Pistons 99 - Knicks 82

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
January 17, 2003
 
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Cliff Robinson does not grab headlines or make highlights. He just scores, defends and ends up in the playoffs.

Robinson scored 22 points in three quarters as the Detroit Pistons pulled away from the New York Knicks for a 99-82 win Friday night.

Robinson has been in the playoffs in each of his 13 seasons -- with Detroit, Phoenix and Portland -- and probably is headed to there for a 14th time.

John Stockton (18), Karl Malone (17) and Scottie Pippen (15) are the only active players who have been in the playoffs every season for a longer stretch than Robinson.

``He's definitely one of the most underrated players, probably in the history of the league,'' said Detroit's Chauncey Billups, who scored 16 points. ``He's had great years in a number of different places. Once when I was in Denver and he was in Phoenix, he scored 50 and we still talk about that.

``He just knows how to play the game, and is all about winning. He's going to beat you mentally. Athletically, he's not as quick and fast as he was when he first came in the league, and he can't jump as high. But he's smart enough to beat guys in different ways with mind games.''

 
Robinson, averaging 18.5 points over the past eight games, shrugged his shoulders when asked about his recent offensive output.

``I'm just trying to mix it up, and keep guys off balance,'' said Robinson, averaging 13.2 points this season. ``If I have a jump shot, I take it and when those are going down, guys have to come out and play me. And when they come out, I just put it on the floor to make guys aware that I'm capable of beating them inside and out.''

The Pistons turned the game into a blowout with a 16-0 run toward the end of the third quarter to take an 84-59 lead. The huge cushion allowed coach Rick Carlisle to rest his starters in the final quarter.

``I didn't recognize our team tonight simply because we were lethargic,'' New York coach Don Chaney said. ``We didn't move quickly. We didn't get into guys and we had slow feet and as a result, we couldn't buy a basket.

``When you don't stop people and you can't score on the other end, you're in trouble.''

Detroit has won six of eight to move within 1 1/2 games of Indiana in the Central Division. The two teams play a home-and-home series, beginning Saturday at Indiana and continuing Monday in Detroit.

``We're excited and they're going to be excited,'' Robinson said. ``It's developed into a testy rivalry.''

 
New York has lost six of eight.

Kurt Thomas and Shandon Anderson each scored 16 points for the Knicks. Latrell Sprewell scored 11 points, with nine coming in the first 7:23.

The Pistons have often played to the level of their competition this season, but that wasn't the case against the Knicks.

After a close first quarter, the Detroit bench outplayed New York's. The Pistons' starters then put the game away in the third quarter. The Knicks made just 2-of-16 shots, committed five turnovers and were outscored 28-11 in the third.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 16 and reserve Corliss Williamson had 15.

Detroit led 27-25 after a first quarter, which had nine ties and nine lead changes. The Pistons went on a 10-0 run early in the second, and led 52-44 athalftime. Robinson led Detroit with 16 first-half points.

Notes

New York's Alan Houston scored nine points on 3-of-10 shooting after missing the end of Thursday's practice with lower back spasms. ... Detroit's Zeljko Rebraca, who is on the injured list, missed his 12th straight game as the team tries to stabilize his irregular heartbeat with medication. ... Williamson's consecutive free throw streak ended at 23. He made 7-of-9 freethrows.

What do you think? Discuss it in our forums

All articles are copyrighted by the New York Post
All recaps are copyrighted by Yahoo! Sports