Behind Rip Hamilton”s 21 points, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 108-82 Sunday to grab a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series. The tough Detroit defense forced 24 Milwaukee turnovers in the contest, and the Pistons turned the ball over just 11 times themselves. In addition to his scoring output, Hamilton chipped in eight assists and four steals.
Six Pistons finished in double figures and three tallied double doubles. Ben Wallace scored 17 points and ripped down 14 rebounds, Rasheed Wallace recorded 17 points and 10 boards, and Tayshaun Prince finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucks were led in scoring by Desmond Mason”s 16 points. Guard Michael Redd was held to only 11 points on 4-10 shooting and was forced into a game-high 7 turnovers.
Game two will take place Wednesday in Detroit.
Sacramento 116, Dallas 105: After a disappointing end to the regular season, the Sacramento Kings started off the playoffs on the right foot, by knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in game one.
Peja Stojakovic led the way with 28 points and eight rebounds. Stojakovic connected on 10 of his 16 field-goal attempts, including 5-10 shooting from beyond the 3-point arch. Chris Webber contributed 26 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Doug Christie added a double double of his own by tallying 21 points and 11 assists. Vlade Divac scored 12 in 19 minutes. The Kings shot 53 percent as a team.
Dallas” Dirk Nowitzki poured in a game-high 32 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and registered five blocks in a losing effort. Antawn Jamison gave the Mavericks 18 points off the bench.
The two teams next meet Tuesday in Sacramento.
Miami 81, New Orleans 79: Rookie Dwayne Wade sank a game-winning pull-up jumper to win game one for the Heat. Wade, the former Marquette star, scored 21 points for the game, along with five rebounds and five assists. Forward Lamar Odom added 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Caron Butler finished with 12 points and five steals for Miami. Off the bench, point guard Rafer ‘Skip 2 My Lou’ Alston gave the Heat 13 points.
The Hornets were paced by Baron Davis” 17 points. Davis also recorded six turnovers, however. Game two takes place in Miami Tuesday.
–compiled from staff reports