RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Ray Allen showed off his gold medal, took the
microphone and promised Milwaukee Bucks fans another playoff run.
Then, he gave way and let Lindsey Hunter burn his old team, the
Detroit Pistons.
With Allen in early foul trouble, Hunter had 15 points, six
rebounds and four assists as the Bucks defeated Detroit in their
home opener for the second straight season, 98-88 Saturday night.
The Bucks, who boasted of a newfound defensive commitment all
offseason only to get blown out in their first two games, finally
practiced what they've been preaching as they limited the Pistons
to 39 percent shooting.
Milwaukee used a 24-8 run spanning the second and third quarters
to take a 57-41 lead behind 18 points from Sam Cassell, who
finished with 20.
The Bucks led by as many as 21 before the Pistons made a late
charge.
Milwaukee forward Darvin Ham sprained his left foot and had to
be helped off the court with six minutes left in the third quarter.
He didn't return.
Ham was hurt going for a rebound under the basket and while he
was down, Jerome Williams scored and was fouled at the other end.
His three-point play pulled the Pistons to 62-55.
But Hunter, who was traded for forward Billy Owens in the
offseason, scored five straight to restore the Bucks' double-digit
lead.
Hunter made it 74-57 with a 3-pointer as the Bucks used a 9-2
run to take an 80-59 lead into the fourth quarter.
Rookie Mateen Cleaves led the Pistons with 19 points. Jerry
Stackhouse had 17. Owens had just two points.
Pistons trainer Mike Abdenour was whistled for a technical foul
after repeatedly going onto the court.
With about 10 minutes left in the game, official Leon Wood came
downcourt and said he'd finally had it.
"That's enough," Wood said as he called the technical.
Detroit coach George Irvine couldn't believe it, but Wood told
him, "Get your trainer off the court!" and Irvine returned to his
bench, where Abdenour was seated and red-faced.
Hunter then playfully shouted at the Pistons bench: "Shut up,
Abdenour. Shut up, Abdenour!" as Allen shot the violation.
Abdenour is one of the NBA's most respected trainers, having
logged 25 years in the league.
Game
notes
The Bucks defeated the Pistons 121-111 in their home opener
last year. ... Milwaukee is 23-10 in its home openers and 16-4 in
the last 20 years. ... Sitting courtside was Green Bay Packers wide
receiver Antonio Freeman, whose team faces the Minnesota Vikings on
Monday night. ... Cleaves' previous high was 4 points.
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NBA Scoreboard
Detroit Clubhouse
Milwaukee Clubhouse
RECAPS
LA Lakers 98
Vancouver 89
Indiana 94
Chicago 81
Toronto 103
Washington 96
Orlando 107
Atlanta 104
Cleveland 91
Boston 89
Philadelphia 84
Miami 82
Utah 112
Dallas 106
Minnesota 99
Sacramento 91
Charlotte 98
New Jersey 87
Milwaukee 97
Detroit 88
Phoenix 102
Denver 99
Portland 97
Seattle 90
San Antonio 117
Golden State 105
LA Clippers 77
Houston 74
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