2-12 Detroit 92 LA Clippers 74

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Detroit 92 LA Clippers 74

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The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons have won their last six games. They have an even longer streak going against their next opponent.

The Pistons look for their eighth straight win over the Los Angeles Clippers when the teams meet at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Monday for the first time this season.

Detroit (31-18) has not lost to the Clippers since a 74-72 defeat at Staples Center on Nov. 3, 2002. Since then, the Pistons have made two trips to the NBA Finals, winning a title in 2003-04, and are once again leading the way in the East - they defeated Toronto 98-92 on Saturday behind Rasheed Wallace's season-high 28 points and seven rebounds.

NBA

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 12 (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons got the Los Angeles Clippers at the right time, and they knew it.

Chris Webber had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Pistons beat the short-handed Clippers 92-74 Monday night for their seventh straight victory.

The Clippers staggered in for their last stop on a seven-game trip and fell to 8-19 on the road. They were missing Elton Brand, who was a late scratch with back spasms.

"We reminded our guys of all that this morning, before the game, during the game and after the game,'' Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "We've been in that situation too - it isn't easy to be at the end of a trip like that, especially without Elton.''

NBA

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Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy had not produced a single win against the Pistons in six previous tries during his L.A. tenure.

So who could expect much different Monday with Elton Brand, the franchise player, out with back spasms and the Clippers coming to the Palace on the final day of a grueling seven-game, 12-day road trip?

Pistons coach Flip Saunders made sure his team knew how tired the Clippers would likely be.

"Yeah, (we told them) this morning," Saunders said. "Before the game, during the game, at the end of the game. We've all been there, so you know what it's like."

And so the workmanlike Pistons (32-18) predictably won, beating the Clippers, 92-74, to extend their win streak to seven games.

Minus Brand, Clips no match

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AUBURN HILLS -- You had the feeling it would take only one good punch to knock the Clippers down Monday.

They were playing the last of a seven-game, 12-day trip east without leading scorer Elton Brand (back spasms) in a building they hadn't tasted victory in since 2001.

Sure enough, the Pistons hit the Clippers with a 13-3 run to open a 17-point lead at the start of the third quarter and rode that to 92-74 romp.

Pistons run past weary Clippers

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Sports Photo Gallery - Pistons defeat Clippers, 92-74 - The Detroit News Online

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AUBURN HILLS, MICH. — Playing without Elton Brand at the end of a long, disappointing trip, the Clippers figured things would be difficult for them Monday night against the formidable Detroit Pistons.

They were correct.

The Pistons provided a fitting ending to the Clippers' unsuccessful trip in a 92-74 blowout victory in front of a sellout crowd of 22,076 at the Palace.

LA Times

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Photo Gallery

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AUBURN HILLS, MICH. — Because of back spasms, Elton Brand sat out Monday's 92-74 loss to the Detroit Pistons at the Palace.

Brand, who received treatment during pregame warmups, was on the inactive list for the final game of the Clippers' seven-game, 12-day trip — their longest of the season — so he could not have played if his condition had improved during the game.

Rookie forward Paul Davis replaced Brand on the active roster. Brand is listed as day to day.

"He had back spasms in our last game," Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Coming into tonight, I just decided to shut him down if he didn't feel good. He came out and tried it for a couple of minutes, shooting around, and it just didn't feel good."

LA Times

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Pistons got the Clippers at the right time, and they knew it.

Chris Webber had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Pistons beat the short-handed Clippers 92-74 on Monday night for their seventh consecutive victory.

The Clippers staggered in for their last stop on a seven-game trip and fell to 8-19 on the road. They were missing Elton Brand, who was a late scratch with back spasms.

LA Daily News - Clippers end road trip on sour note

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Photo Gallery: 02/12: Clippers vs. Pistons