Wallace a winner over former team as Bulls beat Pistons

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-01-07 14:54

Ben Wallace had 12 points and 14 rebounds in the first game against his former team, as the Chicago Bulls routed the Detroit Pistons 106-89 on Saturday.

Luol Deng led the Bulls with 30 points as Chicago ended a 12-game losing streak to Detroit at home and beat the Pistons for just the third time in their past 17 meetings.

It was a big night for Wallace, who signed with the Bulls as a free agent in the off-season after six seasons with the Pistons. Wallace ended his time in Detroit in bitter fashion and was clearly inspired playing against his former club.

Wallace slapped hands with several of his former team mates before the game and shook hands with coach Flip Saunders, whom he clashed with several times last season.

He then went out and put in one of his best performances of the season since signing a four-year, $60-million contract with the Bulls.

Deng was 11-for-19 from the field and pulled down seven rebounds for the Bulls, who shot 49 percent. Ben Gordon added 23 points for Chicago (20-14), while Andres Nocioni had 21.

Richard Hamilton scored 27 points for the second straight game for the Pistons (19-12), but Detroit shot just 35 percent from the field.

The Pistons were without Chauncey Billups, who missed his third straight game with a strained right calf.

*In Atlanta, Joe Johnson had 27 points as the Hawks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 86-74.

*Drew Gooden had 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat the New Jersey Nets 96-91.

*In Oklahoma City, Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson both had 27 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-93.

*Deron Williams scored 28 points as the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 96-84.



Top Sports News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours