NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Beat Hawks With Defense, 97-89

Even without Isiah Thomas, the Detroit Pistons will win games because of their defense.

Bill Laimbeer had 19 points and 14 rebounds Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., to lead the Pistons to a 97-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Pistons are 17-0 in games this season in which the opponent has failed to score 90 points. They are 4-0 against the Hawks and in three of the games the Hawks didn’t reach 90.

The Hawks, who ended an eight-game road losing streak in New York Tuesday night, have won 17 in a row at home, but are 9-18 on the road.

The Hawks led most of the first half and increased the lead to 48-41 in the middle of the third quarter. But Laimbeer and Joe Dumars each scored six points in a 19-4 run that put the Pistons in command.

The Pistons’ defense was so strong the Hawks shot only 38.5% from the field. Dominique Wilkins, who had 19 points, was six for 17.

Cleveland 118, Sacramento 104--Brad Daugherty scored 10 of his 24 points in the third quarter at Richfield, Ohio, to help the Cavaliers break open a close game.

Despite a career-high 41 points by Antoine Carr, the Kings fell to 1-24 on the road. Three days ago at Indiana, Carr had his previous high, 35.

Golden State 108, Minnesota 105--Tim Hardaway sank a three-pointer with three seconds left at Minneapolis to give the Warriors the victory.

Hardaway, who scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, made two three-pointers in the last 78 seconds after the Warriors made only one of their first 11.

Indiana 122, Orlando 120--Detlef Schrempf’s reverse layup with one second remaining in overtime at Orlando gave the Pacers their fourth win in a row.

Reggie Miller had 34 points for the Pacers.

Chuck Person, who threw the ball away with a chance to win it in the closing seconds of regulation, made a three-point shot with one minute left in overtime to tie it, 120-120.