Pistons stomp Lakers for fifth consecutive win
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Tayshaun Prince scored 20 points and Chris Webber had 18 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 93-78 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Pistons have won five straight – building a two-game lead for the best record in the Eastern Conference – and are 9-2 with Webber in the starting lineup.
Kobe Bryant had 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting and eight turnovers, one short of his career high.
The Pistons built a double-digit lead in the first quarter with crisp ball movement that led to 11 assists on 12 baskets and didn’t have much trouble maintaining the cushion for the rest of the game.
Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace scored 18 and grabbed 10 rebounds.
and Richard Hamilton had 16 points and seven assists. Webber had his third double-double since signing with the Pistons three weeks ago, and scored at least 12 points for the fifth straight game.
Los Angeles had balanced scoring, but much of it came too late.
Ronny Turiaf scored 13, Lamar Odom had 12 points, Smush Parker scored 11 and rookie Jordan Farmar added 10 for the Lakers, who fell to 3-3 on their eight-game road trip.