Nets lose, almost out of playoffs

EAST RUTHERFORD Both teams played without a key starter. Richard Hamilton (hip) sat out for Detroit, while Vince Carter (ankle) was sidelined for the Nets. Wallace and Chauncey Billups did return for Detroit after being rested for Tuesday's win in Minnesota.

The victory moved Detroit to the verge of clinching the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons will lock up the No. 2 spot with one win or an Orlando loss.

New Jersey trails Atlanta by four games with six games left in the race for the East's last playoff spot.

Rookie Rodney Stuckey added 14 points and a career-best nine assists for Detroit, which had six players in double figures.

Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 15 points.

Even without Hamilton, the Pistons took control early, taking a 16-6 lead in the first six minutes.

Detroit, which never trailed, only led by five at the end of the first, but outscored New Jersey 30-21 in the second to go up 55-41. The Pistons outrebounded the Nets 25-14 in the half, pulling down as many rebounds on the offensive glass (10) as New Jersey had on defense.

Detroit increased the margin to 81-60 after three quarters and cruised to the easy win.

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