Brown falls short in return
The Detroit Pistons hugged former coach Larry Brown before facing him for the first time – and then played like the team that won him his only NBA championship.
Richard Hamilton scored a season-high 40 points to lead Detroit past Brown and the New York Knicks 106-98 Friday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Brown returned to an NBA city he used to call home for the seventh time, but acknowledged this reunion was different.
The Hall of Fame coach was fired in July after insisting publicly he wanted to return. He filled the only void on his resume during a two-year stint in Detroit with his first NBA title in 2004 and came just short of repeating last season.
After the score was tied at halftime, the Pistons outscored New York 24-8 to take an 83-67 lead into the fourth quarter. New York didn’t pose much of a comeback threat after that.
Grizzlies 91, Magic 69: At Memphis, Tenn., Mike Miller scored 25 points in his first game back from a concussion and led Memphis to a win over Orlando for its fourth straight victory.
The Magic played without leading scorer Steve Francis, who traveled to Washington earlier in the day for a second opinion on his bruised chest and left shoulder.
Raptors 102, Hawks 101: At Atlanta, rookie Charlie Villanueva scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 2.5 seconds left, as Toronto ended a six-game losing streak with a win over Atlanta in the matchup of the two worst records in the league.
Bucks 105, Wizards 102: At Washington, Maurice Williams scored 14 of his career-high 32 points in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer, to lead Milwaukee over Washington.
Bulls 106, Celtics 102: At Boston, Luol Deng scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Ben Gordon added 20 points to lead Chicago over Boston.
Hornets 88, 76ers 86: At Oklahoma City, David West scored 22 points, including a tiebreaking layup with 50.4 seconds left, to lift New Orleans over Philadelphia.
Suns 102, Nuggets 97: At Phoenix, reserve Eddie House sparked a fourth-quarter Phoenix rally with nine straight points and the Suns topped Denver for their fifth consecutive win.
Heat 98, Kings 87: At Sacramento, Calif., Dwyane Wade had 27 points and seven assists, Alonzo Mourning blocked seven shots as Miami won its fourth straight over Sacramento.
Pacers 98, Trail Blazers 78: At Portland, Jermaine O’Neal scored 27 points and had 15 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season as Indiana beat Portland.
Timberwolves 113, Lakers 108: At Los Angeles, Wally Szczerbiak scored 34 points, Kevin Garnett added 29, and Minnesota rallied past Los Angeles.
Warriors 107, Bobcats 100: At Oakland, Calif., Baron Davis had 21 points and 14 assists to lead Golden State over Charlotte for its fifth straight win.
Around the league
Portland Trail Blazers forward Ruben Patterson remains on the inactive list after complaining about his playing time but will return to the team, coach Nate McMillan said. … Phoenix Suns forward Brian Grant underwent surgery on his right knee and is expected to be out for three months.