NEW YORK, 16 December 2005 — Richard Hamilton scored 36 points to lead the streaking Detroit Pistons to a 109-98 win over the Sacramento Kings in National Basketball Association play in Auburn Hills on Wednesday.
Chauncey Billups added 28 points and a career-high 19 assists for the Pistons, who improved to 16-3 to tie the franchise record for the best start to a season they set in 1996-97.
Billups’ 19 assists were the most by any player in the NBA this season, bettering the 17 Phoenix’s Steve Nash had earlier this year.
With the loss, the Kings had their three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 10-13.
Rasheed Wallace chipped in 19 points for the Pistons, who have the best record in the NBA, and Ben Wallace hauled down 17 rebounds.
Tayshaun Prince added 13 points for the Pistons, who shot 51 percent overall and went 11-for-15 from three-point range.
Brad Miller scored 16 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Kings, while Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Mike Bibby both scored 14 points for Sacramento.
The Pistons led 56-48 at the half, but the Kings crept to within one point at 69-68 early in the third before Detroit pulled away.
Detroit led by eight points after three quarters and increased that lead to 17 points at one stage in the final quarter.
In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 39 points as the 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-101. Chris Webber added 29 points for the Sixers. Al Harrington scored 27 points and Tyronne Lue added 21 points for the Hawks.
In Toronto, Darius Spongaila scored 18 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Raptors 105-94. Chris Duhon added 16 points for the Bulls. Chris Bosh scored 25 points and Mike James added 16 for the Raptors, who slipped to a woeful 4-18.
In New York, Dwight Howard scored 23 points and had 13 rebounds as the Orlando Magic beat the Knicks 105-90. Hedo Turkoglu added 18 points for the Magic. Eddy Curry scored 23 points and Quentin Richardson added 16 points for the Knicks.
In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 25 points as the Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 85-71. Mark Blount added 22 points for the Celtics.
Stephen Jackson scored 18 points and Jermaine O’Neal added 14 points and had 10 rebounds for the Pacers.
In East Rutherford, Brevin Knight scored 27 points as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the New Jersey Nets 91-83 to end an eight-game losing streak.
In Milwaukee, Dwyane Wade scored 27 points as the Miami Heat beat the Bucks 100-83, improving to 2-0 under Pat Riley.
In Oklahoma City, J.R. Smith scored 21 points as the New Orleans Hornets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-89.
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzi scored 29 points and had 13 rebounds as the Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 102-96.
In Memphis, Kobe Bryant scored 27 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Grizzlies 94-79.
In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the Utah Jazz to an 82-77 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
In Oakland, Yao Ming had 30 points and 16 rebounds, leading the Houston Rockets to a 111-105 win over the Golden State Warriors in overtime.
