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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Things are falling apart at the wrong
time for the Charlotte Hornets.
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| Stackhouse |
Charlotte lost its third straight game Saturday night, dropping
a 97-92 decision to the Detroit Pistons.
The Hornets have lost seven of their last nine and, after
starting the week in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, slipped
to sixth, just a half-game ahead of seventh-place Orlando.
"We've gone through stretches like this this season, we win
five in a row and then we lose five in a row," coach Paul Silas
said. "I just hope we're in an upswing as we head into the
playoffs."
The Hornets were booed off the floor by the few remaining fans
at the end of the game, even after Baron Davis hit a 3-pointer at
the buzzer.
"We know what the problem is – we've got to get going as a team
before it's too late and we end up looking sorry in the playoffs,"
said Davis. "We all need to be professional about it and realize
it's going to take everyone from top to bottom."
Jerry Stackhouse scored 30 points and Ben Wallace had a
career-high 24 rebounds to lead the Pistons.
"We picked the wrong time to start playing well," said
Stackhouse, noting that it is too late for the Pistons to make the
playoffs.
"But we'll continue to play these last games as if they were
the first games of the season."
Detroit had little trouble with the Hornets. The Pistons took
the lead early in the second quarter, built it to as many as 11
points and never gave it up while holding off every Charlotte
challenge.
Chucky Atkins scored 25 points for the Pistons. Corliss
Williamson added 14 and Joe Smith 11. Wallace finished with nine
points and was the only starter not to score in double figures.
"There's a lot of pride in this locker room, we're not ready to
pack it in just yet," said Wallace. "We're still playing hard
every night, trying to give us good momentum to take into next
season."
The Hornets are also looking for momentum and are desperate to
get it before the playoffs begin.
"We need to hit the playoffs in stride," said Elden Campbell,
who led Charlotte with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
"To do that we need to pick it up around here, the sooner the
better."
The Pistons had a 46-37 lead at the half, but Charlotte opened
the third quarter with a 12-4 run to cut it to 50-49 on Davis'
3-pointer.
Charlotte eventually tied it at 61, but Jamal Mashburn had a
critical sequence that sparked a 10-2 Detroit run and put the
Pistons in control.
Mashburn was knocked to the floor when Stackhouse blocked his
shot with just under two minutes to play in the quarter. Mashburn
didn't run back to play defense, instead staying behind to argue
for a foul call.
Atkins hit a 21-foot jumper at the other end, just as Mashburn
was hit with a technical. Stackhouse made the ensuing free throw to
give Detroit a 67-61 lead.
The Pistons pushed it to 71-63 by the end of the quarter and the
closest Charlotte got the rest of the way was 77-73 on a free throw
by Derrick Coleman.
But Smith answered with a three-point play and Stackhouse hit a
jumper to stretch Detroit's lead to 82-73 with 5:49 left.
Davis had 20 points for the Hornets. Mashburn added 18, but
continued his recent struggles by shooting just 7-for-23.
"I'm proud of these guys," Detroit coach George Irvine said.
"It's easy to pack it in when you've been eliminated from the
playoffs, but these guys are doing the right thing by coming out
and giving their best effort."
Game notes
Detroit missed its first 10 shots of the game. ... Pistons
forward Billy Owens did not play because of back spasms. ... Dana
Barros failed to hit a 3-pointer, snapping his streak of six
straight games against the Hornets. ... Hugo, the Hornets' mascot,
hit a half-court shot with his back to the basket during a third
quarter break.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Detroit Clubhouse
Charlotte Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 102
Washington 100
Detroit 97
Charlotte 92
Phoenix 102
Cleveland 98
Utah 116
Dallas 103
Houston 110
Atlanta 97
Denver 98
Vancouver 97
San Antonio 93
LA Clippers 83
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