RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Michael Dickerson returned to
Vancouver's lineup and the Grizzlies' defense suddenly became
stingy.
Dickerson returned after missing eight games because of an ankle
sprain, and Vancouver shut down high-scoring Jerry Stackhouse as
the Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons 91-83 on Tuesday night.
Stackhouse, who entered the game tied with Los Angeles' Kobe
Bryant for the league scoring lead with 28.4 points per game, was
held to 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
The Grizzlies won for the third time in their last 11 starts.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Detroit. It was
also the lowest point output of the season by Stackhouse, who had
been held to fewer than 20 points in two of his previous 16 games.
He did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter and finished with a
season-high 11 assists.
"Obviously, we're a different club when Dickerson is in the
lineup," Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe said.
"When Stackhouse comes at you, Michael can go right back at
him, so Stack had to play some defense. I thought (reserve guard)
Doug West did a good job, and the big guys did a good job of coming
at him and forcing (Stackhouse) to get rid of the ball."
Pistons coach George Irvine saw the Grizzlies' defensive tactics
somewhat differently.
"Well, when they're double and triple-teaming him, he's got no
choice but to pass," said Irvine of Stackhouse. "And when our
league continues to not enforce illegal defense, it makes it tough.
The problem is (the Grizzlies) didn't come at him real hard. The
rule states if you're coming from the weak side it has to be an
aggressive double team, not one which lingers over there. Sometimes
it is and sometimes it isn't."
"I can't say we need to play harder or smarter," said
Stackhouse. "That team just beat us tonight."
Dickerson, who scored 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting for
Vancouver, was aided defensively by the center combination of Ike
Austin and Bryant Reeves.
Reeves' two rebounds and four free throws late in the fourth
quarter sealed the victory.
"I think the key was keeping the ball out of Stackhouse's
hands," said Dickerson. "The team played together tonight. We
showed what we could do in the beginning of the season. It's just
that we've got to believe in the coach and believe in the system."
Reeves, who lost his starting spot to Austin, finished with 10
points and six rebounds.
Austin gave the Grizzlies a strong start, with 15 points and 10
rebounds in the contest. Vancouver was led by Shareef Abdur-Rahim's
18 points.
Vancouver point guard Mike Bibby matched his season-high with 12
assists.
Chucky Atkins scored 13 points for Detroit.
Game notes
Detroit veteran Billy Owens, who missed nine games with
back spasms, was activated before the game. John Wallace (knee) was
placed on the injured list. The Grizzlies made room for Dickerson
by placing guard Kevin Edwards on the injured list. Edwards played
the previous two games for Vancouver with a fractured left thumb.
... Detroit continues its four-game trip Wednesday in Seattle. The
Grizzlies play in Utah on Thursday.
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NBA Scoreboard
Detroit Clubhouse
Vancouver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 88
New Jersey 64
Miami 100
Atlanta 92
Cleveland 71
Charlotte 66
Orlando 101
Boston 98
Minnesota 100
Chicago 90
Sacramento 81
San Antonio 75
Houston 109
Dallas 102
Utah 98
Toronto 84
Vancouver 91
Detroit 83
LA Lakers 96
Philadelphia 85
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