Collins Fired; Pistons Misfire

For the Detroit Pistons, life without Doug Collins is supposed to mean no more tension, no more friction. On Monday night at Washington, it meant no more defense.

On the day they fired the coach with the intense, confrontational style, the Pistons gave up their most points in a game this season in a 113-101 loss to the Washington Wizards.

“It was awful,” said Alvin Gentry, promoted from assistant coach to replace Collins for the rest of the season. “It was the worst defense we have played in three years. That’s not being negative. That’s the fact.”

Earlier in the day, Collins, who was 121-88 in 2 1/2 seasons with Detroit, was fired because of what team president Tom Wilson described as “friction” between players and Collins. After the loss, the players could blame no one but themselves.

“You can’t point the finger tonight,” said Grant Hill, who had 16 points. “We got tattooed.”

Washington’s Chris Webber had 23 points and 12 rebounds as he took advantage of mismatches and blown defensive assignments throughout the game.

Jerry Stackhouse led Detroit with 22 points in a reserve role.

“It’s tough to have a game on the day something happens,” said Stackhouse, who seemed more upset than many of his teammates at the turn of events. “(Gentry) is not Doug. I haven’t played for many coaches who knew Xs and Os like Doug.”

Miami 90, Atlanta 83--Alonzo Mourning had 22 points and a season-high 17 rebounds as the Heat won at Miami.

The Heat played without forward P.J. Brown, who served a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during a scuffle in Miami’s 89-83 loss to the Knicks on Sunday.

Miami also announced that forward Terry Mills is expected to sit out at least miss six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Chicago 111, Denver 72--Scottie Pippen scored 19 points and Scott Burrell added 24--all in the fourth quarter--as the Bulls bounced back from their worst loss this season in a big way at Denver.

The Bulls, coming off a 25-point loss to the Lakers on Sunday, appeared lethargic but were still too much for the NBA’s worst team.

Denver stayed competitive only until early in the third quarter. The 39-point loss was the worst of the season for the Nuggets.

Cleveland 109, Minnesota 99--Rookie Cedric Henderson scored a season-high 24 points and rookie Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 19 to lead the Cavaliers at Cleveland.

Phoenix 106, Philadelphia 97--Rex Chapman scored 29 points at Philadelphia as the Suns won their third consecutive road game.

Antonio McDyess had 22 points and 13 rebounds and Steve Nash added 17 points for the Suns.

Dallas 104, Vancouver 90--Michael Finley scored 30 points at Dallas and the Mavericks beat the Grizzlies for the third time this season.