Detroit Is Too Defensive for Suns

The Detroit Pistons know why they are on the verge of setting an NBA record for defense.

It’s because of Ben Wallace.

Wallace had 22 rebounds and 10 points Friday night at Detroit as the Pistons defeated the Phoenix Suns, 93-81. Wallace has double-doubles in Detroit’s last three games and in seven of the last 10.

“I can’t even believe how well Ben is playing right now,” Piston Coach Larry Brown said. “I know I’m playing him too many minutes, but whenever I ask him how he feels, he says he’s fine.”

The Pistons extended their winning streak to four games and have not allowed 100 points in any of their 33 games this season, tying the single-season record set by the New York Knicks in 2000-01.

Indiana 103, Boston 90 -- Reggie Miller made three three-point baskets during a 13-0 fourth-quarter run, and Ron Artest scored 28 points, had five steals and helped get Celtic star Paul Pierce in foul trouble -- limiting him to 18 points in 29 minutes at Boston.

Milwaukee 109, Dallas 101 -- Michael Redd scored four points in the final 22 seconds to help the Bucks win at Milwaukee. Brian Skinner, playing in his fourth game after returning from knee surgery, scored 20 points for Milwaukee, which had 28 assists and a season-low five turnovers.

New Jersey 97, Cleveland 82 -- Jason Kidd showed LeBron James how it’s done on both ends of the court. Kidd had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and played a major part in limiting James to 14 points at East Rutherford, N.J.

James’ point total was his lowest since scoring eight against Atlanta on Dec. 6. The top pick in the NBA draft had scored at least 17 points in his previous 12 games and had averaged 27.3 since Dec. 11.

Miami 112, Orlando 101 -- The Heat led, 84-60, midway through the third quarter and 99-83 with 6 1/2 minutes left at Miami. But the Magic trailed, 103-101, before the Heat rallied to score the final nine points.

Memphis 100, Utah 88 -- The Grizzlies, who had not won since Dec. 19, used a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Jazz at Memphis and end their seven-game losing streak.

Chicago 104, New York 99 -- After Charlie Ward made a layup to bring the Knicks to within two points -- 101-99 -- with 20.7 seconds left at Madison Square Garden, the Bulls’ Marcus Fizer made three free throws to help end the Knicks’ four-game winning streak.

Minnesota 93, Atlanta 75 -- Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Sam Cassell had 15 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves, who won their fifth in a row at home and carried some momentum into the new year following a franchise-best 11-2 December.

Washington 97, Golden State 79 -- Gilbert Arenas made a three-point basket to start 19-4 run at the end of the third quarter at Washington, enabling the Wizards to end a five-game losing streak.

New Orleans 86, Toronto 74 -- Baron Davis scored 22 points for the Hornets, who have won two straight road games after losing their previous four. Vince Carter had 22 points for the Raptors, who never led in losing for the seventh time in 10 games.

Denver 106, Portland 96 -- Rasheed Wallace had 30 points, but they weren’t enough to prevent the Trail Blazers from losing for only the fifth time in 15 home games.