Pistons 100, Pacers 88
Richard Hamilton scored 23 points, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 100-88 win over the visiting Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
Detroit (26-47) used a 21-3 run in the third quarter to break a three-game losing streak and send Indiana (32-42) to its second straight loss. The Pacers' lead over Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference was cut to one game.
Brandon Rush led Indiana with 19 points. Tyler Hansbrough scored 16 while Danny Granger added 14. The Pacers were 7 of 19 from the foul line.
Rodney Stuckey added 16 points while Tayshaun Prince had 13 for Detroit. Charlie Villanueva, who was benched in Friday's loss at Cleveland after exchanging words with coach John Kuester, scored 13 points, all coming in the fourth quarter.
The game was tied 53-53 early in the third quarter when the Pistons took over. Hamilton and Prince both scored seven points in the run. Austin Daye's 3-pointer gave Detroit a 74-56 lead with 2:06 remaining in the quarter.
Hamilton has scored 20 or more points in five of the last eight games.
Pistons guard Tracy McGrady missed the game because of a back injury.