streak. Drew Gooden led Cleveland with 25 points and 15 rebounds, Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 21, while LeBron James finished with 13 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Rockets 97 Blazers 93: Yao Ming scored 19 points while Tracy McGrady added 16 points and 11 assists, as the Rockets turned back the Trail Blazers. Zach Randolph led Portland with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
Kings 88 Bucks 79: Serbian sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, sparking the Kings to their fifth straight victory. Chris Webber had 18 points and 14 rebounds as Sacramento improved to 5-0 at Arco Arena. Keith Van Horn scored 15 points before fouling out late in the game in Milwaukee’s fourth straight loss.
Nuggets 110 Mavericks 82: Greg Buckner scored a career-high 28 points and Carmelo Anthony added 21 as the Nuggets rocked the Mavericks Devin Harris led Dallas with 15 points. Not only did Dallas lose the game, they lost All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki to a sprained left ankle when the German wunderkind stepped on the foot of Denver forward Nene.
Lakers 102 Bulls 93: Kobe Bryant had 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers kept the Bulls winless this season through eight games. Caron Butler scored 21 points and Chris Mihm added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.
