NBA: Detroit 98, Washington 96

WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- Richard Hamilton, out the six previous games with a groin injury, scored 31 points Saturday to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 98-96 win over Washington.

Tayshaun Prince added 19 points for the Pistons, who had lost six of their seven previous games to fall into a tie with Chicago for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Detroit made 10-of-15 3-point shots.

Washington's Gilbert Arenas played for the first time in 16 months, as the former all-star point guard had missed all 73 games this season and played in only 13 in 2007-08 after undergoing three surgeries on his left knee during an 18-month span. He had 15 points and 10 assists, but his potential game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds was blocked by Kwame Brown.

Antawn Jamison had 21 points in Washington's sixth loss in seven games.