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Prince leads balanced attack as Pistons crush Lakers

Feb 9, 2007 - 5:49 AM AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Tayshaun Prince continued to keep the Los Angeles Lakers singing the blues in Motown.

Prince scored 20 points to lead four starters in double figures as the Detroit Pistons completed a season series sweep over the Lakers with a 93-78 victory.

Chris Webber had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Rasheed Wallace added 18 and 10 for Detroit, which has won eight straight home games - including the playoffs - against Los Angeles.

"We were really aggressive defensively," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "We were locked in. Guys were always in a help position. We attacked Kobe (Bryant) off the dribble. We did a good job on the glass and really dictated how the game was going to be played from beginning to end."

"We have not played a good game on this floor in years," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "It's all about matchups, and they aren't good for us against Detroit."

The Pistons (30-18) have won five consecutive contests overall, pushing their advantage in the Eastern Conference to 2 1/2 games over idle Washington.

Prince has dominated the Lakers this season, averaging 25.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. He poured in 31 points during the first matchup on November 10 at the Staples Center.

The frontcourt trio of Prince, Webber and Wallace combined to score 24 first-quarter points as Detroit grabbed a 28-17 lead.

"There aren't too many teams who have great passing big men like Sheed and C-Webb," Prince said. "We're getting the ball to those guys and if they have single coverage they make things happen. If they get doubled, we cut to the basket and we've been doing a good job finding people going to the basket."

Since signing Webber for the remainder of the season, the Pistons improved to 9-3 with the Detroit native in the starting lineup.

"His (Webber) passing really helps them," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "They don't have guys who will beat you one-on-one, but they all pick their spots. They just swing the ball and swing the ball until someone has an open shot, and they all knock them down."

In the third quarter, the Pistons used an impressive 12-5 surge to close the period and extend their advantage to 73-55.

Bryant scored 18 points but committed eight turnovers and Odom chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who fell to 3-3 on their eight-game East Coast swing.

Bryant has struggled recently against Detroit's stellar team defense, shooting a combined 10-of-23 in both meetings this campaign.

"They are great defensively, and they get a little leeway in terms of hitting on the arm and things of that nature, because of their reputations," Bryant said. "Great teams earn that. We haven't played anyone else like that this season. It took a little time to get used to them."

Jackson and Lakers forward Brian Cook were involved in a heated confrontation on the sideline during the third quarter.

"That's out of character for Brian," Jackson said. "Those things happen during a season. I need my players to be emotional."