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Mohammed fuels Pistons to victory in preseason opener

Oct 11, 2006 - 4:24 AM SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Ticker) -- For at least for one night, Nazr Mohammed helped the Detroit Pistons forget about Ben Wallace.

Mohammed collected 16 points and eight rebounds as the Pistons posted an 84-64 victory over the Miami Heat in the preseason opener for both teams and a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finals.

The 6-10 center, who signed with Detroit on July 18, has the unenviable task of replacing Wallace in the middle of the Pistons' lineup.

Wallace signed a lucrative four-year contract with the division rival Chicago Bulls in the offseason after providing the defensive backbone to help the Pistons reach two NBA Finals - and win one championship - in the last three seasons.

Mohammed made 5-of-12 shots while adding four steals and two blocks. His seven first-half points helped the Pistons to a 42-32 halftime lead and his follow dunk 1:50 into the third quarter capped a 7-0 run that gave Detroit a 49-32 advantage.

The nine-year veteran had 14 points at the end of three quarters as the Pistons held a 61-46 lead.

Carlos Delfino scored 15 points and Jason Maxiell added 11 for Detroit, which shot 44 percent (31-of-71) from the field while holding Miami to 32 percent shooting (23-of-73).

Jason Kapono led the Heat with 12 points and Dorell Wright had 11 for the defending champions, who played superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade each less than 20 minutes. The two combined for nine points on 3-of-13 shooting and committed seven of Miami's 24 turnovers.

The Heat also played without guard Jason Williams, who underwent right knee surgery in the offseason.