Pistons Keep New Duo From Being Dynamic

Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady experienced what Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant did.

The defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons are a tough match for any star-studded duo.

Rasheed Wallace, one of five Pistons to score in double figures, had 24 points to help Detroit defeat the Houston Rockets, 87-79, Tuesday night in the first game of the NBA season at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“A lot of people are still doubting us, so I guess we just have to go win it all again,” said Wallace, who along with his teammates were presented their championship rings before the game and saw the Pistons’ third title banner raised.

McGrady and Yao, playing their first regular-season game together, found out what Bryant, O’Neal and the Lakers did during the last NBA Finals: The Pistons, relentless on defense and well-balanced on offense, are difficult to beat.

“When you have one or two guys, we’ve got five coming at you,” Richard Hamilton said. “That’s tough.”

McGrady missed 12 of 18 shots and finished with 18 points after scoring only three during the first half. Yao had only seven points on two-of-nine shooting.

Antonio McDyess was ejected from his Piston debut for kicking the ball while complaining about a foul.

Dallas 107, Sacramento 98 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 of his 33 points over the first three quarters, helping the Mavericks to a steady lead, then came through by making two free throws with 15.5 seconds left to seal a victory over the visiting Kings.

The Mavericks scored the first seven points of the game and led by as many as 19 midway through the second half. The Kings got within 103-98 on a three-point play by Brad Miller with just under a minute left.

Miller led Sacramento with 24 points and Chris Webber had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Peja Stojakovic was only three of 15 for 12 points.