

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 13 (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons know they are going to eventually lose a game.
They are just enjoying delaying the inevitable as long as possible.
The Pistons routed the Milwaukee Bucks 104-72 Thursday night to move to a 2-0 preseason.
"We were playing well in the preseason and we really wanted to win this game before we go to battle Minny,'' said Richard Hamilton, who led Detroit with 25 points. "We were focused tonight and we really played well.''
Detroit took Milwaukee out right from the opening tip.
"They were the aggressors on both ends of the floor, and we never challenged them,'' Bucks coach Terry Stotts said. "Obviously, we aren't ready to play with a hardworking team like that. They do what they are supposed to do, and we just weren't physical enough for them.''
Tayshaun Prince added 21 points for Detroit, which also got 21 points from Rasheed Wallace and 15 points and 16 rebounds from Ben Wallace.
"This was a very good team effort,'' Prince said. "We wanted to take them out of their tempo by going inside and making the Bucks work for their shots, and we were able to do that.''

Play Of The Game >> Big Ben blocks Redd
Desmond Mason and 1st pick overall Andrew Bogut led Milwaukee with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
"I just don't understand this,'' Mason said. "We've played a good team, but it is hard for me to accept this loss. We've got good players, but our defense just isn't real good.''
Bucks star Michael Redd, who averaged 23.0 points last season, had just seven against Detroit. He shot 2-of-14.
"I spent a lot of time watching tapes to make sure Redd didn't do that to me,'' Hamilton added.
The Pistons took control with a 31-12 first-quarter. Hamilton had ten points, when Prince had nine.
"Getting off to a good start is always going to be a key for us,'' Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "Tonight, that was really good and it let us play from ahead.''
Detroit kept up the pressure with a 29-14 second period, en route to a 60-26 halftime lead. Prince had 14 for the Pistons, while Mason had 11 for the Bucks.
"Anytime you get down by 34 points, it's going to be really tough to come back in this league,'' Jason Williams said. "No good team is going to let you come back from 30 down and win.''


MIL | 12 | 14 | 27 | 19 | 72
DET | 31 | 29 | 28 | 16 | 104
Photo Gallery
Mason had 18 points
Maurice Evans scored 5 points and 4 rebounds for the Pistons
Dale Davis posted 3 rebounds
Billups made this 3 over TJ Ford
Antonio McDyess notched 3 pts. and 3 rebs.
Hamilton with another 3
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