Pistons’ Reserves Come to the Rescue

The Detroit Pistons’ reserves bailed out the starters.

Zeljko Rebraca scored a season-high 21 points, and Detroit got 58 points from its backups to rally from an early 15-point deficit and beat the New Jersey Nets, 101-91, Sunday at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Corliss Williamson scored 17 points for Detroit in a matchup of last season’s Eastern Conference division champions.

The Piston starters were grateful for the performance of the reserves.

“That’s what our bench does for us,” Ben Wallace said. “They give us a chance to win every night by scoring so many points.”

Detroit has won 15 times in New Jersey’s last 16 visits to the Palace. The Pistons are 8-1 overall against the Nets in the last three seasons.

Sacramento 107, New Orleans 92 -- Chris Webber had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Kings extended their home unbeaten streak to 12 games.

The Kings beat the Hornets for the fifth consecutive time at Arco Arena and won for the eighth time in 11 games overall.

Indiana 107, Philadelphia 97 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 24 points and 16 rebounds at Indianapolis, and the Pacers extended their Eastern Conference-leading record to 18-5.

Allen Iverson led the 76ers with 32 points.

Washington 95, Toronto 82 -- Michael Jordan tied a career-low with two points, but Jerry Stackhouse had 28 points to lead the Wizards at Toronto.

Jordan, 39, had nine assists and eight rebounds, and matched his season high by playing 40 minutes.