NBA – Pistons win again with Hamilton on the pine

DETROIT (NBA) - Rip Hamilton isn't playing, and the Detroit Pistons are winning.

The veteran guard didn't appear in an eighth straight game for Detroit on Monday night and the Pistons won for the fifth time in seven games by beating Orlando in Florida, 103-96.

Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and Austin Daye poured in 20 points apiece for the Pistons.

Hamilton had been linked in a trade that would have sent him to New Jersey but the deal collapsed lack week.

The player has had strained relations with coach John Kuester, who was apparently rebuffed in his attempt by Hamilton at the weekend when he attempted to patch things up.

"We made overtures and one of the things that's important is he is somebody that is on our team now," Kuester said in the Detroit Free Press.

Hamilton claimed Kuester had sent the team's head of security, Jerry Hendon, to ask the player for a meeting.

"I felt offended that he sent Jerry instead of coming himself or sending an assistant coach," Hamilton said.

"I could tell Jerry was uncomfortable and I said no."

Philadelphia won at home over Phoenix, 105-95, after getting 24 points from Thaddeus Young.

New Jersey defeated Cleveland 103-101 in a battle of strugglers and Memphis also edged Toronto, 100-98.

In the Memphis victory, Team USA's Rudy Gay hit a shot in the last second for Memphis.

With 0.8 seconds left and after a timeout, Toronto inbounded the ball to Sundiata Gaines and Gay blocked his shot as time expired.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 17 points while his fellow Spain international, Jose Calderon, sat out the game for Toronto with flu-like symptoms.

Italy’s Andrea Bargnani poured in 29 points in defeat - the eighth in a row for the Raptors.

The New York Knicks prevailed at Madison Square Garden over Washington, 115-106.

New Orleans edged Oklahoma City 91-89 after getting 20 points from David West.

Chris Paul led the Hornets with 24 points.

Chicago rolled to a 92-83 victory over Milwaukee.

Argentina international Carlos Delfino has returned to the court for the Bucks after missing most of the season with a concussion and he played 31 minutes against the Bulls, whose Carlos Boozer has also returned from injury.

Delfino's fellow Argentinian Luis Scola scored 20 points and grabbed 12 boards for Houston in a 129-125 triumph over Minnesota.

Kevin Love of Team USA made all 11 of his free-throws and finished with 24 points and 17 rebounds.

Sacramento surprised Portland, 96-81, with Tyreke Evans scoring 26 points.

Spain’s Rudy Fernandez was just one of 10 from the field and zero for seven from long range for the Blazers.

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