Pistons cruise against Hawks

ATLANTA - Chauncey Billups scored 23 points, Richard Hamilton added 21 and the Detroit Pistons routed the Atlanta Hawks 117-89 Wednesday night, the expected result in a match-up of the NBA's best and worst records.

The Pistons have won five in a row - all by double-digit margins - to boost their record to 31-5. Atlanta fell to 10-27.

Detroit got off to a rocky start, missing 11 of its first 16 shots. The Hawks were even worse, starting 1 of 11, but still managed to claim a 19-18 lead at the end of the ugly quarter.

It didn't last. The Pistons finally got rolling, led by backup guard Maurice Evans. He scored 12 of his 14 points in the second period, including a pair of 3-pointers that helped Detroit run away from the hapless Hawks.

NETS 101, 76ERS 90

In Philadelphia, Vince Carter scored 31 points and had 10 assists to lead New Jersey to victory over Philadelphia.

Allen Iverson led the Sixers with 36 points, and Chris Webber had 15.

Iverson came up limping late in the fourth quarter when he appeared to knock knees with Jason Collins on a driving layup. Iverson hobbled around the court, rubbed his right leg, but remained in the game. He did take off for the locker room as soon as the game ended.

PACERS 98, BOBCATS 92

In Indianapolis, Anthony Johnson scored 16 of his career-high 27 points in the second half to help Indiana beat Charlotte.

Johnson also grabbed 10 rebounds and shot 9-for-14 from the field. Stephen Jackson scored 17 points, and Sarunas Jasikevicius and Fred Jones each added 14 for the Pacers.

Brevin Knight had 15 points and 15 assists, and Primoz Brezec and Raymond Felton each scored 15 points for the Bobcats.

MAGIC 106, WIZARDS 98

In Orlando, Fla., Steve Francis had 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his first game back from a two-game suspension to lead Orlando over Washington.

Antawn Jamison had 30 points and 12 rebounds, giving him more than 10,000 career total points.

CELTICS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 96

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead Boston over Minnesota.

Pierce scored 11 consecutive points for the Celtics to spark a 13-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarter and help the Celtics turn a seven-point deficit into a four-point lead.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, DAVID WEST HAD 12 POINTS AND 13 REBOUNDS TO HELP NEW ORLEANS WIN ITS FOURTH IN A ROW.

THE WIN PUSHED THE SURPRISING HORNETS PAST THEIR WIN TOTAL FROM LAST SEASON AND EVENED THEIR RECORD AT 19-19. IT'S THEIR FIRST FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK SINCE DECEMBER 2003.

Mike Miller scored 21 points to lead Memphis, which has lost three games in a row for the second time this season.

In Houston, Dirk Nowitzki scored 13 of his 29 points in a decisive third quarter as Dallas opened a five-game road trip with a win over slumping Houston.

Josh Howard added 18 for the Mavericks, who handed the Rockets their seventh loss in a row both overall and at home.